A convicted child abuser imprisoned in Germany has been made an “official suspect” by police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

The three-year-old girl disappeared from her family’s rented holiday apartment in the Portuguese town of Praia da Luz nearly 15 years ago.

Overnight, Portuguese prosecutors declared convicted child abuser and rapist Christian B an ‘arguido’ or a formal suspect in the case.

The 44-year-old is currently in prison in Germany for raping a 72-year-old woman in the same town Madeleine disappeared from in 2005.

The parents of Madeleine McCann, Kate and Gerry McCann, present their new book at a hotel in Hamburg, Germany, 16-09-2011. Image: dpa picture alliance archive / Alamy Stock Photo

The prosecutors have not charged him in relation to the British child’s disappearance and it is understood they are making him an official suspect to prevent an upcoming 15-year statute of limitations from impacting their ability to charge him later.

Christian B reportedly stayed silent after being informed he was a formal suspect and declined to be questioned.

He has previously denied being involved in Madeleine's disappearance.

He became a suspect in the investigation after allegedly confessing to kidnapping Madeleine while sitting in a German bar on the 10th anniversary of her abduction.

Handout Photo of Madeleine McCann.

Portugal's attorney general agreed to reopen the investigation in October 2013 – more than five years after it was archived.

Portuguese authorities insisted earlier this month they would continue to investigate even if the UK Police investigation comes to an end.

If you have been impacted by any of the issues discussed in this article you can contact the Rape Crisis Centre National 24-Hour Helpline at 1800 77 8888.