ROBERT Murat, the man questioned by Portuguese police over the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, would rather "help than hinder", one of his friends said today.
ROBERT Murat, the man questioned by Portuguese police over the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, would rather "help than hinder", one of his friends said today.
The villa of Mr Murat, formerly of Hockering, near Norwich, has been trawled by police.
His home is 150 yards from where the four-year-old was abducted.
Officers swooped after a female journalist from an English Sunday national newspaper went to police after she became suspicious of Mr Murat, who had been a translator for the media.
He is said to have ceased to do so after he claimed his presence was becoming a distraction.
Geoffrey Livock, 71, of Hockering, said: "The police have only taken him in for questioning. Like we were saying in the pub last night, he would rather help than hinder anyone. I don't know what to make of it. I'm shocked by it.
"He got on with everybody. He used to come up to the pub and have a laugh and joke and have a game of darts or pool.
"I didn't know anyone to dislike him.''
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