Second Madeleine Cop Off The Case

The second-in-command in the Madeleine McCann inquiry team has asked for an extended leave of absence, Sky News has learned.

The move comes just days after the police officer leading the investigation was sacked.

Sky News has been told that Chief Inspector Tavares Almeida has asked for the leave.

Portuguese police would not say why the request had been made or when he would return to work.

But the request was made before Gonçalo Amaral was dismissed, it is understood.

Mr Amaral was reportedly sacked as the regional Policia Judiciaria (PJ) in Portimao after accusing her parents of manipulating the British police.

A successor will be named on Monday to take over the enquiry team, said the police chief in Lisbon, Alipio Ribeiro.

Mr Amaral got his marching orders after accusing Kate and Gerry McCann of calling the shots by identifying the lines of inquiry Leicestershire Police should take.

He said British officers had overlooked the fact that the couple remain suspects.

And he accused the McCanns of releasing new information each day in an attempt to distract and confuse the inquiry.

Sky's Ian Woods said there was resentment among Portuguese police that they were being made out to be incompetent and "bumbling".

He added that Mr Amaral was also under investigation following allegations he had put pressure on a suspect in a previous murder inquiry.