Madeleine McCann’s parents given ‘false hope’ by cops who claim they are chasing ‘critical leads’, ex-detective says

THE parents of missing Madeleine McCann have been given false hope by police who claim they are chasing critical leads, according to former detective.

Met Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said he is following up “critical” leads on the tenth anniversary of the tot’s disappearance.

But former police detective Mark Williams-Thomas, 46, has since revealed his “concern” over claims, reports.

Speaking ahead of the 10-year anniversary Mr Rowley said they are following up “significant” leads.

Asked if police were any closer to solving the case than they were six years ago when the UK investigation was launched, Mr Rowley said: “I know we have a significant line of inquiry which is worth pursuing, and because it’s worth pursuing it could provide an answer, but until we’ve gone through it I won’t know whether we are going to get there or not.

“Ourselves and the Portuguese are doing a critical piece of work and we don’t want to spoil it by putting titbits of information out publicly.”

He declined to expand on the nature of the working theories or reveal whether any suspects were currently being considered, saying that disclosing further detail would not help the investigation.

Mr Rowley said: "We've got some critical lines of inquiry, those link to particular hypotheses, but I'm not going to discuss those because those are very much live investigation.

"We've got some thoughts on what we think the most likely explanations might be and we are pursuing those."

But Mr Williams-Thomas tweeted: “Met Police say have a ‘signifi cant line of inquiry that may give the answer’. Concern they are using such strong words #MadeleineMcCann

“At one stage the Met Police treated the burglary theory as ‘signifi cant line of inquiry’. Was never credible – now as good as ruled out.

“Very careful choice of words is always crucial – am not sure ‘credible & answer’ are best choice.”

Mr Williams-Thomas added: “Again the McCanns wake up to headlines of major developments – ‘signifi cant lead that may provide the answer.’ Met have to deliver this time.’’

Kate and Gerry McCann have previously hit out at ITV’s This Morning for using Mark Williams-Thomas to voice his “astonishing new theory” about Maddie’s disappearance, according to a close pal.

Maddie disappeared in May 2007 while on holiday with her family in Portugal.

She vanished from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz while her parents Kate and Gerry were dining nearby with friends.

When Kate returned to check on the kids at around 10pm that evening, she discovered that Maddie was not in her bed and was missing.