Scotland Yard are to "bring their expertise" to the search for Madeleine McCann after a personal request from the Prime Minister.
A Home Office spokesman said: "The Prime Minister and the Home Secretary have today agreed with Sir Paul Stephenson that the Metropolitan Police will bring its particular expertise to this case."
The spokesman added that the Government hopes Scotland Yard can bring a new perspective to the case and the Home Office will be providing "the necessary financial support".
He went on: "The Government's primary concern has always been and remains the safe return of Madeleine.
"Although she disappeared in Portugal, and the Portuguese retain the lead responsibility in the case, law enforcement agencies here have continued to follow up leads and pass information to the Portuguese authorities as appropriate."
He added that it would not be appropriate to discuss details at this stage.
The move comes after Kate and Gerry McCann hit out at the actions of the Home Office, saying it had offered "words, but no action" to assist them in the investigation.
They welcomed the review and thanked the Government for committing such a significant resource as the Met.
"This is clearly a step in the right direction," they said.
"The expertise of the Metropolitan Police is renowned and we are reassured by our Government's commitment to the search for Madeleine.
"We would like to thank (David) Cameron and the Home Secretary for committing such a significant resource as the Metropolitan Police to begin this review process.
"We would also like to thank the general public for the way in which they have continued to support our campaign to find Madeleine."
The couple had earlier made an impassioned plea to the Prime Minister, writing him a letter and urging him to call for a joint UK-Portugal review of all the information gathered since Madeleine vanished four years ago.
Their letter began: "As a devoted father and family man, you know the importance of children."
In a reply published in The Sun newspaper, Mr Cameron said: "Your ordeal is every parent's nightmare and my heart goes out to you both.
"I simply cannot imagine the pain you must have experienced over these four agonising years, and the strength and determination you have both shown throughout is remarkable.
"I sincerely hope this fresh approach will provide the investigation with the new momentum that it needs."
Speaking to Sky News, the McCanns' spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said the review would give the couple strength.
"They are reassured that the British Government is showing a definite commitment to the search for Maddie - something they have been asking for years," he said, adding that they needed to know that nothing had been missed.
"They want to look at what has come in since 2008; Kate and Gerry want the authorities in both countries to work together to resolve this."
He said there was no evidence that anything had happened to Madeleine "good or bad" and that had given hope to her parents.Source=SkyNews
A Home Office spokesman said: "The Prime Minister and the Home Secretary have today agreed with Sir Paul Stephenson that the Metropolitan Police will bring its particular expertise to this case."
The spokesman added that the Government hopes Scotland Yard can bring a new perspective to the case and the Home Office will be providing "the necessary financial support".
He went on: "The Government's primary concern has always been and remains the safe return of Madeleine.
"Although she disappeared in Portugal, and the Portuguese retain the lead responsibility in the case, law enforcement agencies here have continued to follow up leads and pass information to the Portuguese authorities as appropriate."
He added that it would not be appropriate to discuss details at this stage.
The move comes after Kate and Gerry McCann hit out at the actions of the Home Office, saying it had offered "words, but no action" to assist them in the investigation.
They welcomed the review and thanked the Government for committing such a significant resource as the Met.
"This is clearly a step in the right direction," they said.
"The expertise of the Metropolitan Police is renowned and we are reassured by our Government's commitment to the search for Madeleine.
"We would like to thank (David) Cameron and the Home Secretary for committing such a significant resource as the Metropolitan Police to begin this review process.
"We would also like to thank the general public for the way in which they have continued to support our campaign to find Madeleine."
The couple had earlier made an impassioned plea to the Prime Minister, writing him a letter and urging him to call for a joint UK-Portugal review of all the information gathered since Madeleine vanished four years ago.
Their letter began: "As a devoted father and family man, you know the importance of children."
In a reply published in The Sun newspaper, Mr Cameron said: "Your ordeal is every parent's nightmare and my heart goes out to you both.
"I simply cannot imagine the pain you must have experienced over these four agonising years, and the strength and determination you have both shown throughout is remarkable.
"I sincerely hope this fresh approach will provide the investigation with the new momentum that it needs."
Speaking to Sky News, the McCanns' spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said the review would give the couple strength.
"They are reassured that the British Government is showing a definite commitment to the search for Maddie - something they have been asking for years," he said, adding that they needed to know that nothing had been missed.
"They want to look at what has come in since 2008; Kate and Gerry want the authorities in both countries to work together to resolve this."
He said there was no evidence that anything had happened to Madeleine "good or bad" and that had given hope to her parents.Source=SkyNews
