Met police to help search for Madeleine McCann

David Cameron and Theresa May agreed that the police would 'bring its own particular expertise' to the case

The Home Office last night bowed to pressure from Kate and Gerry McCann to ask Scotland Yard to step into the search for their missing daughter, Madeleine.

A spokesman announced that the Metropolitan Police would “bring its particular expertise to the case,” a move agreed by Prime Minister David Cameron and the Home Secretary, Theresa May, together with the force’s commissioner, Sir Paul Stephenson.

What exactly the Met’s involvement in the case will be remains unclear, however, with the spokesman adding that the details “will be a matter of operational judgement and it would not be appropriate to discuss them at this stage”.

Mr and Mrs McCann welcomed the review, saying: “This is clearly a step in the right direction. The expertise of the Metropolitan Police is renowned and we are reassured by our Government’s commitment to the search for Madeleine.

“We would like to thank Mr Cameron and the Home Secretary for committing such a significant resource as the Metropolitan Police to begin this review process.”

The news followed repeated criticisms from the McCanns for what they said was consistent Government inaction over the case, and their call for the Prime Minister to intervene personally by requesting a review of the evidence.

Launching a book about the hunt for his daughter to help raise funds for their search earlier in the day, Mr McCann said: “We’ve met three separate home secretaries, and we’re still not sure what the Government has actually done.”

The couple had clearly decided, therefore, to focus their request directly on Mr Cameron instead.

While the father of the missing girl said that Mr Cameron had the ability to “pick up the phone” and speak to the Portuguese Prime Minister, Mrs McCann said: “When you’re in a position such as the Prime Minister, you have a responsibility. If you’re not willing to work for a child, you have to ask: ‘Who are you working for?’”

The Home Office spokesman underlined that British police had continued to pass on any leads.