Madeleine case reopened

Officers have said that they will travel regularly to Portugal as part of the UK investigation, following a meeting with Portuguese police, the Met Police said in a statement.

Assistance Commander Mark Rowley, specialist crime and operations, said: "The meeting was very positive, and we and the Policia Judiciara have a shared determination to do everything possible to discover what happened to Madeleine.

"Colleagues in Portugal fully shared with us the developments in their review, and the fact that they were taking the significant step of applying for the investigation to be formally reopened.

"From the near future, MPS detectives from Operation Grange will travel regularly to Portugal under the terms of the ILOR in relation to the UK investigation."

Read: Madeleine case reopened

The Met Police said Assistance Commander Mark Rowley and Det Chief Insp Andy Redwood attended a meeting with senior Portuguese officers in Lisbon on October 17 over the Madeleine McCann case.

At the request of the Portuguese Policia Judiciary, the Met officers were briefed on new lines of enquiry, separate to those being followed by the MPS.The group were later joined by Kate and Gerry McCann who were briefed on the plans to reopen the investigation.

Read: Madeleine case reopened

Madeleine McCann's parents Kate and Gerry have said they are "very pleased" that Portuguese authorities are to reopen their investigation into her disappearance and hope that it will uncover "the answers we so desperately need".

The Metropolitan Police have welcomed the new Portuguese investigation, but warned that there was still "a way to go."

New lines of enquiry were the reason behind Portuguese police re-opening the Madeleine McCann case, according to the Metropolitan Police.

British and Portuguese police have spoken about the two investigations and the Met confirmed that Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann have been kept informed with the new developments.

The Portuguese attorney general has said new leads mean the formal investigation into Madeleine McCann's disappearance needs to be reopened.

The Home Secretary said she welcomed the news that Portuguese police would re-open the case in to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

Theresa May said: "I welcome the developments that have taken place and the work the Metropolitan Police are doing with the Portuguese police on this case. I hope that what we're going to see is a resolution to this case for the sake of Maddie's parents and family."

Read more: Portuguese police may re-open Madeleine McCann case

The parents of Madeleine McCann believe it would be an "important step forward" if Portuguese police reopened the investigation into the disappearance of their daughter.

A spokesman for the couple told the Daily Mirror: “Kate and Gerry don’t want to get their hopes up too much. But if the Portuguese do resume their investigation it would be a significant development and an important step forward.”