http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/madeleinemccann,,mccanns-may-fire-metodo-3,13518

McCanns may fire Metodo 3

Expensive private investigators 'too indiscreet'

Metodo 3, the private detective agency hired by Kate and Gerry McCann to search for their missing daughter Madeleine, is unlikely to have its contract extended beyond March.

Directors of the not-for-profit fund set up with public donations to find the four-year-old are said to be infuriated by several headline-grabbing comments made by the boss of the Barcelona-based firm that charges a monthly fee of £50,000.

Francisco Marco said that he thought Madeleine would be home by Christmas, and has consistently claimed his firm knew of the people who kidnapped Madeleine. But the investigation does not appear to be any closer to finding the young girl.

Metodo 3 “have faced not having their contract renewed ever since Francisco shot his mouth off…It was made clear that what they were doing was foolish and unhelpful�? said a friend of the McCanns.

The fund to find Madeleine is now down to around £570,000. If the rate of spending continues at the current rate, this will have run out by the summer. After negative public reaction, the McCanns appear to be backing down from their proposal of selling the rights to a movie about their ordeal, though they are said to be considering a book deal to raise funds for the campaign.