Madeleine’s parent, Kate and Gerry McCann, feared the investigation would come to an end this month after nine years of searching for their child, but Home Secretary Theresa May has given extra funding to extend the search.
“Following a request from the Metropolitan Police Service, we have agreed to provide nearly £95,000 of further funding for Operation Grange,” a spokesperson for the Home Office commented.
The couple are still hopeful that their daughter, who would now be aged 12, is still alive.
Kate said recently: “The urge to look for Madeleine absolutely hasn’t changed at all. We will never give up. I want an end, an answer. Whatever that it is.”
However, once the extra £94,592 runs out in early October, Scotland Yard will be ending the inquiry – codenamed Operation Grange - which has cost £12 million so far.
At the peak of the investigation, there was 30 officers working on the case, but now only four have been working on it since last year and this will remain the same until the autumn.
A Scotland Yard spokesperson said yesterday: “The inquiry has not reached a conclusion. There are still focused lines of investigation to be pursued.
“There are no immediate plans to reduce office numbers further at this time.”
Maddie, who was three at the time, disappeared on holiday in Praia da Luz in May 2007 while her parents were at a restaurant nearby with friends.
Kate and Gerry are planning to pay for their own team of private investigators when the case finally closes and if Maddie has not been found.
Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell stated: “Should the need arise for a private investigation to be resumed, they have made sure they have enough money left in the Madeleine Fund.”