But last night fears were raised that Noel Hogan might not be up to the job. </[>
Mr Hogan, who runs a private detective agency, has re-interviewed British witnesses including the McCannsí holiday friends. He is also understood to have gone through the McCanns�?own statements in minute detail with the couple. </[>
In a startling twist, Kate and Gerry’s lawyers have ordered that their own inquiry into Madeleineís disappearance, while on holiday in Portugal last May, should focus on the theory that the three-year-old was killed and her body hidden. </[>
Hogan International, which specialises in asset investigations, is taking over the case after the McCannsí benefactors voiced dismay at the lack of tangible progress made by the Spanish agency Metodo 3. </[>
Sources close to the inquiry say�?the two firms have a history of rivalry after previously clashing over conflicting investigations. </[>
In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Express, Mr Hogan revealed that his previous experience of missing people cases was limited to tracing beneficiaries of wills. </[>
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He also admitted that despite the high profile of the Madeleine investigation, his 12-strong team of former detectives and ex-SAS men were already handling around 5,000 cases. </[>
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Speaking from his office in a rundown tower block in Aldershot, Hants, Mr Hogan refused to say how much he was being paid. He said: ‘I don’t want to become part of the circus surrounding Madeleine. I am not allowed to go into operational detail and I just do what I am told. </[>
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‘We deal with all matters of investigation, but it is true that normally the missing people we deal with are those who have inherited something and then disappeared. We have never dealt with a missing child. </[>
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‘I am not going to boast about success rates like Metodo 3, because that did nobody a favour. We have one office and there are 12 people who work here. If I need to I can bring other people in. </[>
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‘When the police have a big case�?they do not stop investigating all the others they are working on.</[>
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‘I have a lot of people who I know who are ex-policemen and know how to handle a criminal investigation. </[>
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‘The Portuguese police have put a complete closedown on any facts. Normally in this country you would have a liaison officer with the family.�?lt;/[>
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Another former Scotland Yard officer, who has given unofficial advice to the McCanns, from Rothley, Leicestershire, last night voiced his concern at the appointment. He said: ìI cannot understand why they have chosen to go with Mr Hogan because he simply does not have the resources or the back-up to conduct a major investigation. </[>
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ìThe advice I have given to the McCanns was to urge them to request a meeting with Scotland Yard and to ask them to take over the British side of the investigation. The Yard has a very sophisticated and well-resourced kidnap squad, which deals with more than 300 abductions a year, far more than any other force in Britain. Forces from around the world turn to them for advice. </[>
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ìMy view is that the McCanns should not waste money with private investigators but should get the best police in Britain on the job. </[>
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ìI think the role of Leicestershire Police is confused. At first they sent officers to Portugal to offer liaison assistance to the McCanns but now it appears they are investigating them on behalf of the Portuguese. It has become a mess.î </[>
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Last night Mr Hogan retorted: ìI was in Surrey Police for four years and the Met after that. I finished top of my CID course but decided to leave to start my own business. </[>
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ìI am not a disgraced former policeman. I deal in professional investigations and I have been doing this a long time.î </[>
Control Risks Group, which is advising the investigation on behalf of the McCannsí billionaire backer Brian Kennedy, are also reported have taken on a larger role. </[>
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But no significant new lines of inquiry are being examined and, despite an overwhelming response to their Christmas appeal, the McCanns have been advised to focus on their own defence. </[>
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A source close to the family said: ìThe investigation is working towards a resolution and we have to consider that Madeleine may have been murdered. </[>
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ìWe have been working to the theory she may have been killed and all the possible scenarios are being considered.�?</[>
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ìOf course we hope very much that she is alive but nothing can be ruled out.î </[>
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Eight months after Madeleine vanished, Portuguese detectives have made it clear they think Kate and Gerry staged an abduction in an attempt to provide a smokescreen for a more sinister crime. </[>
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