Robert Murat
In November, Robert Murat said claims that authorities wanted to question him further over the disappearance of Madeleine McCann as 'fantasy land' Getty

British police have arrived in Portugal to question 11 people in relation to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann almost eight years ago.

BBC reports say that ex-pat property developer Robert Murat and his wife are also being questioned although they are believed to not be suspects, nor have they been charged with any crimes.

Two other British people and seven Portuguese citizens are also said to be questioned by police but, again, have not been charged with any crimes.

The BBC said the questions are intended to look out for "inconsistencies" with any answers given seven years ago when many of the them were first asked questions relating to Maddie's disappearance.

Madeleine McCann disappeared from the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz in May 2007. British police have helped Portugal's authorities with the case since 2011.

Murat was a former police suspect. He won significant damages from a range of UK newspapers over their coverage of the case.

On 20 November Murat referred to reports that he was to be re-interviewed by police over Maddie's disappearance as "fantasy land".

"At the moment, the situation is I haven't been informed about anything. I really can't say anything about it," he said.

"All I know is I haven't had anything official. No comment. It's all just fantasy land."

His lawyer Francisco Pagarete added: "My client has not received anything from the authorities."

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