MADELEINE McCann may have been abducted and passed on to a paedophile gang, according to one of Europe's leading politicians.

The scenario, which the girl's parents have described as "more upsetting than any other" has been outlined by Germany's Justice Minister, Brigitte Zypries.

Until now, no one has officially commented on the fear that four-year-old Madeleine, snatched from her holiday apartment in Portugal 31 days ago, may be in the hands of a child sex ring. But, in a briefing at a meeting of G8 justice ministers in Munich, Zypries said: "We simply have to assume that this was done by a gang that passes on these children to be exploited.

"It would seem to be connected to some kind of gang, who pass on children in order to be abused."

German police have recently been involved in smashing a major paedophile ring with links throughout Europe.

Madeleine was taken from the apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz on May 3 after her parents had left her sleeping with her two-year-old twin brother and sister while they ate at a nearby restaurant.

Last week, Gerry and Kate McCann, both doctors, continued their global media campaign to get their daughter back by meeting the Pope during a visit to the Vatican.

On Wednesday, they will fly to Berlin before heading on to Amsterdam and then Morocco to try to keep the story in the headlines.

Yesterday, the couple, who live in Leicestershire, took a step back from the media spotlight and concentrated on twins Sean and Amelie, taking them to the beach.

On Friday, they acknowledged they had considered the possibility that their daughter might be in the hands of a paedophile gang. But they insisted their hope was that she was still alive and being looked after by a childless couple who would do her no harm.

Portuguese police, the Policia Judiciara, are continuing to examine hundreds of DNA samples taken from the McCanns' holiday apartment.

Evidence of a mystery sixth person was found in the bedroom where the little girl was sleeping.

Police are trying to identify the profile, but it is not thought to match that of chief suspect Robert Murat.