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An online petition calling for a full review of the evidence surrounding
Madeleine
McCann's
disappearance is nearing the 50,000-signature
milestone.
Kate and
Gerry McCann launched the petition in November because they
felt the authorities had given up searching for their daughter, who went
missing in Portugal four years ago.
The McCanns, from Rothley, had intended to present the petition to the
Portuguese and British governments when 50,000 people had backed them.
Now, however, with the figure standing at nearly 48,800 names and the
anniversary of her disappearance approaching, they have decided to let
it run.
Their spokesman,
Clarence Mitchell, said: "It was always
loosely the intention to present it at 50,000 and, although it will be
done soon, it will continue for the time being.
"There are also tens of thousands of signatures, many from Rothley, on
paper copies that have yet to be collated and when they are factored in
the figure will be well over 50,000.
"When it is handed in, they hope it will inject some more urgency into
the search for Madeleine.
"Kate and Gerry are delighted and grateful for the support they continue
to receive."
Madeleine was three when she disappeared from her family's holiday flat
in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, on May 3,
2007, as her parents dined nearby.
A massive search was launched but the McCanns said only their team of
private investigators
was now searching for their daughter.
Mr Mitchell said the family was preparing for the launch of a
book about
the disappearance, written largely by Kate.
It is to be released on May 12 – Madeleine's eighth birthday.
He said: "There is a hope the book itself will help give another push in
the search for Madeleine."
Publisher Transworld paid the McCanns a substantial but undisclosed sum
as an advance on the book, entitled Madeleine. It is also likely to
result in a lucrative newspaper serialisation deal.
Mr Mitchell said: "The money from the book is being entirely used to
fund the search for her.
"The pot had dropped to between £100,000 and £200,000 last year and
would have run out in the autumn.
"It means there should be enough to keep the search going for at least
another year." |
