KATE McCann and three friends discussed child-snatchers hours before daughter Madeleine disappeared, it has emerged.

Dr Russell O'Brien, one of the so-called Tapas Seven, told police of the ?haunting? conversation had while on holiday in Portugal last year.

He said it came up after another father said he felt awkward photographing his own child.

Dr O'Brien, 37, was with his partner Jane Tanner, 37, Rachel Oldfield, 37, and Kate, 40.

He said: ?We then had a conversation about the ludicrous pressure on parents that they can't take photos of their children.

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?The other aspect of the conversation, which is doubly haunting, was that we said, You're far more likely to get clobbered by your uncle or your neighbour than some random stranger?.

?Since this happened ten or 11 hours before Madeleine was abducted, it seemed a very uncomfortable coincidence.?

The doctor, of Exeter, Devon, made his comments in April as he was quizzed by British cops at the request of the Portuguese authorities.

The interviews are in documents seen by The Sun.

Maddie was snatched in Praia da Luz on May 3 last year, days before her fourth birthday.