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London: The father of four-year-old Madeleine McCann flew home to England yesterday for the first time since she went missing in Portugal more than two weeks ago, his family said.
Madeleine's great uncle Brian Kennedy said Gerry McCann was making a "brief, private visit", but would not confirm details of the trip.
Kate McCann has stayed with her twin two-year-olds at the Algarve holiday resort of Praia da Luz, where Madeleine was snatched from her bedroom on May 3.
"I know his visit was planned to be very short," Kennedy told reporters. "This is all I can say at present and we thank everyone for their continued support."
Newspaper reports said McCann would use his visit to deal with routine domestic matters and liaise with organisers of the campaign to help find Madeleine.
The findmadeleine.com website has received more than 100 million hits and 76,000 messages of support from around the world.
A video appealing for help in finding Madeleine was screened at the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester United at the new Wembley on Saturday.
So far, one suspect has been identified by police - a 33-year-old who lives in the area - but his name has not been made public and he has not been charged.
McCann, from Rothley, Leicestershire, is expected to return to Portugal today.
Reward
Harry Potter author JK Rowling and billionaire Richard Branson are among the celebrities and business leaders who have contributed to a reward fund for information leading to the girl's return that tops £2.5 million (Dh18.1 million).
Police struggle to make breakthrough
Portuguese police have so far been unable to announce any major breakthroughs in the case leading some members of the British press to accuse them of incompetence.
Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa, who is heading the police investigation in Portugal, told a packed news conference that police had received information about a number of possible sightings. All were investigated but nothing came of them.
Police on Tuesday identified a 33-year-old British man, named by the media as Robert Murat, as a formal suspect. But they said they did not have enough evidence to charge him with any crime.
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