A German paedophile who has been named as a suspect in the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann has an alibi which is backed by several people, fresh claims reveal.
Last week, Christian Brueckner was named as an arguido - suspect - by Portuguese authorities who are continuing to investigate the case which is fast approaching its 15th anniversary. While the German has not been charged yet, it was seen as a sign that he was about to be.
However, the Mirror reports that four witnesses have come forward to support an alibi Brueckner has given. The alibi describes his whereabouts in the days leading up to Maddie's disappearance while on a family holiday in Prais da Luz on May 3, 2007, when she was three years old.
Read more: Madeleine McCann's parents 'not given up hope' daughter is alive
The claims make up part of a Channel 5 documentary 'Madeleine McCann: Investigating The Prime Suspect' which will be shown on May 3 to mark the anniversary of the incident which remains unsolved. The show will be hosted by Mark Williams-Thomas, a former police detective who has been speaking to Brueckner, 44, for some time.
It is set to pile fresh heartache on Maddie's parents Gerry and Kate, who was born in Huyton and went to Notre Dame High School in Everton Valley. Following the news of Brueckner being named a suspect, the couple said they still hold on to "slim" hope that they will see their daughter again one day.
But a Channel 5 insider said: "Christian Brueckner has provided a very detailed alibi for the days leading up to and after Madeleine’s disappearance. That has been checked out by our team and fully examined.
"We’ve spoken to four people who have gone on the record to independently, in different ways, support his alibi. They have got nothing to benefit from supporting him and, in fact, a couple of those people really don’t like him but they have still backed his account."
Speaking directly about Brueckner for the first time, Kate and Gerry said in a statement: "We welcome the news that the Portuguese authorities have declared a German man an arguido. This reflects progress in the investigation. Even though the possibility may be slim, we have not given up hope that Madeleine is still alive and we will be reunited with her."
It is thought Brueckner has been made a suspect as there is a strict 15-year time limit for a murder charge in Portugal, which is close to expiring. Brueckner, serving seven years in Germany for the 2005 rape of a pensioner, was first named as a suspect by German police in June 2020 after tracing a mobile they believe he was using on the night to a phone mast near where Madeleine’s family were staying.
Brueckner’s lawyer, Friedrich Fulscher, said: "This move by the Portuguese authorities should not be overstated. Does this step amount to an accusation? No, not at all."
