Home Office replies to a Freedom of Information Act request about the 'Letter to Portugal'

By Sharonl - September 2013

THE QUESTION

The Home Secretary Theresa May has sent an official request to Lisbon for permission for Scotland Yard to begin a new investigation in Portugal into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

It follows the disclosure that the Met has identified 38 potential suspects - including 12 Britons - who are “of interest” because of their presence in Portugal when Madeleine vanished".

In relation to the above, please provide the following information:

1. The date the letter to the Portuguese was sent

2. To whom (name of department and person) the letter was sent (the article merely says it was sent 'to Lisbon'), and

3. The full text of the letter.”

THE ANSWER

The Home Secretary did not send the Letter of Request to Portugal.

The letter was sent by the Crown Prosecution Service.

However, the Home Office can confirm in answer to your questions that;

1) The letter was sent on 17 July 2013.

2) The letter was addressed to Magistrat Du Parquet, Procuradoria General de la Republica.

3) The letter itself is exempt from disclosure under sections 27(1)(a), 31(1)(a), and 31(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act.

The reasons why we have taken this decision are:

Section 27(1)(a) - International Relations

Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice relations between the United Kingdom and any other State. It would be a breach of trust to publicly disclose details of ongoing negotiations between two countries.

Section 31(1)(a) – Law Enforcement

Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to prejudice the prevention or detection of crime. This is an ongoing police investigation with several suspects at large.

Section 31(1)(b) – Law Enforcement

Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to prejudice the apprehension or prosecution of offenders. This is an ongoing police investigation with several suspects at large.

If you are dissatisfied with this response you may request an independent internal review of our handling of your request by submitting a complaint within two months to the address below:

Information Access Team
Home Office Ground Floor, Seacole Building
2 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DF
e-mail: info.access@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Matthew Maggs
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