Detectives from the Metropolitan Police are reportedly pushing for Christian Brueckner to stand trial in Britain for the abduction and murder of Madeleine McCann.
Brueckner, 48, was named as the prime suspect in the toddler’s disappearance by German police while serving a sentence for the rape of a pensioner.
However charges were never brought – and he was released last year.
Now, one of Scotland Yard’s most senior officers is leading a push to charge Brueckner by the end of the year.
The Met wants to see him stand trial at the Old Bailey and is confident it can present a strong enough case to see the Crown Prosecution Service bring charges.
But the German constitution does not allow the extradition of its citizens to countries not in the European Union – meaning the suspect’s transfer to the United Kingdom could cause a diplomatic row.
Brueckner was living just a mile away from the Praia da Luz hotel where Madeleine had been staying with her family at the time of her disappearance in 2007.
If Berlin rejects any extradition request, British officers are understood to be committed to ensuring that he faces charges in either Germany or Portugal.
Hellbound and Down 