A HAMPSHIRE man involved in the case of missing Madeline McCann has been contacted by the child's mum in a plea for information.

It was reported today that Kate McCann phoned key-witness Paul Gordon, 32, from Fareham to ask him to give evidence to private investigators continuing the search for the missing girl.

Mr Gordon told Portuguese police that he had seen a 'creepy' man who asked him for cash when he was staying in Praia da Luz last year.

The man approached him when he was renting the flat where a week later Madeline, then aged three, was snatched.

Mr Gordon has reportedly told Mrs McCann that he would not divulge any more information after speaking to the authorities, and Portuguese police refuse to issue an e-fit of the man he described over fears it could prejudice any future court hearings.

Kate and Gerry McCann today withdrew their application to the High Court in London to force British police to hand over evidence to them, after Leicestershire Constabulary agreed to share 81 pieces of information with them.