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May 15, 2007updated 17 May 2007 11:30am

Sunday Mirror journalist covering Maddy disappearance reports ‘suspicious’ man to police

By Press Gazette

A man is being questioned over the disappearance of Madeleine McCann on holiday in Portugal, after a Sunday Mirror journalist reported him to police.

British man Robert Murat was a regular sight crossing the police tape and approaching the McCanns' holiday apartment following Madeleine's disappearance on 4 May.

But Sunday Mirror journalist Lori Campbell reported him to the Portuguese police because she thought he was suspicious.

The day after Madeleine's disappearance, when media descended upon the area, Murat made himself known to journalists, chatting about the case but refusing to reveal what his role was initially.

Campbell said: "He surfaced on Friday afternoon last week and was walking around as if he was somebody official. He claimed that he was just a local guy who spoke fluent Portuguese and English and was helping the family. When I was talking to him he was very vague about his purpose."

A Sunday Mirror spokesman said: "Our reporter Lori Campbell became suspicious of Mr Robert Murat's behaviour early on in the hunt for Madeleine McCann and last Monday, after discussions with the London office, reported him to the Portuguese police at the scene.

"Lori also spoke to the British Embassy and police in Leicestershire, who took a statement."

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The Policia Judiciara confirmed last night that they were questioning a man. A spokesman for the investigation did not confirm the nationality or identity of the person and described it as a "normal development".

Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa said said that more than one person had been taken to the police building in Portimao to make statements.

But he emphasised that the people had not been arrested.

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

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