Vanessa Allen and Martin Fricker  28/05/2007

THE family of missing Madeleine McCann were being protected from some horrific aspects of the inquiry last night.

Child porn is believed to have been found on the computer of sole suspect Robert Murat, 33.

Detectives also discovered links to depraved websites featuring other sickening images.

Dad Gerry McCann, 38, has been made aware of the development but has asked not to be given details.

Police disclosed that mum Kate, 38, is being completely “shielded” from the nature of the web links.

Despite the discoveries, nothing was found to connect Briton Murat to Madeleine, four, who vanished from her apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, 24 days ago. Murat denies being the man seen carrying a child near the McCanns’ holiday apartment on the night Madeleine disappeared.

He said: “It isn’t me. But the description is so vague it won’t put me out of the picture. I hope I’ll soon be able to clear my name. It’s been almost two weeks since my life was turned upside down.

“I’m on tenterhooks about what will happen now they have released the description of this man.”

Property dealer Murat and his ex-wife Dawn have been quizzed about their sex life.

Dawn, who lives with the couple’s four-year-old daughter Sofia in Hockering, Norfolk, said: “They asked me about Rob’s state of mind.

“They wanted to know if he was under any stress and did I have any fears about him.

“Did he ever watch pornography with me or did I ever catch him watching it? I told them I’ve never caught him watching porn.”

It is understood Murat’s girlfriend in Portugal, Michaela Walczuch, 33, has faced similar questions during police interviews.

Murat has said he only learned of Madeleine’s May 3 abduction hours after having dinner nearby with his mother Jenny, 71.

But police found a series of phone calls between him and Russian computer ace Sergey Malinka, 22, starting about 30 minutes after the child was snatched. Malinka has been questioned as a witness. Yesterday the McCanns spent the afternoon in Praia da Luz taking their two-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie, swimming.

Earlier Kate revealed she was so trauma-tised by Madeleine’s kidnap she could not face sleeping away from the twins. She said: “We’ve become totally protective parents.”

The McCann family have been warned that Madeleine’s abductor could try to contact them. They now wear latex gloves when opening letters so as not to disturb potential clues.

Phone experts from the UK have travelled to the resort to examine all landline and mobile calls made on the evening of May 3.

Two former British soldiers who have volunteered to help in the hunt have been searching empty warehouses in the area.

Prince Charles and Camilla released a statement saying they hoped that Madeleine would be reunited with her family.

Police raided a house in Hampshire after emails were sent claiming to be Madeleine’s abductor. But the messages were found to be from a 10-year-old boy with learning difficulties. No further action was taken.