Madeleine McCann detective claims he has uncovered bombshell new clue in Jay Slater case

The former copper has been in close contact with a number of witnesses including Jay's family and friends, and has been updating cops on his findings while working on the ground.

Now, he has claimed that the apprentice bricklayer left the AirBnB accommodation "scared" before embarking on an 11-hour trek back to his hotel on the south of the island.

In a video posted on his X account, he said: "We know now that Jay took certain actions while at the rental because he was clearly worried about his own safety. This was shortly before he decided to leave.

"In the last few days, I have received a significant new piece of information which I've shared with both the British and Spanish police.

"This provides some clarity as to why Jay left in a hurry and did not want to return to the rental even though his phone was about to go flat."

The ex-cop did not reveal more details about the new piece of information in his update.

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After spending days digging into the bizarre case, Mark said he has spoken to a host of people getting in touch with information.

He said: "Amongst these many contacts we have received valuable information that we've been able to turn into useful intelligence.

But he also warned: "I know the Internet is awash with theories. Some are massively wild speculation. Others have elements of the truth. But overwhelmingly, many are just made up."

"We've still not found evidence of a third party criminal involvement in Jay's disappearance, although we have opened up links with dangerous criminal underworld of drugs and associated crime. We have a number of outstanding actions that still require completing and remain open-minded with our investigation."

Earlier this month, Tenerife’s Guardia Civil has called off the search for the apprentice bricklayer after helicopters, drones and search dogs were deployed to find him.

The search in the village of Masca, near his last-known location, took in a steep rocky area, including ravines, trails and paths.

Slater had attended the NRG music festival with two friends before his disappearance, and his last known location was the Rural de Teno Park in the north of the Canary Island – which was about an 11-hour walk from his accommodation.

He had travelled to an Airbnb in Masca and the two men said to have rented the property were later ruled “not relevant” to the case, according to reports.