Brown in pledge to Madeleine family

Gordon Brown has met members of Madeleine McCann's family and pledged to help "in any way he can".

The Chancellor insisted the Government would maintain pressure on the Portuguese authorities to keep the search at "maximum intensity".

Madeleine was snatched from her holiday apartment in Portugal 13 days ago while her parents Kate and Gerry were having a meal

During a 20-minute meeting at the Treasury on Wednesday, Mr Brown also told relatives that they should contact him if "practical" assistance was needed while the missing four-year-old's parents were still abroad.

A Treasury spokesman said: "The Chancellor has offered to help in any way he can."

Madeleine's aunt Philomena McCann told reporters after the meeting that Mr Brown was "very helpful".

"It's been extremely helpful and I'm very grateful to Gordon Brown for taking the time to listen to us."

She added: "I'm really impressed, actually. He comes across as very sincere, and I'm not saying that about everyone I meet."

Mr Brown is expected to meet other family members at a later stage to discuss what practical assistance might be needed.

Police in Portugal have so far named Briton Robert Murat, who lives close to where the family were staying in Praia Da Luz, as a formal suspect. Mr Murat maintains he has been made a 'scapegoat' in the investigation.