Sky News: Madeleine Team Hope To See Files

8:11am UK, Friday July 25, 2008

Lawyers acting for the parents of Madeleine McCann expect to be granted access to police files later today.



On Monday, police in Portugal decided to close the case into the disappearance of four-year-old Madeleine, who went missing in Praia da Luz in May 2007.
Kate and Gerry McCann were formally cleared of involvement in Madeleine's disappearance when prosecutors lifted their status as "arguidos", or formal suspects.
Madeleine vanished from her family's holiday apartment in the Algarve resort as her parents dined with friends nearby.
Despite a huge police investigation and massive coverage in the Portuguese and British media she has not been found.
The McCanns' spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said the couple's lawyers in Portugal had applied formally for access to the complete police file and they would "be analysing everything in it in their own time without making elements public at this stage".
The McCanns, from Rothley, Leicestershire, are hoping that the files will provide fresh leads in their own private investigation.
The dossier is thought to stretch to 13 volumes.
Mr Mitchell said: "It's going to be a long, slow process, both for the lawyers in examining the volumes and for Kate and Gerry to be informed of their contents and whether there's any need for legal redress.
"The priority has always been finding Madeleine so the investigative work is first and foremost.
"If there are any leads from the files, for instance new sightings, that's what the private investigators will focus on in the first instance."


-----------------------
11 PAGES
Comments to the story:
Your report is wrong. They were not formally cleared. \n\nDid anyone watch 'Send In The Dogs' on Tuesday? Very interesting.\n\n Posted By :spaceman

Let us no forget that now even bloggers and cibernauts are threatned to be sued because they have DISCUSSED the book by Mr Amaral. People, like mysekf, who have read the book and summarised it in English on their blogs, are being threatned by people who defend the McCanns. Is it a crime in the UK to read a book and summarise it for people in a foreign language? Posted By :Claudia

I have seen nothing but self and profit serving motive coming from this couple.\nThose who defend their pain and say they have suffered enough, when days after their precious baby girls disappearance they are jogging and traveling. Leaving their precious twins with friends.\nI can imagine nothing more shocking than losing a child. I think had that happened to me I would have glued myself to my other children in a total way. Kate and Gerry I don't want to hear about your pain anymore. As it becomes clearer what happened to your child and your reluctance to help this police force find her, i feel nothing but contempt and loathing for you. In the begining you had my prayers, but they have recoiled and now my prayers are for truth and justice. Posted By :susana

Why can't we have proper journalism in this country?\nThe Mccanns have not been "cleared" - the Portugese prosecutors have simply decided there is insufficient proof for a Portugese court at this time. The DNA evidence is sufficient to be presented in evidence in the UK, but doesn't satisfy the more stringent requirements of Portugese law. \nHow would anyone who relied on the UK media for their infomation know this simple fact?
Posted By :Archie

I really think the police in England and Portugal need to investigate the serious accusations that have surfaced about the McCann's friend David Payne and Gerry McCann himself. I think the answer to solving this case lies with the McCann and friends' circle who were there in Portugal on the night that Madeleine "disappeared", I cannot say "abducted" as there is absolutely NO evidence of an abduction but plenty of evidence of death in that apartment, the Mcs know exactly where Madeleine's body is, In My Opinion
Posted By :GC

There is NO need for the McCanns to have a PI team. They had the police forces of Portugal and UK. They had specialists all supplied by the tax payer. Best thing McCanns can do is pass THEIR PI files over to PJ (in their entirity) and see what has ACTUALLY been done by them!\nFSS results U turn? /Eddie & Keela doubted!/ rotten meat/spilt fish/dirty nappies in the car tyre well?? PLEASE !!!\nFailure to do a reconstruction...a swarm of top celebs and financial backers..a missing sports bag?...oh yes WHAT else is missing: THE TRUTH about their daughter Madeleine's disappearance.\nA total cover up I suspect: what on earth were they doing leaving 2 year olds and a 3 year old alone and allegedly on many occassions?\nWe all parent differently?...THANK GOD yes I do very differently!
Posted By :Amber

I was saddened to read that the McCanns left poor Madeleine crying for over an hour 2 nights before she disappeared. Yet they still went out every night to enjoy themselves.\n\nI am quite amazed that this has been dropped even though:\n\nA couple gave a disturbing police statement about David Payne regarding a previous group holiday \n\nBritish sniffer dogs (who have never given a false positive) found blood and death odours behind a settee and on Kates clothes\n\nThe dubious activites of their investigators -They specialise in debt collecting and do not usually look for missing children...I'd like to know where the fund money goes every month??\n\nNot to mention the fact they hired a top extradition lawyer as soon as they got back to England. Why do that if you are innocent???\n\n
Posted By: Paula

I too would like to see the press publish the details of the accusations against Payne. They shouldnt be afraid to print this as it was an 8 page statement given to Leicestershire Police. But im sure good old Clarence will instead call them outrageous and hurtful lies\n\nGood on Amaral for publishing his book. He's not cashing in on the poor child at al l -it's the only way the world will find out what really went on in the investigation.
Posted By: jus me