A Portuguese military aircraft took photos of the Algarve coastline on the day the three-year-old dis appeared, says British military expert Philip Burden.
He claims the images were clear enough to identify buildings and peoples faces and were offered to Portuguese police when Nato officials later learned of Madeleines disappearance. Mr Burden said: The aircraft may provide a new lead in the hunt for Madeleine. During the early and late evening of May 3, 2007, the day Madeleine disappeared from the holiday resort of Praia da Luz, the plane took aerial photos of that stretch of the Algarve.
"It was on a Nato training exercise and had been used on similar missions over other European countries at other times."
Writer Mr Burden added: "According to my source, strips of film were later passed to the Portuguese police following their appeal for information about Madeleine's disappearance.
"I'm told that there were a number of low-level passes over the resort as part of a lengthy photo reconnaissance training mission. Although the light was fading, people and buildings could be clearly seen."
Portuguese police thanked the Portuguese Air Force for sending the film at the time but the pictures were not evident when secret police files were published later.
Asked to confirm or deny the claims, a Scotland Yard spokesman said: "We are not giving a running commentary."
If good images exist, they could prove vital in establishing what was going on at crucial times around the Ocean Club holiday complex. Spy cameras are so sophisticated they can pick out the registration number of vehicles and, in ideal conditions, tell the colour of a person's eyes.
The claims come at an emotional time for Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, as they prepare to celebrate Christmas with eight-year-old twins Sean and Amelie, with their missing daughter very much at the centre of their thoughts.
On Monday Kate was close to tears at a service at St Martin-in-the-Fields church in London arranged by the charity Missing People, for whom she is an ambassador.
Kate read the words of the Billie Holliday classic I'll Be Seeing You, which moved many in the packed congregation. The lyrics, particularly poignant at this time of year, include the lines: "I'll be seeing you, in all the old familiar places."
Kate's reading gave strength and encouragement to other parents facing the same heart-wrenching void in their lives.
Charity patron Sir Trevor McDonald, the former ITV newsreader, welcomed guests to the service marking the 20th anniversary of the charity.
Sir Trevor said: "It represents a time, if only brief, for those of us who have not been personally affected by the disappearance of someone we love to join in solidarity with those of you here tonight who are living in limbo, with all the grief and hope that brings."
A particularly moving part of the service came when Peter Boxell spoke of his feelings over the disappearance of his son Lee, who vanished in Sutton, Surrey, in 1988, aged just 15. Mr Boxell said: "For many months, Christine and I were afraid to leave the house in case we missed a call from Lee."
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/44...-have-photographed-Madeleine-McCann-abduction
