Yet another story is published today about a reported sighting of Madeleine McCann in Morocco.

A woman told detectives she even recognised the distinctive fleck in Madeleine’s eye, where her pupil runs into her iris.

Naoual Malhi, who alerted police about the sighting a month ago, said she had spotted Madeleine with an older woman, who tried to hide the girl.

"I knew the minute I saw her from close-up that it was Madeleine.

"She caught our attention because she was so blonde and pretty. As we walked up to them the woman tried to hide the girl behind her and shield her face.

"She was dressed in jeans and an orange jumper. She was exactly the same as in the pictures except she had a bump like a bruise on the left side of her forehead and her hair was a lot shorter, like a boy’s."

If that was the case, why didn’t the woman approach the child, speak to her, mention her suspicions to other adults nearby so they could approach them together.

If I had been in her shoes, I would have found it impossible not to speak to the child and ask her her name. If it turned out to be a case of mistaken identity, I would apologise to the family and explain my reasons, praise them for their lovely daughter and wish them a happy day.

I wouldn’t spend the rest of my time saying "if only I had …"

In memory of those who are still missing.