Kate (right) and Gerry McCann (centre) leave the Catholic Church of Sacred Heart with their children in Rothley, central England, yesterday. (REUTERS)

LONDON • A millionaire businessman has joined Virgin boss Richard Branson in providing financial backing to the parents of missing Madeleine McCann as they attempt to clear their names.

Brian Kennedy, who is estimated to be worth about £250m, said yesterday he felt compelled to help Gerry and Kate McCann fight the "incredible accusations" against them.

The McCanns daughter went missing from the bedroom of their holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, Portugal on May 3 days before her fourth birthday.

Portuguese authorities declared the couple formal suspects earlier this month after questioning them separately for hours, but they have filed no charges against them.

Cheshire-based Kennedy, who owns the Latium Group and rugby union team Sale Sharks, said in a statement: "In light of the quite literally incredible accusations against Gerry and Kate McCann, which are clearly exacerbating their emotional torture, I felt compelled to offer-along with other like-minded businessmen-financial support and the full logistical support of the Latium team."

Virgin boss billionaire Richard Branson said last Sunday he would donate £100,000 to create a fund to help pay the couple's legal bills.

Kennedy said his company had given the McCanns the help of its in-house lawyer Ed Smethurst and was paying for their new official spokesman, Clarence Mitchell.

"This will relieve the McCanns of the daily pressure of co-ordinating the legal teams that will expedite the clearing of Gerry and Kate's names, allowing all parties to refocus on finding Madeleine," Kennedy added.

On Wednesday, the Portuguese prosecutor in charge of the case said he had no plans to re-interview the McCanns.

Luis Bilro Verao said no new conditions were imposed on them. They were obliged only to inform authorities of their whereabouts if they decide to leave their home in Rothley, central England, for more than five days.

Hundreds of people from around the world contacted police offering help after the McCanns launched a massive publicity campaign to find their daughter.

Pictures of Madeleine have been posted across Europe at schools, airports and restaurants and the McCanns have met Pope Benedict, who blessed a picture of the little girl.