THE parents of Madeleine McCann yesterday insisted they did not give their four-year-old daughter - and her younger brother and sister - sedatives on the night she disappeared.

Gerry and Kate McCann were said to be considering legal action against the "hurtful" claims.

The couple's lawyers are studying speculation in the Portuguese press that tests on evidence carried out in the UK suggest their elder daughter, and twins Sean and Amelie, were given the drugs on 3 May, the day Madeleine disappeared.

Clarence Mitchell, the family's spokesman, said: "Contrary to renewed speculation in the Portuguese press, Gerry and Kate McCann wish to make it categorically clear that they have never used sedatives on their children.

"To suggest otherwise is as outrageous as it is hurtful."

According to Portuguese newspaper 24 Horas, a local police source said the conclusion came from preliminary results from tests conducted at the Forensic Science Service laboratory in Birmingham last month.

The Forensic Science Service would not comment.

The speculation came as it emerged the police team investigating Madeleine's disappearance is now down to six from the 100 officers assigned to the case when she first went missing.

The team now comprises five detectives and a chief inspector. Officials said the resizing was normal in investigations where the missing person was not found quickly.