Police identify new suspect in Madeleine case

PRAIA DA LUZ, Portugal, Sept 7 (Reuters) Portuguese police said today they had identified a new suspect in their investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann after interviewing the girl's mother, Kate McCann.

Police gave no name, in accordance with Portuguese secrecy laws. Earlier, friends of the McCann family said the new suspect was Madeleine's mother.

''All I can say is there is another formal suspect,'' police spokesman Olegario de Sousa told Reuters. A British man emerged as the first formal suspect earlier in the case.

''Kate knows it's possible that she could get arrested,'' said Justine McGuinness, a spokeswoman for the McCanns.

McGuinness said Kate had told her that police found blood in a car hired by her and her husband, Gerry, but there was no confirmation it was Madeleine's blood. The car had been hired 25 days after Madeleine disappeared.

Kate McCann left the police station today afternoon after being interviewed for several hours as her husband, Gerry, entered to be interviewed separately.

The McCanns' daughter vanished in the Algarve on May 3 a few days before turning four years old.

Under Portuguese law, declaring Kate McCann a suspect indicates police think she may have been involved in the crime but does not necessarily mean that she will be detained.

It could mean that she will be barred from leaving Portugal but she would also have more legal protection than as a witness, including the right not to answer questions. She would be more closely monitored by police.

The couple have won widespread sympathy. The plight of their missing daughter led to a high-profile campaign and a meeting with Pope Benedict in Rome who blessed a picture of Madeleine.

''COMPLETELY INNOCENT'' Gerry rejected any suggestion of his wife's involvement on his blog (www.findmadeleine.com).

''The suggestion that Kate is involved in Madeleine's disappearance is ludicrous,'' he wrote. ''Anyone who knows anything about the 3rd May knows that Kate is completely innocent. We will fight this all the way and we will not stop looking for Madeleine.'' Madeleine vanished from a hotel room in the Praia da Luz resort in the Algarve while her parents dined with friends a short distance away.

Police interviewed Kate for 11 hours yesterday after obtaining forensic evidence from various sites including the holiday apartment where Madeleine vanished.

The McCanns' campaign led to pictures of Madeleine being posted across Europe, at schools, airports and restaurants.

Kate and Gerry decided soon after Madeleine vanished to stay in Praia da Luz until the case is resolved, and have been going to a local church almost daily to pray for their daughter's safe return.

The only other suspect is a Briton living in Praia da Luz, who has not been arrested. His house has been searched twice.

A friend of the McCanns who spoke to Kate early today said she was shocked then at the prospect of being declared a suspect.

''I did speak to Kate in the early hours of this morning and clearly she is stunned and disappointed,'' the family friend told the BBC.

British business tycoons and celebrities ranging from ''Harry Potter'' author JK Rowling to soccer stars have contributed to a reward for Madeleine's return.

REUTERS PDT RN2319