Madeleine McCann investigation to start new search tomorrow with police hopeful of finding crunch evidence

McCann vanished on May 3, 2007, and it will be the first search in Portugal in over two years. The last search happened near a remote dam, a 40-minute drive from where McCann was last seen.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told GB News: "We are aware of the searches being carried by the BKA in Portugal as part of their investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. The MPS is not present at the search but will support our international colleagues where necessary."

Portuguese police are understood to have agreed to the search and will work with German police and prosecutors.

Portugal's judicial authorities have approved the agreement.

Unless anything relevant emerges, the search is anticipated to last only three days.

The new search will be a land-only dig.

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McCann vanished during a family holiday in Praia da Luz, which sparked a huge police search.

She has been missing now for 18 years, and despite prosecutors naming Brueckner as the main suspect back in June 2020, he has yet to face formal charges.

Brueckner remains in prison in Germany where he is serving a seven year sentence for rape.

The searches from two years ago across Arade Dam were the first major ones in nine years, following a June 2014 operation when British police were granted permission to do digs in Praia da Luz.

The dig used sniffer dogs trained in detecting bodies, but nothing came of either search.

The family of McCann said in a statement last month that their "determination to leave no stone unturned is unwavering".

They added: "No matter how near or far she is, she continues to be right here with us, every day, but especially on her special day.

"We continue to 'celebrate' her as the very beautiful and unique person she is. We miss her."

A Metropolitan Police spokesman told GB News: "We are aware of the searches being carried by the BKA in Portugal as part of their investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

"The MPS is not present at the search but will support our international colleagues where necessary."