Police in Portugal have been criticized for their handing of the case of Madeleine McCann. They now say they have new evidence and have delayed questioning the man they have identified as the chief suspect, Robert Murat. So where or what is this evidence, they won't say. There has certainly been a lot of false hope for the parents of Maddie and they have seemed to handle the situation well in public, though surely their hearts are breaking in private.

Madeleine McCann and Robert Murat: What is This New Evidence?

And they have praised police, being very careful not to criticize the detectives they still depend on to work the case. But many observers claim they have made several errors, starting with the early stages of the investigation when they failed to shut down the borders in a timely fashion. Now, as they are just short of eighty days since the four-year old was snatched do they really have "new clues?"

***

Robert Murat was spotted by witnesses that say he was at the resort where Maddie and the twins wer sleeping. He says no he wasn'tclaiming hewas at his mother's address and not near the Ocean club resort. This alibi is supported by his mother but is contradicted by the McCann family friends.

Sky news gives a fine analysis: To deal with this conflicting evidence in the UK, the police would set out to prove or disprove Murat's alibi by examining calls from landlines and mobile phones, and computer usage such as emails sent and websites visited.

They would also examine the description of the clothes worn by Murat on the day Madeleine disappeared. They would then hold a series of identification parades. What is in question here is identification. That's accurate.

***

Continuing: It is also important for the police to find independent witnesses who are unconnected with either party to provide evidence either in support of the fact Murat was at the resort or if, as he states, he was 150 yards away at his mother 's house.

There is more here and the conclusion is accurate, "Whatever the outcome of this inquiry, the Portuguese legal system is in urgent need of review." Shouldn't the cops charge this guy or let him go?