As a Portuguese citizen living and working (and paying taxes) in the UK I have watched the case closely enough to realise how the British voyeurism is driving everyone mad. In fact, I think the Portuguese police might as well handle the case over to the British tabloids that seem to be such reliable sources of information(!). The British are always so desperate to know what goes on that when confronted with a judicial system that ensures people's privacy, they just get hysterically annoyed and seemingly lost. No big headlines to fulfill their miserable little lives. My recommendation is: get on with your own lives. This is not actually your business.

P.S. How many abbucted children have the British authorities managed to track down?

Patricia Melo, Portsmouth, Hampshire

I really hope the police in portugal are barking up the wrong tree all together, As a father of three young children and now living in the Algarve, I find the behaviour and attitude of the portugal authorities, police, media and some people, disgusting. British people and British money keep the Algarve alive, without the Brits the algarve would be just like the rest of Portugal a underdeveloped nation. I think that Brits may start to rethink investing in the Algarve and spending money on hotels, golf and leisure.

I hope its not too long before these allegations are dropped and we can refocus on finding out where maddie is. The police force in portugal will be a world wide joke !

Michael, Algarve, Portugal

I cannot believe what is happening with this tragedy now. If you had murdered your daughter would you stay where it happened voluntarily for 4 months? Would you travel around Europe raising the profile of the case? I think the Portuguese police are out of their depth with all the attention and are grasping at thin air! I can't imagine the pain the McCanns must be feeling with their daughter abducted, let alone having this latest cruel twist held over them.

Wilkinson, London,

Surely no-one actually believes this possible? I dont like it. But the true is that the police found evidence on MacCanns.
We think that something at the circumstances and something at MacCann behaviour that open the attention of british police who pass to Portuguese police.
In fact the british police has more experience than the Portuguese on matter. Only the scenario was Portuguese.
At this case the police didn’t investigate the parents because there are british, turists, and doctors.
“Foud the body” says from Gerry MacCann to the law. This reaction from a father, is very shocking. Sound liks he dont care. But as Gerry as doctor knows, if you found a head or something else important of the body, you know that is already dead. Other way, if a body fluid is found and that fluid is identified as coming from a dead body in process of decomposition, its enough.

Jorge Lencastre, Coimbra, Plortugal

I have never read and heard as much nonsense regarding Kate and Gerry's involvement with the disappearance of Maddy.When they first appeared on TV pleading for Maddy's return, there wasn't a dry eye in my home.The poor couple were traumatised. Please please let some proper professional detectives and forensic experts deal with this investigation and not some amateur cops whose concern is to keep a holiday resort open. Their attitude to this family is deplorable, and wee Maddy needs to be found.

E Gibb, Bellshill, Scotland

And so, the smart doctor did not think this vital piece of evidence needed to be handed over, but instead should be carried around with her continuously. And, after it was examined, it needed a good old wash four days later, because it was 'dirty', nevermind that she was washing away, symbolically, Madeleine's connections to it.

Hiring Pinochet's lawyer because of possibly fighting extradition, all this stuff just looks so high-concept. If the family have such good media advisors, they should realise how retaining the services of such a lawyer looks.

Jason Kennedy, Antigua, guatemala

God help Portugal if their police have got this wrong.

kathryn, Derby UK,

Cuddle cat was indeed the reasons Mrs McCann maintained Madeleine had been abducted, as it had been placed on a ledge out of her reach.
So it is very important t the investigation. I have no doubt Mrs McCann had pointed this out to the police, but they gave it back to her, since she was holding on to it at the time of the first conference.
Must be able to do quick forensics ?

Blake, Bath, Somerset

The portuguese are ridiculous; if they have such secrecy surrounding their investigations then how comes sources close to the police have constantly leaked news to the media? Why is no one questioning this?
How can they be so sure Madeliene has died? Where is the body? If there were exact matches of DNA found in the car how comes the McCanns were still using the car until they left Portugal? I feel someone high up is invoved in Madeliene's abduction and now wants the McCanns out of the way.

Azra Awan, Muiddlesex, UK

Surely no-one actually believes this possible? It seems so ridiculous, so false, so unecessary to worsen this poor family's pain. Are other possibilities still being looked into with regards to Madeline's abduction or are the PJ putting all their eggs in one basket?

AC, Bridgwater, uk