Portuguese police could lose their chance to convict anyone over the disappearance of Madeleine McCann due to a law that prevents prosecutions after 15 years.

The Scottish Sun reports that legal experts say the time limit means the chances of putting anyone behind bars would be “greatly reduced” after then. 

Accused German national Christian B, 45, who lived near the Praia da Luz resort from where Madeleine vanished at the time, would have to be declared an “official suspect” by May 3, 2022.

Spencer Dohner, of MDM Legal in Faro, said Portugal’s statute of limitations states that anyone behind a crime punishable by ten or more years’ jail “cannot generally be prosecuted once 15 years has passed”.

He said: “If Madeleine is dead and was murdered the cut-off point for prosecution would be the 15th anniversary of her disappearance.

“If she were found alive and had been the victim of sex crimes as a minor, legal proceedings could take place until she was 23.”

A Lisbon-based lawyer, who asked not to be named, said: “Police and prosecutors in Portugal will be acutely aware of the time limits hanging over the case.”

German Police Chief Hans Christian Wolters has said investigators are “confident” they have enough to charge the suspect, who is currently behind for the rape of a pensioner.

He admitted the evidence was “circumstantial”.

Scotland Yard, meanwhile, has decided to wind up its £13million Operation Grange probe in September due to lack of leads, The Scottish Sun reports.

Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry, are thought to have some private funding to help them continue with the search for their daughter.