MADELEINE McCann suspect Christian B’s van has been forensically tested by cops after he was quizzed for first time about her disappearance.

Portuguese cops are now waiting for results from the VW van that Christian B drove while living on the Algarve where the three-year-old vanished on May 3, 2007.

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Police questioning Christian B are now awaiting the results of forensic tests on his vanCredit: EPA

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Kate and Gerry McCann welcome a German man being named a formal suspect in Madeleine’s disappearanceCredit: PA
The German convicted paedophile was questioned by police in Oldenburg jail after authorities named him as an official suspect on Thursday.

According to the Mirror, police asked him: “Where were you the night Madeleine McCann disappeared?”

Christian B was pressed to provide an alibi, adding: “If you weren’t by the apartment she ­disappeared from, where were you?”

Insiders close to the case claim he did not answer any of the questions.

His lawyer is believed to have been present as police continued their investigation.

B was declared an “arguido” by police in Portugal ahead of the 15th anniversary of Madeleine vanishing from her family’s holiday apartment in the beach resort of Praia da Luz.

Madeleine’s parents welcomed the news that caged Christian B has been made an official suspect.

Kate and Gerry also said they hoped their daughter was still alive.

They said: “We welcome the news that the Portuguese authorities have declared a German man an arguido.

“This reflects progress in the investigation. Even though the possibility may be slim, we have not given up hope that Madeleine is still alive and we will be reunited with her.”

They spoke as it emerged B had finally given details of his “alibi” to a TV show — after nearly two years of maintaining a stony silence with police.

The convicted rapist and child sex predator claims he can prove he was elsewhere when Madeleine was snatched in 2007.

Details will be aired on May 3 — the 15th anniversary of her disappearance — in the documentary Madeleine McCann: Prime Suspect, by US network AMC Crime.

A source close to the case in Germany, where B is in prison, said: “He has had nearly two years to explain himself but has constantly declined to comment.

“It’s baffling as to why he should maintain that silence then finally come up with an explanation now.

“And it’s even more odd that he should give the details to a TV documentary rather than the authorities.