The immediate future of Madeleine McCann’s parents lies in the hands of a judge who has been in his post for less than a month.

For Pedro Daniel dos Anjos Frias, 38, being appointed to a role overseeing police investigations in southern Portugal was simply the next step in his highly successful career. Yesterday the criminal instructional judge treated the McCanns’ case as business as usual.

In his offices in the imposing modern building that houses the Portimão tribunal, he ruled that two Romanian men accused of burglary should be released before ordering that blinds be installed to stop the media camped outside from peering into his offices.

He then sifted through the ten box files handed to him this week by the district attorney, José de Magalhães e Menezes. He had earlier rubber-stamped an urgent appeal from the public prosecutor to allow police access to Mrs McCann’s diary.

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He will also be required to approve any moves by the police to carry out bugging and change the terms of the couple’s conditions of residence, among other things. His role will include deciding what, if anything, can be admissible in a case against the couple.

Next Wednesday he may make a ruling on whether the McCanns should be arrested and charged. Alternatively he could clear them as suspects, have their conditions of residence amended or simply allow the police more time to continue their investigation.

Judge Frias, who is renowned for his diligence, has considered the unusual step of talking to the media, but it is unlikely that his bosses will allow him to do so before next week’s ruling.Some lawyers, particularly defence barristers, are said to be daunted by his businesslike manner. Others are said to feel that he can be aloof.

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