Appeal To Holidaymakers Over Madeleine

Tourists who stayed at the resort from where Madeleine McCann disappeared have reportedly been asked to provide DNA samples and fingerprints.

British police are said to have made the appeal after Portuguese detectives failed to identify a number of samples found at the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz.
Superintendent Stuart Prior, who is co-ordinating the investigation in Britain, has written to holidaymakers requesting help, a newspaper claimed.
But a spokeswoman for Leicestershire Constabulary would not confirm whether Supt Prior had issued such an appeal.
She also would not say if there had been any attempt to interview former guests.

A report in The Times said the letter explained that Portuguese detectives had drawn a blank on a number of samples recovered from the resort, including some taken from the McCanns' apartment.
Supt Prior is said to have told tourists in the letter: "I have now been asked by the Portuguese investigation team to arrange for DNA samples and fingerprints to be taken from holidaymakers living in the UK who were staying at the Ocean Club Resort."
He goes on to emphasise that the request is "routine practice", the newspaper reported.
The development comes a month after Kate and Gerry McCann were named as suspects over the disappearance of their daughter.

Fresh Madeleine Appeal 09/10/07

Gerry and Kate McCann are launching a new campaign to find their daughter. They will focus on the remotest mountain villages in Morocco, Portugal and Spain to reach those who have never heard of the missing girl. Their spokesman speaks to Sky News Online.

Watch full screen
Watch in video player page