DETECTIVES were last night plotting to seize Madeleine McCann’s precious Cuddle Cat toy from her mum.

The Portuguese cops believe forensic tests on the pink animal can yield vital clues to the fate of the four-year-old.

They also asked a judge yesterday to let them take mum Kate’s DIARIES, dad Gerry’s LAPTOP computer — plus LETTERS and other personal items.

Last night an aunt raged: “It’s mental cruelty.” GP Kate, 39, has carried Cuddle Cat almost constantly since little Maddie vanished from the family’s Algarve holiday apartment in Praia da Luz more than four months ago.

It was believed that the soft toy had already been forensically examined — but Maddie’s aunt Philomena, 43, revealed it had not. She blasted: “Everything with the Portuguese police is an afterthought. It’s a disgrace — to Kate that cat is a constant reminder of Madeleine.”

Cops — who suspect Maddie is dead and that Kate and Gerry, 39, were involved — asked the judge to use emergency powers for the seizures. His ruling is due today.