Well This is where I lay myself wide open for critisism but who cares?
I'm pleased that it has taken the UK police, UK financial input and the kids found in various parts of Europe in Gypsy camps
to pursuade the Portugese to remove their blindfolds and reopen the case.
If they had done this sooner and spent less time with their officers,hanging around in droves near Julios pulling up innocent drivers to be breathalysed she just may
have been found by now and a few more people may have returned to the Algarve for their holidays. Sorry if the truth hurts
Tin helmet and flak jacket to the ready

I have some sympathy for the initial Portuguese investigation - I don't think the McCann's and friends were particularly up-front about what they were doing or the timings and the British Press were vicious in their reporting and condemnation of the police. However, the Portuguese police have to accept they made a hash of things in the end - I honestly believe its too late now and the little girl is gone - and what trauma she will experience even if a miracle does happen and they find her.

I think this is a very interesting development. The Portuguese police are under-funded and under resourced. Their decision to reopen an effectively closed case, and by consequence commit money and resources, would only happen if they were convinced that there is a valid line of enquiry. They appear not to be influenced by publicity in making this decision - on the contrary general opinion in Portugal appears to be rather anti-McCann, as witnessed by the relocation of the crime scene re-creation to Spain. It will be interesting how the investigation concludes.

Police - southern europe- "round up the usual suspects".