Gerry and Kate McCann have been speaking to MEPs

After months of secrecy, Kate and Gerry McCann will be given full access to the confidential case files.

The development is a boost to the couple, who are desperate to clear their status as “arguidos�?or official suspects the disappearance of their daughter.

Attorney general Fernando Jose Pinto Monteiro told the daily newspaper 24 Horas: “From July the (Madeleine) case will cease to be covered by judicial secrecy, and will be available to consultation by all parties involved.

“I do not know which date, but in July the case ceases to be covered by judicial secrecy.�?

Access to the confidential police files will allow the McCanns to begin building a defence if necessary, and to demand that they are cleared.

24 Horas speculated the judicial secrecy will end on July 14, more than 10 months after the couple were named suspects.

The McCanns, both 40-year-old doctors from Rothley, Leics, were made official suspects last September but have never been arrested or charged and vigorously deny any wrongdoing.

Their official spokesman Clarence Mitchell has previously described the endless delays in the process as “inhumane.�?

The McCanns have given a cautious welcome to the report.

Mr Mitchell said: “Despite the attorney general’s comment in the Portuguese press, neither Kate and Gerry, nor their lawyers, have received and official confirmation that the judicial secrecy is to be lifted.

“They will be making no comment until the judicial secrecy is lifted and they know that to be a fact.

“If this is the case, clearly this is something to be welcomed.

“Their lawyers would once again urge the authorities to lift their arguido status as soon as possible.�?

Madeleine disappeared from family’s rented holiday apartment in the Ocean Club, in Praia da Luz, on May 3 last year.

Her parents left Madeleine and twins Sean and Amelie, now two, sleeping while they dined at a nearby restaurant with seven friends.

The McCanns still face the possibility of charges of neglecting their daughter, who was three when she went missing, but the authorities would have to prove intent.

Currently in Strasbourg for meeting with MEPs, the couple are hopeful that their attempt to set up a European wide missing child alert system could succeed.

They spent today trying to convince parliamentarians that they should sign a written declaration which, if it gets enough support, will be sent to the European President and published.

They have now gathered 225 signatures and need a further 168 by the close of the plenary session at the end of July to ensure the declaration is formally recognised.

Although it carries no legal weight, the McCanns believe it will help them win the moral argument over whether such a cross-border system is needed.

Mr McCann said: “This is an important issue and Europe needs to work together. We want to get as many signatures as possible but there’s limited time left.�?