Madeleine

Madeleine family 'heartened by support'

Relatives of missing Madeleine McCann today said they were "heartened" by all the support they have received from the British Government.

Philomena McCann, the four-year-old's aunt, met Chancellor Gordon Brown and Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, as well as a raft of other MPs when she lobbied Parliament today.


Philomena McCann , aunt of Madeleine McCann, with a photograph of the girl outside the Houses of Parliament. Image: Reuters. Many of the politicians wore yellow ribbons in support of the little girl's family.

Ms McCann said she had been given some useful advice and was delighted by the attention Madeleine's case received.

She said: "Personally I am heartened by the support I have received today in Parliament.

She said her brother Gerry and sister-in-law Kate will be pleased that the British Parliament has been so supportive.

It has been 13 days since Madeleine went missing, snatched from her bedroom in the holiday resort of Praia da Luz, only yards away from where her parents were enjoying a meal.

Ms McCann said she spoke to her brother for 45 minutes last night and he told her he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support in Portugal and the UK.

"Instead of a tidal wave of despair, he is facing a tidal wave of hope.

PA

Madeleine