McCanns win battle for Madeleine files

THE parents of Madeleine McCann today won their battle to see key evidence held by the police relating to their daughter’s disappearance.

Madeleine McCann has been missing for 14 months Madeleine McCann has been missing for 14 months

Kate and Gerry McCann withdrew their High Court bid to force police to hand over the information after detectives agreed to release a limited number of the documents.

Leicestershire police - who have been involved in the search since Madeleine went missing on the 3rd May 2007 - confirmed they would be able to see 81 pieces of information relating to the Madeleine search.

The couple, both 40, are expected to hand them over to their team of private investigators who are still searching for Madeleine, who vanished 14 months ago.

Kate and Gerry, who were not present at today's hearing in London, were said to be content to withdraw the case as they wanted to avoid legal conflict with the police in their bid for new information on their missing daughter.

I hope she will be found soon, alive and well

Mrs Justice Hogg

Their spokesman Clarence Mitchell, speaking on the steps of the High Court in London, welcomed today's decision.

The news will bring fresh hope to the couple after the Portuguese media reported last week the investigation would be closed due to a lack of evidence.

 Judge Mrs Justice Hogg said: “There is, of course, one person who knows what has happened to Madeleine and where she may be found.

“I ponder about that person - whether that person has a heart and might understand what it must be like for Madeleine to have been taken and secreted from her parents and siblings and those she loved and felt secure with.

“I ponder whether that person has a conscience or any feeling of guilt or remorse or even cares about the hurt that has been caused to an innocent little girl, and whether that person has a faith or belief and what explanation or justification they might give to God.

“I entreat that person, whoever they may be, to show mercy and compassion and come forward now and tell us where Madeleine is to be found.

“I hope she will be found soon, alive and well.”

The judge urged anyone with information about the missing girl to come forward.

Madeleine, then just three, vanished from the family's holiday apartment in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz on May 3 last year.

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