Cops play down Madeleine Malta link
Graham Brough In Malta  25/06/2007

HOPES were fading yesterday that missing Madeleine McCann would be found on Malta.

Police admitted that all investigations into possible sightings of the four-year-old had drawn a blank.

A Maltese officer said: “We don’t believe they brought the girl here. We searched everywhere, but there was no pattern to the sightings. Now the mobile squads have her picture with them. They look at girls of that age when they come across them but it is not a proper operation like before.”

Madeleine was reportedly spotted at various points around the island. Detectives now believe they were all well-meaning but mistaken. Another police source in the capital Valletta said: “If she is here, then everything is being done to find her.

“But I have my doubts about all these sightings. It’s unlikely anyone would have brought her here, gone out on buses and walked around publicly when the world is searching for her.”

This latest disappointment throws the onus back on to Portuguese police in Praia da Luz from where Madeleine disappeared on May 3.

Her father, Gerry, has so far refused to become drawn into raising hopes over Malta. His weekend blog made no reference to it.