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From sky news

Police Chief Attacks Kate And Gerry
Updated: 22:55, Friday September 21, 2007

Kate and Gerry McCann have hindered the investigation into their daughter's disappearance, says the man in charge of the Portuguese police federation.

McCanns criticisedCarlos Anjos, head of Asfic, said future interrogation of the couple was effectively pointless because they would, as is their right, refuse to speak.

And he warned the investigation into Madeleine, who was three when she was reported missing, could end up taking a "very long time".

A spokesman for the McCanns dismissed claims they were using their right to silence to withhold co-operation with police.

Mr Anjos said a "difficult and complex case" was "made worse by [the parent's] attitude".

He also said Kate and Gerry had told the portuguese police they would be making no further statements towards the investigation.

Claims that the McCanns were hampering the Portuguese police's search for Madeleine were dismissed by the appointed spokesman for the couple, Clarence Mitchell.

Mr Mitchell said: "We are not prepared to comment on Mr Anjos's remarks but Kate and Gerry have always said they are willing to return to Portugal at any time to help the police with their investigations."

Mr Anjos also said police progress remained slow.

"This case is here for a long time because there is no apparent motive and it will be very difficult to prove if it was homicide if Madeleine's body is not found," he said.

Detectives in the Algarve are reportedly working on the theory that Kate McCann may have accidentally killed Madeleine and relied on her husband, Gerry, to help cover it up.