Madeleine McCann (PA)

The friends of the McCanns who allegedly want to alter their accounts of the night Madeleine vanished were named yesterday.

Newspaper 24 Horas said Dr Russell O'Brien and his partner Jane Tanner had contacted police to "correct" their statements.

Detectives leading the six month probe into the missing four-year-old said the move could lead to a major breakthrough.

A source was quoted as saying: "The investigation could be changed dramatically if the two witnesses decide to clarify what happened."

The paper said that Dr O'Brien, 36, and Ms Tanner, 37 - part of the socalled Tapas Nine - asked to be seen anonymously for fear of pressure by Kate and Gerry McCann's supporters.

Ms Tanner commented: "I'm sorry, I don't want to say anything."

But 24 Horas claimed the couple, from Exeter, Devon, want to change key parts of their statements - which could include Ms Tanner saying she saw a man carrying a child from the Ocean Club on May 3.

The paper said police were now certain she had not left the poolside restaurant during dinner.

Detectives have also queried Dr O'Brien's statement, including why he was absent from the meal for up to 45 minutes.

Other alleged "inconsistencies" include how much wine they had and childcare arrangements.

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Kate and Gerry's spokesman Clarence Mitchell furiously denied Dr O'Brien and Ms Tanner had contacted the police.

He said: "They are categorically not the couple. There is no couple."