McCanns: We Believe Madeleine Is Still Alive

The parents of Madeleine McCann, who disappeared in Portugal five years ago, say they still believe their daughter will be found alive.

Kate and Gerry McCann say Scotland Yard's ongoing review of the case has given them hope.

Madeleine was just three years old when she disappeared on May 3, 2007.

The McCanns say they have "no doubt" that the Portuguese authorities will eventually reopen the investigation into the disappearance.

Police there said last week that they had found "no new element" to justify re-launching their inquiry into how the little girl vanished on a family holiday to the Algarve.

But the McCanns added their voices to calls from Scotland Yard for the case to be reopened.

Mr McCann, 43, said: "I think the most important thing is that a lot of the investigation opportunities are in Portugal.

"I think it's fairly clear that the case will have to be reopened for those to be pursued adequately.

"We weren't expecting a knee-jerk reaction by any means. This is an ongoing dialogue, and I am sure the investigation will get opened again in due course. I have no doubt about that. It will get reopened."

His 44-year-old wife added: "It's certainly the best way that we're going to find Madeleine, and who took her.

"If people want to find Madeleine, and want to find the person who took her, then we need the case to be reopened."