McCanns ponder return to Praia da Luz

Kate and Gerry McCann are considering returning to Portugal to stage a reconstruction of the events surrounding the disappearance of their daughter, it has emerged.

As Leicestershire police, observed by Portuguese detectives, began reinterviewing the seven friends who were dining with the McCanns on the night Madeleine vanished, the couple's spokesman confirmed yesterday that they have been in discussions about returning to the Algarve to Praia da Luz to participate in a re-enactment.

Madeleine, then aged three, disappeared on the evening of May 3 last year, while her parents had dinner at a nearby restaurant with the group of friends.

It is understood the McCanns' lawyers have been negotiating for some time with Portugal's Policia Judiciária about returning, but have said that the McCanns would not agree to do so while they remain arguidos, or official suspects, in the case.

Clarence Mitchell, the couple's spokesman, said that thanks to Portugal's secrecy laws he could not discuss the details, but added: "Kate and Gerry would very much welcome a Crimewatch-style reconstruction which is properly broadcast for millions of people to see."

However, it was "very unlikely" that they would agree to return to Portugal while they were still under investigation, he said.

Jane Tanner, who told police she saw a man carrying a child away from the McCanns' holiday apartment, is understood to have been interviewed yesterday at Leicestershire police headquarters in Enderby, observed by officers from the Policia Judiciária who are led by Paulo Rebelo, one of Portugal's most senior detectives.

The purpose of the interviews, Mitchell said, was to clear up any apparent inconsistencies in their accounts.