Detectives aim to see Maddy suspect

A former Shropshire convicted paedophile today said he was willing to be quizzed by private investigators over the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

Raymond Hewlett, who used to live in Woodside, Telford, was wheeled out of a German hospital this morning where he denied any involvement in the disappearance of the three-year-old.

Hewlett, who is understood to be receiving treatment for throat cancer, protested his innocence and insisted he was prepared to meet the former British detectives hired by Kate and Gerry McCann.

The 64-year-old told reporters outside the hospital in Aachen: "I have nothing to hide. I am willing to talk with them."

Hewlett was living in Tavira in southern Portugal when Gerry and Kate McCann's daughter vanished on May 3, 2007, from the holiday apartment in Praia da Luz. Hewlett was living about an hour's drive from the holiday resort.

Clarence Mitchell, McCann family spokesman, said: "The investigators are pleased to hear that Mr Hewlett has agreed to speak to them. An interview with him will be arranged and will take place in due course.

"We will not be going into public detail about where or when that interview will take place.

"Mr Hewlett has again denied any involvement in Madeleine's abduction and if it helps to eliminate him from the private investigation then he has done the right thing by indicating that he will speak to the inv-estigators currently helping Kate and Gerry McCann."

The ex-car dealer was jailed for kidnapping a schoolgirl in Cheshire while living in Wellsfield, Woodside. He was also convicted for several sexual offences against young girls, with the longest sentence of six years in 1988.

Hewlett is wanted by British and Irish police in connection with a number of inquiries, dating back several decades. Madeleine was almost four when she went missing while her parents dined with friends nearby. Despite a massive police investigation and huge publicity worldwide, she has not been found.

By Kirsty Smallman