Portuguese police scour villa of only suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann

Portuguese police scoured the villa of their only official suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

Photo: Portuguese police scour villa of only suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann

Forensics experts spent their third day at the home of a 33-year-old man, who media have reported is British and a longtime resident of Praia da Luz, a sunny resort town in southern Portugal. The villa, hidden by high walls and tall trees, is just down the street from the hotel where the 4-year-old British girl was apparently abducted May 3.

Police were also examining computers and cellular phones taken from the villa, officials said, though they were tightlipped on what, if anything they found.

The man was questioned Monday after British journalists reported him to police, saying he was poking around the crime scene and implying he was part of the investigation.

Police released him Tuesday for lack of evidence, but said he continues to be a suspect. The man said he was at home with his mother when the girl disappeared, and had nothing to do with the abduction and was set up as a "scapegoat," British television station Sky News reported.

Madeleine vanished after her parents left her, and her brother and sister, both aged 2, alone in their room while they went to a tapas bar inside their hotel complex in Portugal's Algarve region, a popular European tourist destination.

In the House of Commons in London on Wednesday, many British lawmakers wore yellow ribbons, which have become a symbol of hope for Madeleine's safe return.

Chancellor Gordon Brown who will likely take over as British prime minister when Tony Blair steps down at the end of June met members of Madeleine's family and said he would help "in any way he can," a spokesman said.

Philomena McCann, the girl's aunt, said: "Madeleine is a beautiful, caring little girl. I can totally understand why someone might take her but give her back, she is not yours."

The girl's family also set up a fund for contributions to a campaign to find her.

The disappearance of Madeleine has been the main story in Britain this month, leading newscasts and dominating front pages.

Video images of Madeleine were to be broadcast at halftime during a European cup final Wednesday between Spanish clubs Sevilla and Espanyol in Glasgow.

Police are also investigating the possibility the toddler was taken by an organized pedophile ring, and possibly taken to neighboring Spain.