Madeleine: both parents considered suspects

gibby zobel reports on the scene outside police headquarters in Portimao on Friday evening

By the end of Friday, both Gerry and Kate McCann had been declared formal suspects by Portuguese police investigating the disappearance of their four-year-old daughter Madeleine on May 3.

Mrs McCann's new status as a suspect was announced after another five hours of questioning at police headquarters in Portimao. This followed the gruelling 11 hours of interrogation she had undergone on Thursday. Her husband was then interviewed for eight hours on his own, before he, too, was made a formal suspect or arguido.

The announcements came after police confronted Mrs McCann with evidence of blood found in the couple's hire car which was rented 25 days after Maddie's disappearance.

Though there have been several leaks from within the police to local newspaper reporters during the four-month investigation, Portuguese law forbids police issuing details of ongoing investigations.

Police offered to 'cut a deal' of a maximum of two years in prison in exchange for a confession

But according to members of the McCann family, the police believe Mrs McCann killed her daughter accidentally. Despite her denial, they offered to "cut a deal" of a maximum two years in prison in exchange for a confession, which she refused.

Friends and family have been emphasising that neither parent has been charged with anything. But Jon Corner, a close family friend, admitted Mrs McCann was feeling "very down, very low" and "deflated".

Writing on his blog before leaving his apartment for the police station, Gerry McCann said: "The suggestion that Kate is involved in Madeleine's disappearance is ludicrous. Kate is innocent and we will fight this all the way."

The comings and goings at the police headquarters in Portimao attracted a crowd of 500 media and onlookers. At one point, Mrs McCann was booed by a small group of onlookers.

Under Portuguese law an arguido, has the right to remain silent and to have a lawyer present at police questioning. A judge can restrict a suspect's movements, such as banning them from leaving the country.