EX-PORTUGUESE police chief Goncalo Amaral has claimed the 2007 investigation into Madeleine McCann’s disappearance was hindered by “interference” from British cops.

The controversial detective, who led the probe, claimed her parents Kate and Gerry got special treatment from British authorities because they were doctors.

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Goncarlo Amaral claimed Kate and Gerry McCann faked the abduction of their daughterCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

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Madeleine vanished from the family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal on May 3 2007 when she was three years oldCredit: PA:Press Association
He also told Portuguese news channel CMTV prosecutors felt “intimidated by the United Kingdom”, The Mirror Online reports.

Amaral was said to have been removed as head of the probe after criticising British police.

Amaral has also claimed MI5 helped cover-up Madeleine’s body after her parents accidentally killed her.

When informed of Amaral’s latest conspiracy theory by a journalist who suggested he also thinks Gordon Brown was involved, Gerry McCann said: “The less said about Goncalo Amaral the better.”

Amaral refuted claims his officers’ actions were careless.

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Parents Kate and Gerry McCann have vowed to “never give up” hope of finding their daughterCredit: Getty ImagesIn part of the interview published in Sabado magazine Amaral is reported to have said: “They belong to the uppermiddle class and the British do not like their doctors to mess up abroad and get convicted for it.”

He addded: “If the [British] ambassador and even the consul had not appeared, the investigation would have been directed to what is normal – to suspect those who have responsibility for the custody of the child.

“The mistake was the statement about the abduction.

“It was almost a lack of respect to make the decision [that it was an abduction] and make it public.”

But speaking ahead of the 10-year anniversary top British cop Mark Rowley said: “The parents’ involvement: that was dealt with at the time by the original investigation by the Portuguese.

“We’re happy that’s completely dealt with and there is no reason whatsoever to reopen that or start rumours that’s a line of investigation.”

The Met Police Assistant Commissioner said he is following up “critical” leads on the tenth anniversary of the tot’s disappearance.

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Parents Gerry and Kate left their three children – including toddler twins Sean and Amelie – sleeping in their apartment while they dined at a nearby tapas barCredit: PA:Press Association
Asked if police were any closer to solving the case than they were six years ago when the UK investigation was launched, Mr Rowley said: “I know we have a significant line of inquiry which is worth pursuing, and because it’s worth pursuing it could provide an answer, but until we’ve gone through it I won’t know whether we are going to get there or not.

“Ourselves and the Portuguese are doing a critical piece of work and we don’t want to spoil it by putting titbits of information out publicly.”