The investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has been completed by Portuguese police amid reports that no evidence has been found against her parents.

The Portuguese Attorney-General confirmed yesterday that prosecutors had received the final police report and would now consider if the investigation should be closed.

Kate and Gerry McCann were awaiting official confirmation of the decision and insisted that they would “never give up searching” for their daughter who vanished last May from the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz.

The couple, from Rothley. Leicestershire, and British father Robert Murat hope they will now be cleared as arguidos, official suspects, following the end of the 14 month police investigation.

Madeleine McCann: the key questions

Why are the "Tapas 9" key to solving the Madeleine mystery?

Related Internet Links

• The latest full coverage of Madeleine McCann

BACKGROUND

• McCanns consider interview bids

• Madeleine McCann: the global reaction

• The forgotten victim in the McCann case

Multimedia

• Pictures: searching for Madeleine

• Video: McCann family start holiday

Related Links

• Madeleine McCann: the key questions

• Police to open up Maddy evidence files

• Papers reveal McCann neglect probe

Fernando Pinto Monteiro, the Portuguese Attorney-General, said that prosecutors will examine the final police report before deciding whether to end the investigation or order further inquiries.

Officials will “determine whether further inquiries are needed or whether the conditions are in place for the investigation to be closed,” he said in a statement.

Clarence Mitchell, the McCann’s spokesman, said: “If the reports are true, it is to be welcomed that no charges are to be brought and it is entirely right because Kate and Gerry are innocent of any involvement in their daughter’s disappearance and always have been.”

He called for the couple’s status as arguidos, official suspects, to be lifted but urged police not to leave the investigation files to “gather dust”.

“They have suffered for far too long in this process and the Portuguese authorities must now lift their arguido status,” he said.

Mr Mitchell urged the Portuguese police to continue their investigations into Madeleine’s disappearance.

“The police themselves must continue looking for Madeleine. We are concerned that if they are to simply shelve the case then what will happen to all of the information in their files?

“The information in their files surely cannot sit on the shelf gathering dust. Kate and Gerry will never give up searching for their daughter.”

Times Recommends

• Rio Tinto four held as China prepares case
• Diplomats must keep heads down and trousers up
• When in Rome should one make like Berlusconi?