Man quizzed over missing Madeleine

Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are interviewing a man as they searched a villa 160 yards from where she was snatched.

Intense police activity surrounded the house lived in by British man Robert Murat.

Murat's mother Jenny, who is believed to own the house, has been running a stall on the seafront in the village of Praia da Luz, Portugal, appealing for information from members of the public about Madeleine's disappearance.

Murat was a regular sight crossing the police tape and approaching the McCanns' apartment following Madeleine's disappearance.

He said he was helping the McCanns as a translator. But journalists told police earlier this week that they had suspicions about him.

The Policia Judiciara confirmed that they were questioning a man. A spokesman for the investigation did not confirm the nationality or identity of the person and described it as a "normal development".

On May 4, the day after Madeleine's disappearance when media descended upon the area, Murat made himself known to journalists, chatting about the case but refusing to reveal what his role was initially. He told people that he had a daughter the same age as Madeleine.

A few days later Sunday Mirror journalist Lori Campbell reported him to the Portuguese police because she thought he was suspicious. She said: "Basically he surfaced on Friday afternoon last week and was walking around as if he was somebody official. He claimed that he was just a local guy who spoke fluent Portuguese and English and was helping the family. He was coming in and out of the family apartment speaking with the media and acting like he was somebody official. But when questioned about it, he was very vague about his position. He said he just volunteered to help the police with their investigation."

Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa said that more than one person had been taken to the police building in Portimao to make statements. He emphasised that the people had not been arrested.

The operation began as early as 7am, it is understood. Men in white suits with facemasks were seen entering the house, where a swimming pool was said to have been drained.