Tapped OR hacked ?
Madeleine McCann parents fear their phones are being tapped in Britain
Gerry and Kate McCann have become virtual prisoners in their home since returning to Britain, because of the media presence
Kate and Gerry McCann believe that their mobile telephones were bugged by Portuguese police when they were in the Algarve - and fear the tapping has continued since their return to Britain.
Sources close to the family say the couple are convinced that questions put to them during police interviews were based on information gleaned from their private conversations.
They have now told family members to be careful what they say over the telephone as it is thought all conversations could be recorded as potential evidence.
The revelation comes after a Portuguese prosecutor said the McCanns could not be re-questioned by police, as no new evidence had been produced against them since they left the country 10 days ago.
The revelation comes after a Portuguese prosecutor said the McCanns could not be re-questioned by police, as no new evidence had been produced against them since they left the country 10 days ago.
Their spokesman said they were "very encouraged" by the news, but that they were prepared to be interviewed again if necessary.
Under Portuguese law, any information secretly recorded is admissible in court as long as a judge has given his approval. This approval can be sought retrospectively.
British rules require the Portuguese police to file a Mutual Legal Assistance request with the Home Office if they want to bug phone calls on British soil.
They have described their agonising ordeal as "a parent's worst nightmare".
It has also been claimed that fresh searches could take place in Spain after a request from Portuguese police.
Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, would have to personally sanction such an application, which would then be carried out by British authorities.
Neither the Home Office nor Leicestershire Constabulary would comment yesterday on whether any request had been received or put into place. A spokesman for the McCanns also refused to comment.
Mr and Mrs McCann, who have become virtual prisoners in their home since returning to Rothley, Leics, because of the media and police presence, have strenuously denied any involvement in Madeleine’s disappearance.
It is thought their mobile phone calls have been tracked retrospectively back to May 3, the night Madeleine vanished, using satellite technology to pinpoint their location.
A source close to the couple said: "British police warned Kate and Gerry when they were in Portugal that their phones and emails might have been tapped into.
"They believed it was the case over there and nothing has changed their mind since their return.
"It would be wrong to say that their phone conversations are in any way furtive as a result of this.
"They are entirely innocent and have nothing whatsoever to hide, but they are being understandably cautious."
Mr and Mrs McCann are named as formal suspects, or arguidos, in their daughter's disappearance.
A friend dismissed reports of scientific findings that could have aroused suspicion, saying traces of Madeleine’s DNA allegedly found in the back of the car they hired 25 days after she disappeared could be explained easily.
He also sought to explain why sniffer dogs - trained to detect the "smell of death" - allegedly became so excited when shown the boot of the car.
"Kate and Gerry had to transport all their rubbish to a communal rubbish dump half a mile away," the friend said.
"There was a regular run with the boot of the car being full of rubbish including bags of rotting fruit, rotting meat and soiled nappies belonging to the twins."
The friend said the dogs would have been confused by the mix of smells.
It is understood new DNA tests are being carried out by the Forensic Science Services in Birmingham and results could be passed to Portuguese authorities this week.
It was alleged that police in the Algarve believe the house in Rothley could hold the key to Madeleine’s whereabouts.
The Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha claimed a request to search it has been approved by the investigating judge Pedro Daniel dos Anjos Frias.
WHO was listening to the McCanns ?
THE BLACKMAILING OF GORDON BROWN OVER MCCANN COVER-UP
