Divers are not police

Madeleine McCann's grandfather is clinging to the hope she will be found alive as divers continue their search of a reservoir in Portugal.

The frogmen are trawling for clues in Silves, 40 miles from where the British girl vanished in Praia da Luz.

But Brian Healey, 67, said: "They haven't found anything yet. We have to believe a miracle can happen.

"I still believe she is alive and, until someone tells me different, I will believe."

The divers are not police officers and detectives have already checked the reservoir and ruled it out.

The current search is being paid for by a Portuguese lawyer who claims to have underworld contacts.

Mr Healey spoke out after Portugal's top policeman said Kate and Gerry McCann had been made suspects - or arguidos - too readily.

The grandfather from Liverpool said he was pleased Policia Judiciaria national director Alipio Rebeiro claimed detectives were hasty in giving the couple arguido status.

But Mr Healey feared the Portuguese police would still not clear them following Mr Rebeiro's remarks.

He said: "I am glad he has said it, it will get things moving to reinstate the fact they're innocent.

"The sooner the arguido status is taken off them the better, but I don't know if they will. But it is moving in the right direction."