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Dad Of Missing Man Slams Continued Funding of Madeleine McCann Probe

Dad Of Missing Man Slams Continued Funding of Madeleine McCann Probe

Paul Whinham, whose 31-year-old son Michael went missing in 2015, has written to Theresa May to complain

Paddy Maddison

Paddy Maddison

A dad who has been looking for his missing son for over two years has slammed the Government after it was revealed that more funds are to be released to help with the Madeleine McCann inquiry.

Paul Whinham, whose 31-year-old son Michael went missing in 2015, has written to Theresa May to complain about the resources freed up for the seven-year probe, as a 'final line of inquiry' is investigated.

Paul, from Wallsend, Tyneside, said: "There's people like me all over the country being told there's no more the police can do and yet this one case gets all the money and attention.

Paul told the Sun he penned the letter a few months ago, saying: "I wrote asking why all missing people weren't being treated equally.

"The policing minister Nick Hurd wrote back to say that every inquiry gets the same treatment, but then goes on to say that when Theresa May was Home Secretary she set up a special unit to look for Madeleine McCann.

"If that's not preferential treatment, I don't know what is."

Michael went missing from his Newcastle home in 2015, but despite the police having found no trace, Paul remains hopeful that he will turn up.

Michael disappeared in 2015 (
NCJ Media)

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "We can understand Mr Whinham's frustration and know how distressing the disappearance of a loved can be. It has always been our hope to find Michael.

"Our enquiry to find him very much remains open.

"A team of officers were dedicated to investigating Michael's disappearance who carried out extensive lines of enquiry.

"Unfortunately, the investigation reached a point where all lines of enquiry were exhausted and at this point it was necessary for us disband the dedicated team.

"We have not given up on finding Michael and if anyone has any evidence that could help us locate him then we would urge them to get in touch."

PA

Madeleine McCann vanished from her family's holiday apartment in Portugal, aged three, in 2007.

Since her disappearance, over £11 million has been spent on the probe in an attempt to help track her down.

Kerry Needham, mother of missing toddler ben, has also been openly critical of the amount of help she has received in the search for her son.

The 43-year-old said: "I've had to fight alone as a single mum and tried to get the help that Ben deserves and that we deserve as a family."

Featured Image Credit: NCJ Media

Topics: Police, UK News, News, Madeleine McCann