- Scotland Yard detectives flew to Spain to investigate whether Madeleine McCann was abducted and smuggled across the border from Portugal. The officers, who visited Barcelona last month, are among 30 Metropolitan Police detectives carrying out a review of her case. They are also examining possible sightings of Madeleine after she vanished. She disappeared from a holiday resort in the Algarve in 2007, days before her fourth birthday. Police are investigating a theory that she may have been snatched by a paedophile gang and smuggled into Spain – an hour’s drive away from her family’s holiday flat in Praia da Luz. - 12th December 2011

- The government has been urged to improve support for the "heartbroken" families of people who go missing. The UK's first parliamentary inquiry into the issue heard from campaigners who say there is a "complete gap" in help for those affected. Kate McCann, whose daughter Madeleine vanished abroad in 2007, told MPs it should not be down to "grieving parents" to search for their child. The prime minister's official spokesman said help for families was a priority. Mrs McCann, from Rothley, Leicestershire, is one of three mothers giving evidence over four sessions. She said grief was compounded by a "lack of communication and information", and called for a single point of contact between families and the police. - 13th June 2011

- A Scotland Yard investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann will harness a team of 30 detectives and could cost millions of pounds, it has been reported. But Britain's most senior police officer has insisted there is still a chance Maddie could be found alive. Some members of the team will be experienced officers set to retire or take voluntary redundancy, according to The Daily Telegraph. The Scotland Yard review, which will be funded by the Home Office, has already been described as a waste of police funds by members of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA). Jenny Jones from the MPA told the Mail on Sunday: 'It is ludicrous. This could take years and will cost millions.' - 18th May 2011

- The spokesman for the family of Madeleine McCann believes journalists attempted to hack into his mobile phone. Clarence Mitchell said he believed reporters had tried to get access to his voicemail messages to get information regarding the McCanns. Mr Mitchell was taken on by Gerry and Kate McCann, from Rothley, to assist them in handling media interest surrounding the disappearance of their three-year-old daughter from the Portuguese resort of Praia de Luz in May, 2007. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's PM programme, Mr Mitchell said three suspect calls had been made to Vodafone – his mobile phone operator. - 22nd January 2011

- An unnamed 35-year-old businessman informed police he believed he saw the girl with a man 'identical' to a suspect connected with Madeleine's disappearance. The man was said to be very skinny with a moustache and a 'scary appearance' and was accompanied by two women.He said: 'The woman with him was also very thin,' according to The Sun. 'Behind them I saw a little girl, about seven or eight years old, with a black woman in a veil.' He added: 'The girl looked so similar to the young Madeleine.' Private investigators hired by Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann, along with Interpol, are said to be looking into the sighting. - 20th January 2011