Madeleine McCann search: Police release e-fits of man

UK police investigating Madeleine McCann's disappearance have released two e-fits of a man they want to speak to as a matter of "vital importance". They will feature in a BBC Crimewatch appeal later over her disappearance on 3 May, 2007, in Praia da Luz, Algarve. Police said the man "may or may not be key" but had been placed in the area. The images are based on evidence from two witnesses who saw him on the night three-year-old Madeleine, from Rothley, Leicestershire, went missing. The witnesses said the man was white, 20 to 40 years old and of medium build. He had short brown hair, was clean-shaven and of medium height, they added.

Detective Ch Insp Andy Redwood, the senior Metropolitan Police investigating officer, said: "Whilst this man may or may not be the key to unlocking this investigation, tracing and speaking to him is of vital importance to us.

"We have witnesses placing him in the resort area around the time of Madeleine's disappearance.

"This is far from our only line of inquiry and there will be e-fits released of other sightings as well, who we are equally keen to trace.

"These people were seen on the day of Madeleine's disappearance and the days leading up to it."

Madeleine went missing from a holiday flat in Praia da Luz as her parents dined with friends at a nearby restaurant.

A Portuguese investigation into the case was dropped in 2008, but Scotland Yard began a review of the case in May 2011.

On Sunday the Met Police said the timeline and "accepted version of events" surrounding Madeleine's disappearance had significantly changed, without giving further details.

A detailed reconstruction lasting close to 25 minutes and covering events leading up to and surrounding Madeleine's disappearance will also feature on Monday's Crimewatch.

Police say the appeal is based on "substantive" new material including mobile phone records.

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