Brown offers help in Madeleine McCann case

Chancellor Gordon Brown has told relatives of missing Madeleine McCann that he will help "in any way he can" in the search for the missing girl.

Mr Brown made the offers after some relatives of the four-year-old went to Westminster to lobby MPs for support.

Madeleine's aunt, Philomena McCann said that Mr Brown had been "extremely helpful".

During Prime Minister's Question Time, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said that the government was providing all the support and assistance possible to Madeleine's family.

Meanwhile, a British man who is being treated as a suspect in Madeleine's disappearance has told Sky News that the incident had "ruined" his life. Insisting on his innocence, Robert Murat said that he had been made a "scapegoat" for the child's disappearance and that his only hope of life returning to normal would be if the person responsible for abducting Madeleine was found.

Mr Murat lives in a villa with his mother Jenny, 100 metres from where Madeleine was abducted. The villa, in Praia da Luz in the Algarve, was searched on Monday morning and Mr Murat was questioned.

On Tuesday, it was revealed that Mr Murat had been given 'arguido' - or suspect - status, meaning that he is considered a suspect by Portuguese police, but can remain free. However, a person can request this process to be invoked because of the rights it offers, such as access to a lawyer and the right to remain silent.

At a press conference on Tuesday, it was revealed that police had searched five houses in the course of the investigation and that a number of items, including mobile phones, computers and video tapes have been taken away for examination.

Two other people - a German woman and a Portuguese man - have also been questioned by police, but as witnesses, not suspects.

Madeleine is believed to have been abducted from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on May 3, while her parents, Gerry and Kate McCann were eating at a nearby tapas bar.

The couple have pledged to remain in Portugal until Madeleine is found. A fund is being launched today to help cover legal bills, as well as to enable the McCanns to remain in Portugal while the search for Madeleine continues.

A reward of more than £2.5 million has been offered for information leading to her discovery. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Crimestoppers on the international number: +44 1883 731 336.

(KMcA/SP)