Last updated at 16:19pm on 11th April 2008

Kate and Gerry McCann have launched a counter-attack against Portuguese police as the row over leaked statements about their daughter’s disappearance escalated into a war of words.

Police were warned by the couple’s official spokesman that the “gloves are off” after what he claimed was a “cack-handed” smear campaign timed to disrupt a new appeal by the couple in Brussels.

The McCanns are said to be furious about the release of their statements yesterday, which revealed for the first time that Madeleine had been left sobbing for her mother the night before she vanished.

And today, their spokesman Clarence Mitchell signalled a distinct change in tactics for the couple by lashing out at police and calling on the Portuguese government to stop any leaks to the press once and for all.

Mr Mitchell told Sky News: “This is a blatant and timed attempt against Kate and Gerry to try to deflect attention in the headlines from the success they had at the European Parliament… to try to divert attention onto negative headlines questioning their suitability as parents.

“It is shameless, brazen and very cack-handed and the Portuguese government must now get as grip on whatever element it is in the Portuguese police that is responsible for these leaks and smears.

“They have continued since last summer and when the officer in charge of the inquiry, the man brought in to sort it out, is visiting here, off they go again.

“Its the same old game. We know what they’re up to, it is ridiculous and must stop.”

He added: “Someone in the police does not want Kate and Gerry to widen the agenda for whatever reason. It is wrong, it is illegal and the Portuguese government needs to stop this from happening in the future.”

Mr Mitchell spoke out as chief investigator Paulo Rebelo was returning to the Algarve for a crunch meeting with the private prosecutor who holds the future of the McCanns in his hands.

Mr Rebelo was due to give Portimao public prosecutor Jose Magalhaes e Menezes a detailed run-down of his three-day trip to Britain to sit in on fresh interviews with the couple’s holiday friends.

The meeting is expected to be crucial in determining whether Madeleine’s parents remain official police suspects.

An investigating judge is expected to life a secrecy order on the case on May 15 unless prosecutors ask for a three-month extension.

The McCanns could then demand they are either charged or cleared.

Mr Mitchell had earlier claimed that it seemed to be no coincidence the leak had occurred while Rebelo was in the UK interviewing witnesses in the case.

He said: “It is beyond curious this leak has occurred while Rebelo is in the UK.

“It is outrageous and illegal and Portuguese government needs to look at what elements in its own police force are capable of. We are not happy and the gloves are off.”

The statements, which have been confirmed as genuine, revealed how Kate and Gerry McCann had left their daughter, then three, and twins Sean and Amelie, two, crying in their bedroom and did not respond to their tears.

Mrs McCann told detectives that Madeleine had scolded her the next morning – the last they were to spend together.

It also emerged that Mr McCann said Cuddle Cat, his daughter’s favourite toy, was “almost in the same place” as where he had last seen it.

The couple had previously said that it was found high on a ledge, at adult height, which is how they were so certain that Madeleine had been abducted.

Mrs McCann told police: “While we were having breakfast, Madeleine said, ‘Mummy, why didn’t you come when we were crying last night?’

“Gerry and I spoke for a couple of minutes and agreed to keep a closer watch over the children.”

But, just hours later, the McCanns left the three alone in their unlocked holiday apartment to have dinner with friends.

They have faced furious criticism over the decision, and have spoken of their guilt that an abductor could have watched them leave and then snatched Madeleine.

Mr Mitchell said today that they had listened to Madeleine and had a serious discussion about it but insisted the toddler had been laughing and happy.

“They wanted to question her about it. She just walked off, laughing and happy. She was a child so she [Kate] dropped it,” he said.

“They decided to check more thoroughly the next night and that is what they did.”

Mr and Mrs McCann had told police about the incident because they feared someone could have been in the room the night before and run off when Madeleine began crying, he added.

The row yesterday overshadowed their visit to the European Parliament, where they made an impassioned appeal for a Europe-wide alert system for abducted children.

A friend of the couple said they were “angry and disappointed” about the leak.

He said: “The minute that you talk about Madeleine crying is the minute that the vultures will move in and this is why this has been leaked.

“It is a blatantly cynical attempt to smear them.”

Portuguese police have so far refused to comment about the leaked statements.

But detectives have been infuriated by the couple’s political influence and by Gordon Brown’s interest in the case.

There has also been criticism of the McCanns’ decision to spearhead a campaign while they remain official suspects in the 11-month investigation.

The police statement from Mrs McCann, 40, said she and her husband spoke on the night of May 3, before they went out for dinner, and said what a wonderful holiday they had enjoyed.

Just two hours later, their lives were to be shattered when she returned to the apartment and discovered Madeleine’s bed was empty.

In her statement she said she screamed: “Maddie isn’t there. Someone’s taken her.”

In Mr McCann’s police statement he said: “I thought it couldn’t be and ran towards the apartment along the same route as always. I looked everywhere.”

Madeleine has not been seen since that night, despite scores of unconfirmed sightings.

Her parents have always denied any involvement in her disappearance and any suggestion that they neglected their children.

Yesterday they addressed MEPs in Brussels about a proposed European alert system for abducted children.

They want a similar system to the Amber Alert scheme in the U.S. which sees details of missing children and potential suspects circulated within hours of a disappearance.

Mrs McCann told the Euro MPs of the anguish they had been through.

“Madeleine was an incredibly happy, confident and loved little girl,” she said. “This time last year we were a very happy family.

“I am unable to convey to you just how totally devastating Madeleine’s abduction was. It’s been totally awful.

“If anyone wanted to inflict the maximum amount of pain on us they have certainly achieved that.”

She said she clung to the possibility that Madeleine was alive, saying: “We certainly still have hope.”