It's time to stop looking for Maddie McCann: Top cop
A top UK police boss has said it’s time to stop looking for Madeleine McCann, according to reports.
The Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, John Tully, suggested it was time to wind the investigation up.
“It’s time to re-focus on what we need to to to keep London safe. We no longer have the resources to conduct specialist inquiries all over the world which have nothing to do with London,” he said.
"The Met has long been seen as the last resort for investigations others have struggled with elsewhere. It is surprising to see an inquiry like the McCann investigation ring-fenced. I’ve heard a few rumblings of discontent about it from lots of sources,” Chairman Tullly added.
Maddie went missing in Praia da Luz in Portugal in May 2007 while her parents ate at a restaurant nearby.
A correspondent who has reported on the case for the last eight years has written a column in support of the Chairman’s comments.
Reporter David Jones said the comments had sparked heated debate on the subject but that he ultimately agreed with him.
“Many have praised him for having the courage to voice the unsayable truth. With a very heavy heart, I must say I agree with them,” he said.
He pointed to little progress in the “hugely expensive and protracted police investigation” and the growing need to invest in resources to combat terrorism in London.
The cost of the investigation has been around $17 million so far.
