Police in Portugal are to close the inquiry into the disappearance of British girl Madeleine McCann, according to local media reports. Two Portuguese newspapers say the case is being shelved due to a lack of evidence. A prosecution source today maintained that no such decision had been made.

The senior detective who once led the hunt for Madeleine has just announced his retirement. Goncalo Amaral was taken off the investigation after reportedly criticising his British counterparts. Denouncing the way in which he was treated, he is making the most of his new-found freedom of expression, with plans for a book telling his side of the story.

It is 14 months since three-year-old Maddie went missing from her bedroom in a resort on the Algarve, during a family holiday.

Her parents and a third person, Robert Murat, were named formal suspects in the case. All three strongly deny any wrongdoing.

Copyright © 2012 euronews