KATE AND GERRY McCann have dismissed fierce criticism of Scotland Yard’s intervention in the search for their missing daughter Madeleine.
They said British prime minister David Cameron gave assurances that all funds for the case review would come from central Government and would not eat into the force’s budget.
Speaking in Dublin yesterday, the couple said they would like to thank the Conservative leader for his intervention.
Mr McCann said it would go a long way to addressing one of their key complaints about the inaction on the part of UK police. “We welcome their involvement,” he said.
“We have been calling for a transparent, independent review. We have yet to see exactly the details of their involvement and what it will entail and I hope this does improve communication between the home office and ourselves . . .
“I’m sure it will go a long way to (addressing) one of our key disgruntlements, which was that British police had lots and lots of information and it was just sitting there and no one was looking at it.
“The Met has excellent expertise in reviewing major crimes, so we are very pleased and we would like to thank David Cameron for his intervention.”
Metropolitan police authority member Lord Harris yesterday said the intervention undermined the independence of the force and the investigation would use up valuable resources.
Writing on his blog, he said: “Whilst no one doubts the desirability of doing what can sensibly be done to find out what has happened to Madeleine McCann, I can imagine that the senior leadership of the Metropolitan Police are not exactly happy about this.
“It again embroils their officers in a high-profile investigation, where the chances of success are unclear.”
The McCanns made their appeal to the prime minister in a letter published in The Sun.
Responding, Mr Cameron told the couple: “Your ordeal is every parent’s worst nightmare and my heart goes out to you both.”
The prime minister’s official spokesman said Mr Cameron and home secretary Theresa May asked for the review because of the “exceptional” nature of the case.