British Ambassador John Buck, who is with the McCanns in the Algarve, said they have been joined by three Family Liaison Officers from Leicestershire Police.
Mr McCann's sister Philomena, criticised the Portuguese police for initially "playing down" their response to the disappearance.
She has been in phone contact with her brother.
Speaking from her home in Glasgow, she said: "He thinks it's just too little, too late.
"It was hours before the local police turned up and we're talking two bobbies that totally downplayed the incident and said that Maddie had maybe just wandered off."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6627605.stm
Mr McCann's sister Philomena, criticised the Portuguese police for initially "playing down" their response to the disappearance.
She has been in phone contact with her brother.
Speaking from her home in Glasgow, she said: "He thinks it's just too little, too late.
"It was hours before the local police turned up and we're talking two bobbies that totally downplayed the incident and said that Maddie had maybe just wandered off."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6627605.stm
