More funds needed to keep Madeleine McCann investigation open

Madeleine McCann’s parents have been offered fresh hope after the Metropolitan Police called for more funds to keep the investigation alive.

The probe has already racked up bills of more than £11 million to find the missing girl, who vanished from the family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007, aged three.

Funding for the investigation, dubbed Operation Grange, is due to run out at the end of September and now the Met have asked the Government for more money.

The Home Office confirmed the application will be considered.

A spokesman said: “The Home Office has provided funding to the Metropolitan Police for Operation Grange and the resources required are reviewed regularly with careful consideration given before any new funding is allocated.”

Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, from Rothley, Leicestershire, have vowed to never give up hope of finding their daughter.

The family spokesman said: “Naturally, Kate and Gerry hope the Met request is granted.

“They are encouraged that there remains work to be done that requires extra funding and they remain very grateful to all Operation Grange officers who are continuing to look for their daughter.”

Since 2011, the Met Police have been assisting with the search for clues about what happened to Madeleine, with officers visiting the holiday resort in 2014.

In March, the Home Office granted officers £85,000 to cover “operational costs” to continue with the investigation, between April and September this year.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Funding is in place until the end of September. Any details about future funding will be released when appropriate.