Daily Mirror

Madeleine McCann police chief resigns

Martin Fricker In Praia Da Luz 7/05/2008

Portugal's top cop has to quit - three months after saying his officers had been "hasty" making Madeleine McCann's parents suspects in her disappearance.

Alipio Ribeiro's resignation as head of the Judicial Police comes after he stated all the country's officers should come under ministerial jurisdiction.

His union said his call for the structural change made his position untenable.

But the slow-burning real reason behind his departure was his views on the McCanns, said influential paper Diario de Noticias.

Rank and file police have been angry ever since Mr Ribeiro - who took now retired ex-lead detective Goncalo Amoral off the case - said the decision to make Kate and Gerry "arguidos" was rushed.

Diario said that was his "most serious" mistake.

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