DETECTIVES investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are determined to speak to paedophile Ray Hewlett, despite the opposition of hospital authorities.

Dave Edgar and Arthur Cowley were refused a meeting with the British suspect after flying to Germany, where Hewlett is in hospital recovering from throat cancer.

The pair believe that Hewlett could hold vital clues as to what happened to Madeleine. Portu-guese police, who are still in charge of the investigation, also want to meet with him.

Hewlett is a convicted child molester who is wanted for questioning by a number of police forces, including the gardai.

Former detective inspector Dave Edgar, who is now working on behalf of the McCann family, said it was "desperately disappointing" not to be allowed access to Hewlett.

"There is nothing ruling Hewlett out of the investigation," he said. "If he's got nothing to hide, he should speak to us."

They were also met with a wall of silence from Hewlett's partner Mariana when they attempted to contact her.

Hewlett has become a suspect in the case since it was claimed that he and his family were camping just an hour away from where Madeleine vanished in May 2007.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Clarence Mitchell said: "Raymond Hewlett is now well aware that the investigators wish to speak to him. However, the investigators are still waiting for a definitive response from Mr Hewlett. "Clearly, if he is to be eliminated from their inquiries, it is incumbent on Mr Hewlett to talk to the investigators, and the investigators continue to hope he will do so."

The detectives will stay in Germany in the hope of being able to speak with him.

They have been in Aachen since Sunday and spoke briefly with Mariana, the mother of his six children.

Mr Edgar explained: "We were unsure at that point whether she would co-operate or not.

"It would appear certain now that he does not want to talk to us. We want to know where Hewlett was when Madeleine McCann went missing."

Crucial

The Irishman added: "This is the first named person we have flown out to see.

"We want to eliminate this man from our inquiries as quickly as possible.

"His evidence could be crucial, but we won't know until we've spoken to him. It is a matter of urgency because of his medical condition."

The Herald revealed in 2000 how Hewlett (64) has lived on and off in Ireland for the past two decades, spending time in Cork, Sligo, Donegal and Louth.

Gardai made repeated warnings to the public to be on alert after he was discovered living and signing on in a number of locations around the country.

A senior garda has described Hewlett as a serious danger to young girls.

Hewlett has served jail sentences a number of times for sex offences.

kdoyle@herald.ie

- Kevin Doyle