The father of missing three-year-old Madeleine McCann tonight made a fresh emotional plea for help in tracing his daughter. 

Following criticism of aspects of how the case had been handled he also expressed the family’s thanks to the police for their efforts.

Appearing before a bank of cameras and a crowd of reporters Dr McCann stood arm in arm with his wife Kate who was again clutching a pink teddy bear as she was last night when the family were first seen in public following the disappearance which police are now treating as an abduction.

Moments before making his statement, Dr McCann appeared first alone before returning to the family’s temporary holiday apartment and re-emerging arm in arm with his wife.

He said: “First of all we would like to thank everyone here in Portugal, the UK and elsewhere for all your support during this extremely difficult time for our family.

“We are pleased that the family liaison officers from Leicestershire are now working closely with the Portuguese Police in keeping us informed.

“We have no further information regarding the investigation but appreciate the significant effort everyone is making on our behalf.

“We would again like to appeal for any information, however small, that may lead to the safe return of Madeleine.

“Finally we would like to thank the media for respecting our privacy especially that of Madeleine’s little brother and sister.”