The Metropolitan Police will get the go ahead for hundreds of thousands of pounds in new funding for the Madeleine McCann investigation, according to reports.
A new request has been submitted by the Metropolitan Police over recent days, with sources claiming this is likely to be approved by the Home Office.
Maddie disappeared aged three while on holiday with her family in Praia da Luz, Portugal in 2007.
A total of £13 million has been spent on the search since the Met was brought in to manage a new taskforce named Operation Grange at the request of then Home Secretary Theresa May in 2011.
This went on to begin a new investigation that has seen the force work with Portuguese authorities to pursue specific lines of enquiry.
Ministers previously approved a request for £302,470 of funding for the last financial year, 2022/23.
Now, a new special grant for the same amount looks set to go ahead, reports The Sun, reassuring investigators who feared that funding may be cut.
A source close to the investigation described the reports as "excellent news", adding that her parents Kate and Gerry will be "delighted".
"It gives fresh hope", he said.
Former Metropolitan Police detective Peter Bleksley meanwhile commented to the newspaper that "as long as there are unanswered questions I can see why there is a case".
But he admitted that at a "time of squeezed budgets" he understood why "eyebrows would be raised" by some at another round of funding.
Home Office spokesperson confirmed that a new application for a Special Grant had been submitted and said it would be considered according to the usual process.
They said: "We have received an application from the Metropolitan Police Service for the funding of Operation Grange for the 2023/24 financial year.
“It will be considered, as usual, in line with our Special Grant process.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson meanwhile said the force does not comment on funding requests or discuss the specific resources of any investigation, adding that any request was a decision for the Home Office.
Last month, it was reported German authorities remain “convinced” 46-year-old paedophile Christian Brueckner abducted and murdered the British youngster in Portugal in 2007.
But more than three years since they named him as their prime suspect, they appear no nearer charging him.
A friend told the Mirror that prosecutors had admitted they are struggling to get enough evidence against him, leading them to re-interview Brueckner’s associates in a bid to crack the case once and for all.
