Mari Supports Kate

[Charlie_x]

THE mum of missing Mari Luz Cortes has backed Kate McCann in the battle to clear her name over Maddie’s disappearance.

Distraught Irene Suarez, 30, insisted Kate did not kill Maddie, as suspected by Portuguese cops.


She spoke as police continued to hunt for five-year-old Mari, who went missing on Sunday in Huelva, Spain - just a 90-minute drive from the Portuguese resort where Maddie, four, disappeared.

Mum-of-three Irene said: “With all the speculation that Mrs McCann could be guilty of killing her child, I said that’s all lies. A daughter is very special. For a mother to do anything like that is unthinkable.”

She has been sent a note of support from Kate and husband Gerry, who suggested a joint poster campaign to find the girls.

Irene urged the couple, both 39, from Rothley, Leics, to “use all your strength, don’t give up”.

She added: “I believe Madeleine will be found.”

It is feared the same kidnapper took both girls. Maddie vanished from an apartment in Praia da Luz on May 3. Mari went missing 120 miles away while buying crisps.

Holding her daughter’s doll, Irene sobbed: “Try to be strong, Mummy is waiting for you.”

Meanwhile, Portugal’s Attorney General Fernando Pinto Monteiro proposed ending time limits on secret police investigations. Currently cops have to reveal their evidence after a fixed period.

The McCanns are still waiting to see their files.