BRITAIN: McCann inquiry 'over in January'.

DETECTIVES investigating Madeleine McCann's disappearance could conclude the inquiry as soon as January 3, the lawyer for the first suspect in the case said today.

Francisco Pagarete said a public prosecutor would decide early in the New Year whether to charge his client, Robert Murat, or parents Kate and Gerry McCann.

Under Portuguese law, the evidence-gathering process will then end and the prosecutor will either formally accuse one or more of the three or shelve the case.

Mr Pagarete predicted this was most likely to happen on January 3, exactly eight months after Madeleine vanished.

The other possible date is January 14, eight months after Mr Murat was named arguido.

Mr Pagarete said: "On that day we will know what is going to be the public prosecutor's choice.

"He either accuses according to the evidence they have already gathered, or according to the same evidence he files the case against my client.

"It is the end of the inquiry for all of the defendants - the inquiry has to finish at the same time for everyone.

"At that time we will see all the decisions for all the defendants. I'm certain it will be either the 3rd or the 14th."

The lawyer said he believed it was "not possible" for Algarve-based prosecutor Jose Cunha de Magalhaese Meneses to request additional time to gather evidence.

Mr Pagarete said Mr Murat was "not afraid of the result of the inquiry" because there was "nothing against" him.

Mr Murat and the McCanns strenuously deny having any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance.

Mr and Mrs McCann made a personal appeal to UK residents who were staying in the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz on the day Madeleine went missing but are still to come forward.

Letters sent earlier this year by Leicestershire Police to all those holidaying at the resort on May 3 produced "a good response", said the couple's spokesman, Clarence Mitchell.

But it is thought there could be dozens of Britons who were there at the same time as the McCanns but have not yet contacted police.

In a statement, the couple, from Rothley, Leicestershire, said: "We would like to thank everyone who has already come forward with information."