A Portuguese laundry worker who was working at the resort from where Madeleine McCann disappeared has this week spoken about a “weird” stranger lurking in a dark stairwell a day earlier.

Mário Fernando Madeira Marreiros (47) told the Mirror this week that his testimony was ignored by Portuguese investigators. 

He says he made the sighting the night before Madeleine’s disappearance as he went to collect dirty laundry. 

“I saw the weird guy and we nearly bumped into each other. He was embarrassed. He looked nervous.”  

Mário Fernando continues that the man had “a really fat face” and that he wore “two-tone sunglasses”.

“There was no reason for him to be there and no reason to wear the glasses as it was dark under the stairs”, he told the Mirror.

“My theory is that guy must have been involved, either in the kidnapping or studying what to do – their movements.” 

The divorcee has urged British detectives to contact him. 

In his initial testimony given five days after her disappearance, and which is available at http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/MARIO_MARREIROS.htm  he told investigators that he did not know “of anything suspicious that could be related to the events.” 

Earlier in May, it emerged that British police were eager to question a series of individuals who may be “of interest” in the case of Madeleine McCann who went missing in Praia da Luz in the Algarve just over six years ago. 

Scotland Yard said at the time that it would like to question a list of “about 20 people” who might lead to solving what is one of the greatest ever unsolved missing persons’ mysteries. 

Detective chief superintendent Hamish Campbell, head of Scotland Yard’s homicide and serious crime command, revealed British police investigating the case in the ambit of Operation Grange, believe they could get closer to the truth should they be afforded the opportunity of speaking to these “person’s of interest”. 

“The purpose of the review was to look at the case with fresh eyes and there is always real benefit in doing so. The review has further identified both investigative and forensic opportunities to support the Portuguese”, Campbell said in a statement. 

“There is more than a handful of people of interest which could be explored further if only to be eliminated. 

“The key things are to investigate the case and our work is happening to support the Portuguese.”

Portuguese PJ police have since stated they have nothing to add to Campbell’s comments, and have reminded national media that the case remains closed and has been since 2008.

OFFICIAL INQUIRY FILES and DOCUMENTS MARIO FERNANDO MADEIRA MARREIROS

LAUNDRY 08 MAY 07 

03-Processos Vol III Pages 555-557 Witness statement of Mario Fernando Madeira Fernandes 2007.05.08

06 -Processo - Page 1659  is for the OC handyman Moreiras  "Luz Ocean Club

Witness Statement

Date: 2007/05/08

Mario Fernando Madeira Marreiros

Occupation: Laundry worker

Place of Work: OC

He has worked at the OC since the 5th March 2007 as a laundry worker as well as the driver of the laundry vehicles of the resort, delivering and collecting laundry (towels and sheets) from the apartments that make up the resort.

With relation to the events being investigated he states that on 4th May 2007, upon arriving at work at about 10.00 he saw that next to an apartment block there were various cars and police as well as members of the press, which he found strange.

Later, when he arrived at his place of work he was informed by colleagues that this "apparatus" was due to the disappearance of a little girl who had been staying at the resort.

He was informed that the girl was three years old, of British nationality and he observed that posters with her photograph and details were already up, with indications to follow in the case of information about her disappearance. 

When questioned he said that he did not know the girl or her family, only having heard about them after the event.

When questioned about the day of the disappearance (03 May 2007) of the girl whose name he does not remember, he says he carried out his normal routine, arriving at his place of work at about 10.00, with a lunch break from 13.00 to 14.30, returning to work until 18.00. After work he returned home where he stayed with his wife until 21.30 when he went alone by car to Barao de Sao Joao, where his step son works.

After having picked up his step son he returned home where he stayed until the following day when he left for work. 

He only knew about the events from the press and from his colleagues. 

He knows nothing more apart from that the girl was on holiday with her family and twin siblings as he was informed later.

He does not know of anything suspicious that could be related to the events. 

Reads, ratifies, signs