8 Mar 2008

WHAT HAPPENED TO CONTROL RISKS GROUP AND HOW WERE THEY FUNDED?

AS The Times reveal here in their article dated 24 September 2007, the McCanns had apparently engaged this firm which costs thousands of pounds a day from the early stages of Madeleine's disappearance but Gerry McCann was then forced to deny they were interfering with witnesses in Portugal as they would be breaking the law by interfering in the PJ's criminal investigation. If this firm was involved, what did they find out, and why have the McCanns never reported it? We know that any bit of information, no matter how bizarre, suggesting Madeleine was abducted has been very fully publicised by the McCanns via their spin doctor. Could it be that they are a reputable outfit and their investigations led them in a direction the McCanns did not intend? Who was funding this massive cost and why are the McCanns so secretive about the involvement of this firm and also Hogan International who appear to have been finding "defence witnesses" in the UK? Did the Find Maddie Fund genuinely reach a total of £1.2M or could it have been far higher than this - the undisclosed spending would seem to suggest so. Did Mr Geraghty, Gerry's wealthy business friend in PDL agree to store anything else for them, apart from the hire car?

Viv x



Private security team hired by Kate and Gerry McCann for secret investigation
/David Brown in Praia da Luz and Patrick Foster
A private security firm has been secretly investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann for four months because her parents feared that Portuguese police were failing properly to search for their daughter.
Control Risks Group (CRG) is believed to have been checking reported sightings of Madeleine from around the world and building up profiles of likely abductors.
Kate and Gerry McCann turned to the company, which employs former members of the intelligence services and special forces, after becoming concerned that officers in the Algarve assumed their daughter was dead.
A source close to the couple’s legal team confirmed that CRG had been working with the family since May but refused to discuss how the company was being paid.
function pictureGalleryPopup(pubUrl,articleId) {
var newWin = window.open(pubUrl+'template/2.0-0/element/pictureGalleryPopup.jsp?id='+articleId+'&&offset=0&§ionName=WorldEurope','mywindow','menubar=0,resizable=0,width=615,height=655');
}

Madeleine McCann: the key questions
Why are the "Tapas 9" key to solving the Madeleine mystery?
Related Internet Links
The latest full coverage of Madeleine McCann
Background
McCanns forced to consider documentary bids and interviews
Madeleine McCann: the global reaction
The forgotten victim in the McCann case
function pictureGalleryPopup(pubUrl,articleId) {
var newWin = window.open(pubUrl+'template/2.0-0/element/pictureGalleryPopup.jsp?id='+articleId+'&&offset=0&§ionName=WorldEurope','mywindow','menubar=0,resizable=0,width=615,height=655');
}
Multimedia
Pictures: searching for Madeleine-->
Video: McCann family start holiday
Related Links
How they managed to turn campaign around
“Control Risks are one of the groups who’ve offered their services to the McCanns,” he said. “You can assume that they are doing some things that the Portuguese police can’t do.”
Friends of the couple said the decision showed that they believed Madeleine may still be alive 144 days after she was reported missing from the bedroom of her holiday apartment in Praia da Luz.
Mr McCann first contacted private investigation companies less than three weeks after his daughter was reported missing on May 3 because of concerns that the Portuguese police were not properly checking out all reported sightings. But he had publicly to deny that they were using private detectives when Portuguese police said it would be against the law.
Detectives from the PolÍcia Judiciária say that have checked out 250 reported sightings in Portugal and a further 150 from around Europe and North Africa. But the McCanns have privately expressed fears that key pieces of information may not have been acted on. A source close to the family said that they were particularly dismayed that officers had failed properly to investigate two reports that Madeleine had been spotted in Morocco six days after she disappeared.
A British tourist from Yorkshire told police that he saw a girl resembling Madeleine outside the Ibis hotel in Marrakesh. His testimony was identical to that of another tourist, Marie Pollard, 45, from Norway, who claimed that she was “100 per cent convinced” that she saw Madeleine at a police station opposite.
Both witnesses have complained that Portuguese officers were not interested in what they believed were potentially key sightings. Mr and Mrs McCann, both 39, spent two days in Morocco in June to seek assurances from the authorities that sightings would be investigated and to promote the hunt for Madeleine.
“Gerry and Kate McCann have always believed the Morocco sightings were vital,” a friend said. “Kate said her instinct from the start has been that Madeleine was smuggled into North Africa.”
Clarence Mitchell, the couple’s spokesman, said: “We have been aware of it for months. It was made known to us when it happened. All I can say is that any possible sightings, if credible, we hope would be examined thoroughly, whether it’s in Portugal, Spain or anywhere else.”
Other sightings reported in Spain, Malta, Belgium and Switzerland have been ruled out after investigations by local police. The McCanns hope that CRG will help to verify such reports as well as provide information on the type of people who might have abducted Madeleine and support networks that might operate in each country.
The company has more than 600 employees, many former members of MI5, MI6, the SAS and Special Boat Service. It is the highest-earning British security firm operating in Iraq.
A former intelligence expert who has worked with CRG said: “They can offer advice on personal safety, counter safety. For example, who is watching the McCanns and even advice on hostage negotiation should that be needed. In addition . . . they will most likely offer the McCanns security advice and how to deal with bogus tips.”
A CRG spokesman would only say: “Our policy is simply not to talk about our clients. We promise our clients 100 per cent confidentiality - discretion is our watchword.”
Inconclusive proof
What forensic evidence has been collected?
Dozens of samples were recovered from apartments used by the McCanns and another family at the Ocean Club resort. Police have also searched the McCanns’ hire car. The material has been examined by the Forensic Science Service (FSS) in Birmingham
Is there enough evidence to convict Kate and Gerry McCann?
Portuguese detectives have been briefing the media since the middle of August that there was compelling evidence from hair, bodily fluids and blood. But in the past ten days the briefings have been more doubtful. A police source told 24 Horas newspaper yesterday: “There is no element which can definitively state that the body of the little girl was transported in that vehicle”
What does the FSS say about its results?
The laboratory was reported yesterday to have sent an e-mail to Portuguese police complaining that its findings had been “widely misused”. The Mail on Sunday said that the FSS had criticised detectives for overplaying the results and leaking information – most of it inaccurate – to the Portuguese media
What do the British authorities say?
Leicestershire police say they are bound by the Portuguese laws of judicial secrecy and that releasing any information on the case could jeopardise their delicate working relationship with colleagues in Portugal
The rich list bankrolling the McCanns
Brian Kennedy Made £250 million from double glazing and home improvements and now owns Latium Group plastics and Sale Sharks rugby union team. Offered Latium’s in-house lawyer and is paying the McCanns’ new official spokesman, Clarence Mitchell
Sir Richard Branson Contributed to rewards totalling £2.5 million after Madeleine’s disappearance. Has spoken to the McCanns several times and this month donated £100,000 to a fund for their legal costs. “I trust them implicitly,” he said. Is trying to encourage other wealthy people to contribute to the legal fund
Sir Philip Green The billionaire owner of TopShop and BHS lent the McCanns his private jet for their visit to meet the Pope. Known to have been annoyed when news of his involvement emerged and has refused to comment on his current involvement
John Geraghty A 68-year-old businessman from Leicestershire who now lives on the outskirts of Praia da Luz. Offered to store the McCanns’ hire car so that they could commission independent forensic tests

29 comments:

2345 said...

Felicity,

Thanks for the articles and links which I'll read in greater depth tomorrow. My initial reaction is that any concerns regarding FSS interpretations would have been referred by them to Leicester Police for liaison with PJ. FSS are working directly for the Police; media commenting from them is probably spun by CM.

British Police not only listened in on McCanns' interviews with PJ, they furnished the BBC with the damning forensic content of Jane Hill's report.

The element which has been causing disruption is Government led ... what influence did they endeavour to wield with forensic testing and results ?

Control Risks Group were also being paid unknown sums to operate alongside deployment of cadavers. The McCanns must have been petrified by Eddie & Keela's arrival with our Police, their indisputable positive detections and subsequent FSS results. Likewise ministers who jumped into the hole to aid and abet the parents. What a disgusting sordid business this is ... words fail me. 8.50 p.m.

Wizard said...

Hi Felicity,

The investigative firms employed are of course employed by the McCanns; therefore, their remit as far as I can see is to explore an abduction theory and nothing else. They subsequently report on international paedophile rings and they also locate and utilise witnesses who notice anything unusual. All this is an attempt to shore up the possibility of an abduction with a more concrete base. Likewise the spin and publicity is constantly in pursuit of scaffolding on which to build a “reasonable doubt” type scenario in opposition to the police view.

None of this has helped find Madeleine but then imo none of this was supposed to. It appears to be a post defence tactic by the Mcs in readiness for any charges that may be brought.

What I don’t understand is why more people do not see these actions for what they are.

Unknown said...

Hiya 2345

I agree that the reality of the situation is this is a case of parents kiling their child on holiday during a spell of domestic violence which is known to often get worse on family holidays when the wife feels even more put on when she should be getting a break - as Kate's diary reveals. It is not exactly clear which one of them killed Madeleine but what does seem to be tolerably clear is that Gerry then thought he would organise a massive cover up and also make a huge stash of cash in the process. This has compounded the original offence and made it far worse.

The McCanns attempts to cover this up and suggest it was an abduction were quite simply pathetic. Even the two GNR officers, ordindary beat bobbies, first on the scene, did not find the McCanns excuses credible, given there was simply no evidence of any break in. They also found the presentation and demeanour of McCanns and their friends very odd and out of character in the circumstances and quite rightly immediately called in the PJ. I think what would normally have happened, but for the McCanns insistence Maddie had been adbucted, would have been to conduct a search for her on the basis she just wandered off. The McCanns insisting this did not happen set alarm bells ringing immediately. Leicester police would have been immediately contacted by PJ detectives for relevant knowledge on the McCanns - e.g. did Kate ever file any domestic violence reports, did the SSD have any information on file suggesting child abuse. There was immediate concern and senior officers from Leicester were dispatched. The McCanns have been in the frame from day 1.

Gordon Brown decided to accept telephone calls from Gerry McCann. I think he would have known full well he was a suspect. Political involvement since that time, I believe, as Leigh 3 has stated, is as a damage limitation exercise for Gordon Brown. I do not accept there is any genuine attempt by the government to cover this matter up or prevent the McCanns from being brought to justice. The imminent arrival of the PJ and the visit of Detective Superintendent Prior for three days to Portugal supports this view. Serious criminals, not matter if they are doctors, are not above the law, certainly when it comes to child homicide and seeking to cover that up - clearly one of the most serious offenes anyone could commit.

They are going to face what is coming to them and their attack on the media currently is again an attempt to fight back against the groundswell of public criticism of them. Suggesting they are praying for the parents of Mari Luz was just nothing short of sickening. 21.23

Viv x

Unknown said...

Hi Wizard

As ever you have such clear insight. There has not been just one firm involved in seeking to suggest a credible alternative to the police case but THREE. This has no doubt been at massive costs to the Find Madeleine Fund. The McCanns intention as you say, was to defend themselves, by desperately trying to produce credible evidence that an abduction was possible. They have failed in that and their failure to even admit the extent of involvement and costs of the other two organisations Control Risks Group and Hogan International to the Fund, which was clearly a defence fighting fund/support for Kate and Gerry fund generally, really does speak volumes. No doubt it was one of these two organisations, operating in the UK that produced the list of 25 defence witnesses McCanns were demanding the PJ investigate - witnesses about creepy men who may have abducted Madeleine etc - it is quite pathetic!

Thanks
Viv x 21.29

hope4truth said...

Evening Viv and all

I am supposed to be having a romantic evening as my Girls are at my Mum and Dads...

Just been to see Bank Job and have come home and Hubby is just so romantic we are watching Pirates of the Caribean 3 (all 2 hours and 45 minutes of it!!!!!!!!!)LOL...

I give up after nearly 16 years of mariage is romance dead??? He did share his wine gums with me at the pictures though so I guess all is not lost.

Intresting article Viv I often wonder if M3 found something out they should not would they sell it to someone fot a share of the reward??? I guess you cant trust anyone can you....

2345 said...

Felicity,

Thanks ... your informative posts are always appreciated. Do you suppose Det. Superintendent Prior will be escorted by a Government minister or 'diplomat' to monitor his forthcoming 3 day visit ?

wizard - I share your views entirely.

Unknown said...

Hiya Hope 3 - I am sure romance is not dead - as you say he even shared his wine gums with you and this bodes very well for the rest of your evening and his loving intentions towards you:-)

If I was Kate and Gerry McCann, I would be quite simply paranoid about employing an outfit like the Retardos - they will do anything..anything at all to make money..including dealing cocaine. So, if they think they can make a buck out of selling the McCanns secrets then (!)

Hiya 2345 - Detective Superintendent Prior returned from Portugal on Wednesday - maybe you missed that. His visit was to liaise with the PJs and see how they are going to take forward extensive questioning of several witnesses in the UK (not just the TAPAS) and seizure of exhibits for th prosecution of the McCanns - laptop, cuddlecat, Kate's diary.

They will need to produce these as they are for e.g. showing a recording of the dog marking cuddlecat for death scent, as they are producing the emails etc from the computer, and as they are producing pscyhiatric/pscyhological evidence on Kate (diary).

Viv x

hope4truth said...

Viv mmmm Maybe there is a sectet code in sharing wine gums time will tell (about 2 hours 30 minutes now)...

I wonder if the diary and other items still excist (or has CC been bought again and replaced) I guess not providing the items the PJ need would be bad but if they have gone what can anyone do...

Oh Blimey Google has googled I have a server error so this may not show will copy it fot later (as it is so intresting LOL) xxx

Unknown said...

Hiya Hope 4

If the McCanns have destroyed vital evidence needed in the investigation - they will again be in trouble - for doing acts intended to pervert the course of justice - the law usually has an answer for such devious behaviour!

Hope you have a fun night - when it will all crack off we are trying to determine:-)

Viv x

dylan said...

Hey hope,

Wine gums are not to be sniffed at!
Would you hand over the green one? My point exactly!

My cat, for some reason, only loves me when i am on the computer. Whilst I appreciate she wants some warmth, I really do object to claw marks in my thigh!

LOL! How are your girls?

Dyl x

hope4truth said...

Hey Dyl

They are lovely tonight as they are at my Mum and Dads (I have only called twice and the second time just got a shout of love you mum across the room) so they are fine...

I am now watching Pirates otc 3 and husband has fallen asleep (you can bet if I switch it off he will say "I was watching that" LOL

Not sure on colour of Wine Gums as it was dark but I think there was a green one so it must be love...

How is your family???

Bless your cat she/he? is trying to show you how much they care (and leave a lasting impresion on your thigh)...


xxx

Unknown said...

Hiya Dillie and Hope

Nice to see a lighthearted subject for a change:-)

My parrot loves to ride on my shoulder and gets quite noughty when I am engrossed on line, so usually starts to nibble at my ear or climb down my arm and dance on the keyboard. Bright little chap, just like a child, ignore me and I will make you sit up and take notice!

luv viv x

hope4truth said...

Hello All

Alsabella is being invaded by the dark side they must be bored tonight then they all did like to stir and argue so they must be getting desprate for a row odd people x

Anonymous said...

Thanks Viv for the articles!
I think we all are so saddened by the news of little Mari Luz. May her little soul rest in peace. Hopefully we will find the truth re Maddie one day soon

Unknown said...

Hiya Hope

Just had a look and she has got Assasin and Jane Gin and Tonic over from the dark side - what a couple of nutters - still at least while Assasin/Supertroll is over there it gives me a break from it! Sorry Alsabella!

Viv x

dylan said...

Hiya Viv,

I am still waiting for the picture you promised us of your parrot!

Apparently, birds are very intelligent. I know my cat knows the prefect moment to really annoy me! When I want her to be lovely & snuggly with our dog, she walks off with her nose in the air! As if to say, you must be joking if you think I'd associate with some rat-nosed dog! Time to ban the dog from my bed I think!

x

Anonymous said...

Penelope1 says:

Viv, 2345 and others - what intelligent, informative and interesting posts this evening. In particular your 21.23 one Viv. I'm relieved to see that a lawyer and the law have ways of dealing with the awful machinations and manipulations orchestrated by the McCanns. Thankfully policemen are level-headed and not swayed by spin.

Our local retired PC Plod initially refused to comment on the case, but after a while said that as a policeman, the fact that the children were left all alone that evening would have immediately made him suspicious of the parents. He also correctly predicted (as I wrote on the DX forum) that the McCanns would brazen it out - as they have for 10 months now.

Shannon's Dad was on SkyNews tonight. His spending all his time searching scrubland for his daughter, stopping people on the streets, handing out her pictures, asking her to phone home. What a difference from the McCanns'trips to the hairdresser, tennis tournaments and laughing and drinking on the balcony. Shannon's Mum wasn't on TV - she is probably too upset.

Yes the media are quiet, and I agree, probably gagged. But won't they have a field day when it all comes out in the wash.....If I was Kate and Gerry I would be majorly scared. Even if they are cleared after a possible trial, surely they would almost need new identities, in order to live normally.

Oh what a troubled web we weave when first we practice to deceive...

Unknown said...

Hiya Southerncross

I think the article has emphasised the extent the McCanns have gone to, and the huge expense with other folks money (!) in attempting to produce data on paedophiles operating in the area/abduction scenarios/links to other cases etc. It is almost like they are miserable because there is no details of any organised paedophiles operating in the area - truly repugnant!

WE all share your sympathy and sadness in relation to little Mari Luz and her family. As in Madeleine's case we hope the police will secure justice for this beautiful little one.

Viv x

Unknown said...

Hiya Dillie

My son is currently putting a super pic of my red lored amazon on my computer for me and he will get his own thread where we can talk about our gorgeous pets.

I visited a couple last night who have two parrots and two dogs. I actually thought the alsation was going to eat me alive but boldly continued into their home with the usual entreaty, dont worry she wont hurt you. Blood pressure has just gone back down a bit now:-)

One of the parrots eyed me suspiciously but would not talk. The other one went as far away as possible and turned its back. My bird sometimes offers people this treatment!

Luv Viv x

Anonymous said...

Viv
Many people have suffered un describable grief relating to the loss of a child. Never ever before have the world gone in complete overdrive/overdonating because of one little poor soul,being abandoned/neglected by her parents .
I wonder why.
I still wonder why people are being threatened by the scammimg machinery because they have the guts to question aspects of this case.

hope4truth said...

Night ALL

Only about 40 minutes of the film left and if I am lucky he may get the wine gums out again...

See you all tomorrow xxx

Unknown said...

Hiya Southernwood

When I used to post on the Daily Express I asked the chief McCann supporter "Rosiepops" why they thought it necessary to trademark the image of little Madeleine just days after she disappeared. I will never forget the response.

It said this was necessary to prevent others cashing in like they did with Princess Dianan producing Diana dolls. They did not want others producing Madeleine dolls and preventing the fund from getting the money it was entitled to.

It was at that stage I started to realise the thinking behind their strategy - with sufficient publicity of this beautiful little girl they could make masses of money as in the Diana Fund and their concern was that only they should make money out of Madeleine. It is unparalelled I believe that parents like the McCanns would actually use their intellect to operate a massive scam on the public. Rosiepops also commented that the McCanns might as well ask for £2M from the Americans for the film rights rather than £1M "after all they can afford it". This epitomises the sick mentality of little Madeleine's image just being used to generate huge sums of cash for her parents. Parents who genuinely lose a child through natural causes or abduction are overwhelmed with private grief and would not dream of seeking fame and fortune from their dead child. Fortunately such incredibly manipulative and cruel parents are few and far between.

Viv x

Unknown said...

Night Hope - I am crossing everything for you.


I put my parrot up on a separate thread. If anyone wants their pet to join him in the hall of fame - email a pic - tell me you emailed so I will look for it and I will insert onto that post so we can build up some lovely animals who receive the very best of love and care - just like they deserve!

Luv Viv x

2345 said...

Felicity,

Isn't it strange that the McCanns have always critized the police
and sought to publicly demean their findings whilst at the same time they continue to, reportedly, pay Metado 3 2,000 euros a day for gross ineptitude.

McCanns slated the police for not checking out the Moroccan sighting - pointless as they knew Maddie was dead, but no criticism was meted to M 3 for failing to rescue her, as promised, from the 'secret' hideway. 9.30 a.m.


Moroccan 'sighting'

2345 said...

Felicity,

Love your adorable parrot. 9.30 a.m.

Anonymous said...

Hi all, Well, I wonder if the PJ really will arrive tomorrow as was suggested on the 3As. Someone who has an insider at the airport said that memos had circulated restricting media coverage tomorrow but not saying why. Usually, celebrities are named but not this time which raised suspicions.
Perhaps someone living nearby can check it out?
eureka 1210

Unknown said...

Hiya 2345

Metodo 3 have been rewarded for their incredible ineptitude by the renewal of their contract. So far as their perverse claims are concerned Clarence states
"well that is all water under the bridge now". Speaking of which how odd the McCanns continue to fritter money on the Retardos and Hogan International but will not contribute to the search in the Arad damn for Madeleine. Kind of suggests this may be where she is - as Gerry said "find the body and prove we killed her". In the vast and extremely deep damn it is acknowledged this will be incredibly difficult and very expensive - but then again when did the McCanns give a damn about how much taxpayers money they waste in Portugal and the UK by failing to co-operate from day 1 in this investigation as Sheree Dodd and British diplomats reported.

Thanks - everyone loves my adorable parrot - except it would seem the McCann trolls!

Viv x

Unknown said...

HIya Eureka

I checked Birmingham airport webpage and funnily enough a plane touched down from Faro a couple of minutes ago! Now wouldn't it be great...(!)


Viv x

Unknown said...

time now 21.46 9/3/08

It would make sense for them to arrive tonight when it is relatively quiet and get a good night's sleep.

Viv x