Madeleine McCann investigation set to receive fresh cash injection on eve of 17th anniversary
The investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has received a fresh cash injection of up to £192,000.
Home Office Minister Lord Sharpe of Epsom revealed the additional funding for Scotland Yard in a parliamentary written answer, just days before the 17th anniversary of the British toddler’s disappearance.
Madeleine McCann vanished from a holiday apartment in the Algarve Portugal, on May 3.
This month is also her 21st Birthday.
Lord Sharpe also revealed that the Metropolitan Police had spent £13.2million investigating the high-profile case.
Responding to a parliamentary written question by Conservative peer Lord Black of Brentwood, Lord Sharpe said: “For the year 2024-25 the Home Office has agreed to provide up to £192,000 to the Metropolitan Police Service through special grant funding for Operation Grange, the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
“At March 31 2024, the total cost of the investigation was £13.2million.”
He added: “Operation Grange’s special grant budget currently funds a team of three police officers and one member of police staff, all of whom operate on a part-time basis.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Madeleine McCann suspect used ‘paedophile chatroom’ to seduce young mother as he complimented three-year-old daughterMadeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner ‘bragged about breaking into apartments’ where British girl went missingMadeleine McCann suspect ‘was in a porno mafia’ that would hunt former friend down after finding ‘rape videos’, witness claims
“Special grant funding is reviewed annually by the Home Office.
“The department also liaises regularly with the Operation Grange investigation team to assess progress and challenge the use of funds as necessary.”
Christian Brueckner, the prime suspect in the disappearance of the three-year-old, is currently facing trial in the German city of Braunschweig for offences unrelated to Madeleine.
The convicted sex offender is on trial for the rape of a woman in her 70s in her home in the Algarve and the rape and sexual assault of a teenage girl.
He also faces allegations that he raped a young woman at knifepoint in her home in 2004 – an act he is accused of recording on video.
The court also heard that he masturbated in front of a girl at a playground in Messines in June 2017 and faces claims he did the same in front of another girl, on Salema beach, Portugal, in April 2007.
Brueckner’s lawyers say his current trial faces worldwide prejudice following constant allegations he took the toddler in 2007.