Christian Brueckner told friend Madeleine McCann ‘didn’t scream’

'He has something to do with it'

Helge Busching was friends with Christian Brueckner before he contacted the police about his former friend's alleged connection to Madeleine McCann.

In an interview with the German publication Bild, he claimed Scotland Yard ignored his tip-off.

Brueckner remains the key suspect in the Madeleine McCann case but has never been charged in connection with her disappearance.

Busching told the publication that his former friend told him Madeleine 'didn't scream'.

They met at a music festival in Spain when Brueckner allegedly made a confession about the young British girl.

"I thought: 'He knows that. He has something to do with it.' But he also checked that I understood that and then left at night," he shared.

Busching tried to find Brueckner the following morning, but he was nowhere to be found.

"I called Scotland Yard back in 2008. At the Maddie hotline. I said I knew someone who might have something to do with it and gave them the name. But nothing happened there. Nothing! I was never called back," he claimed.

Busching then called Scotland Yard in 2017, after serving time in prison in Greece, and said "they listened to me".

The key witness also claims German police and his lawyer advised him to keep quiet about Brueckner.

Madeleine McCann has been missing since May 2007. Police still don't know what happened to the young girl on the night she disappeared, but continue searching for her.

In May, police searched Arade dam, about 30 miles from Praia da Luz, where Madeleine was last seen alive.

The search was brought to an end at on May 25, with police being told they are no longer needed at the scene.

The reservoir is said to be a favourite spot of Brueckner's.

Related links:

Madeleine McCann: Police receive tip to search ‘two more spots linked to main suspect’

‘Relevant clue’ found in Maddie McCann reservoir search

Madeleine McCann cop says clue from German police shows ‘they clearly know something’