JUSTICE FOR MADDIE AND THE TWINS
"We can't even make a consistent prognosis of her fate, including... whether she is alive or dead." UPDATE JANUARY 2010 THE MCCANNS COULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH CHILD KIDNAPPING AND TRAFFICKING (Pt Prosecutor giving evidence in an ongoing case in Portugal where the McCanns are demanding ONE MILLION POUNDS IN DAMAGES FROM THE OFFICER WHO INVESTIGATED THEM!!!
2 Aug 2014
JUSTICE FOR MADDIE AND THE TWINS
Madeleine clues hidden for 5 years, 27 October 2013
Madeleine clues hidden for 5 years The Sunday Times (paper edition)
The Sunday Times, 27 October 2013
THE critical new evidence at the centre of Scotland Yard's search for Madeleine McCann was kept secret for five years after it was presented to her parents by ex-MI5 investigators.
The evidence was in fact taken from an intelligence report produced for Gerry and Kate McCann by a firm of former spies in 2008.
It contained crucial E-Fits of a man seen carrying a child on the night of Madeleine's disappearance, which have only this month become public after he was identified as the prime suspect by Scotland Yard.
But the trail was left to go cold for five years because the McCanns and their advisers sidelined the report and threatened to sue its authors if they divulged the contents.
The report, seen by the Sunday Times, called for the E-Fits to be released immediately and said "anomalies" in statements by the McCanns and their friends must be resolved.
A source close to the McCanns said the report was considered "hypercritical of the people involved" and "would have been completely distracting" if made public.
Madeleine clues hidden for 5 years The Sunday Times
The new prime suspect was first singled out by detectives in 2008. Their findings were suppressed. Insight reports
The Sunday Times Insight team Published: 27 October 2013
Madeleine disappeared from the Praia da Luz resort in May 2007 (Adrian Sheratt)
Madeleine disappeared from the Praia da Luz resort in May 2007 (Adrian Sheratt)
THE critical new evidence at the centre of Scotland Yard's search for Madeleine McCann was kept secret for five years after it was presented to her parents by ex-MI5 investigators.
The evidence was in fact taken from an intelligence report produced for Gerry and Kate McCann by a firm of former spies in 2008.
It contained crucial E-Fits of a man seen carrying a child on the night of Madeleine's disappearance, which have only this month become public after he was identified as the prime suspect by Scotland Yard.
A team of hand-picked former MI5 agents had been hired by the McCanns to chase a much-needed breakthrough in the search for their missing daughter Madeleine.
But within months the relationship had soured. A report produced by the investigators was deemed "hypercritical" of the McCanns and their friends, and the authors were threatened with legal action if it was made public. Its contents remained secret until Scotland Yard detectives conducting a fresh review of the case contacted the authors and asked for a copy.
They found that it contained new evidence about a key suspect seen carrying a child away from the McCanns' holiday apartment on the night Madeleine disappeared.
This sighting is now considered the main lead in the investigation and E-Fits of the suspect, taken from the report, were the centrepiece of a Crimewatch appeal that attracted more than 2,400 calls from the public this month.
One of the investigators whose work was sidelined said last week he was "utterly stunned" when he watched the programme and saw the evidence his team had passed to the McCanns five years ago presented as a breakthrough.
The team of investigators from the security firm Oakley International were hired by the McCanns' Find Madeleine fund, which bankrolled private investigations into the girl's disappearance. They were led by Henri Exton, MI5's former undercover operations chief.
Their report, seen by The Sunday Times, focused on a sighting by an Irish family of a man carrying a child at about 10pm on May 3, 2007, when Madeleine went missing.
An earlier sighting by one of the McCanns' friends was dismissed as less credible after "serious inconsistencies" were found in her evidence. The report also raised questions about "anomalies" in the statements given by the McCanns and their friends.
Exton confirmed last week that the fund had silenced his investigators for years after they handed over their controversial findings. He said: "A letter came from their lawyers binding us to the confidentiality of the report."
He claimed the legal threat had prevented him from handing over the report to Scotland Yard's fresh investigation, until detectives had obtained written permission from the fund.
A source close to the fund said the report was considered "hypercritical of the people involved" and "would have been completely distracting" if it became public.
Oakley's six-month investigation included placing undercover agents inside the Ocean Club where the family stayed, lie detector tests, covert surveillance and a forensic re-examination of all existing evidence.
It was immediately clear that two sightings of vital importance had been reported to the police. Two men were seen carrying children near the apartments between 9pm, when Madeleine was last seen by Gerry, and 10pm, when Kate discovered her missing.
The first man was seen at 9.15pm by Jane Tanner, a friend of the McCanns, who had been dining with them at the tapas bar in the resort. She saw a man carrying a girl just yards from the apartment as she went to check on her children.
The second sighting was by Martin Smith and his family from Ireland, who saw a man carrying a child near the apartment just before 10pm.
The earlier Tanner sighting had always been treated as the most significant, but the Oakley team controversially poured cold water on her account.
Instead, they focused on the Smith sighting, travelling to Ireland to interview the family and produce E-Fits of the man they saw. Their report said the Smiths were "helpful and sincere" and concluded: "The Smith sighting is credible evidence of a sighting of Maddie and more credible than Jane Tanner's sighting". The evidence had been "neglected for too long" and an "overemphasis placed on Tanner".
The new focus shifted the believed timeline of the abduction back by 45 minutes.
The report, delivered to the McCanns in November 2008, recommended that the revised timeline should be the basis for future investigations and that the Smith E-Fits should be released without delay.
The potential abductor seen by the Smiths is now the prime suspect in Scotland Yard's investigation, after detectives established that the man seen earlier by Tanner was almost certainly a father carrying his child home from a nearby night creche. The Smith E-Fits were the centrepiece of the Crimewatch appeal.
One of the Oakley investigators said last week: "I was absolutely stunned when I watched the programme . . . It most certainly wasn't a new timeline and it certainly isn't a new revelation. It is absolute nonsense to suggest either of those things . . . And those E-Fits you saw on Crimewatch are ours," he said.
The detailed images of the face of the man seen by the Smith family were never released by the McCanns. But an artist's impression of the man seen earlier by Tanner was widely promoted, even though the face had to be left blank because she had only seen him fleetingly and from a distance.
Various others images of lone men spotted hanging around the resort at other times were also released.
Nor were the Smith E-Fits included in Kate McCann's 2011 book, Madeleine, which contained a whole section on eight "key sightings" and identified those of the Smiths and Tanner as most "crucial". Descriptions of all seven other sightings were accompanied by an E-Fit or artist's impression. The Smiths' were the only exception. So why was such a "crucial" piece of evidence kept under lock and key?
The relationship between the fund and Oakley was already souring by the time the report was submitted — and its findings could only have made matters worse.
As well as questioning parts of the McCanns' evidence, it contained sensitive information about Madeleine's sleeping patterns and raised the highly sensitive possibility that she could have died in an accident after leaving the apartment herself from one of two unsecured doors.
There was also an uncomfortable complication with Smith's account. He had originally told the police that he had "recognised something" about the way Gerry McCann carried one of his children which reminded him of the man he had seen in Praia da Luz.
Smith has since stressed that he does not believe the man he saw was Gerry, and Scotland Yard do not consider this a possibility. Last week the McCanns were told officially by the Portuguese authorities that they are not suspects.
The McCanns were also understandably wary of Oakley after allegations that the chairman, Kevin Halligen, failed to pass on money paid by the fund to Exton's team. Halligen denies this. He was later convicted of fraud in an unrelated case in the US.
The McCann fund source said the Oakley report was passed on to new private investigators after the contract ended, but that the firm's work was considered "contaminated" by the financial dispute.
He said the fund wanted to continue to pursue information about the man seen by Tanner, and it would have been too expensive to investigate both sightings in full — so the Smith E-Fits were not publicised. It was also considered necessary to threaten legal action against the authors.
"[The report] was hypercritical of the people involved . . . It just wouldn't be conducive to the investigation to have that report publicly declared because . . . the newspapers would have been all over it. And it would have been completely distracting," said the source.
A statement released by the Find Madeleine fund said that "all information privately gathered during the search for Madeleine has been fully acted upon where necessary" and had been passed to Scotland Yard.
It continued: "Throughout the investigation, the Find Madeleine fund's sole priority has been, and remains, to find Madeleine and bring her home as swiftly as possible."
Insight: Heidi Blake and Jonathan Calvert
Maddie: Vital clues hidden for 5 years, 28 October 2013
Maddie: Vital clues hidden for 5 years Daily Star (paper edition)
Daily Star, 28 October 2013
by JERRY LAWTON
CRUCIAL evidence that could hold the key to finding Madeleine McCann was kept secret for five years, it was revealed last night.
The bombshell file includes two e-fits of a man seen carrying a sleeping blonde-haired girl to the beach in Praia da Luz, Portugal, the resort in which Maddie vanished.
Full story: Page 7
Maddie Crimewatch pictures kept secret for five years Daily Star
VITAL evidence about the prime suspect in Madeleine McCann's abduction was kept secret for five years, it was reported yesterday.
By Jerry Lawton / Published 28th October 2013
Crucial evidence that could hold the key to finding Madeleine McCann was kept secret for five years [KATE MCCANN/PA WIRE]
The file was suppressed after being handed to her parents by ex-MI5 investigators, it is claimed.
It included two e-fits of a man seen carrying a sleeping blonde girl to the beach in Praia da Luz, Portugal, at the same time the then-three-year-old's mum Kate, 45, found her missing.
That man is now the focus of a worldwide police hunt.
Scotland Yard detectives released the e-fits a fortnight ago in a Crimewatch special about Madeleine's May 2007 disappearance.
The show prompted 2,400 calls from the public after being broadcast across Europe.
But yesterday it was reported the pictures were available five years ago.
Madeleine has been missing since 2007
Kate, husband Gerry, 45, and their advisers sidelined the private detectives' file and instructed them not to divulge its contents.
The report, delivered to the McCanns in November 2008, said the sighting by Irishman Martin Smith was "credible evidence", had been "neglected for too long" and called on the e-fits to be immediately released.
Oakley International investigators were hired by the Find Madeleine fund set up to bankroll the McCanns' search.
A source close to the McCanns said the report "would have been completely distracting" if made public.
They instead wanted to focus on a man seen by one of their friends and it would have been too expensive to conduct full investigations into both sightings, the source added.
Scotland Yard has since discovered that suspect was a dad carrying his own child.
The first e-fit released on Crimewatch
Former MI5 undercover operations chief Henri Exton, 62, who led the Oakley probe, said the fund took legal action to stop his team divulging its findings.
He said: "A letter came from their lawyers binding us to confidentiality."
It stopped him handing the report to Scotland Yard's Operation Grange team until detectives had written permission from the fund, he added.
One Oakley investigator said he was "absolutely stunned" when he saw their theories and e-fits being unveiled on Crimewatch as a "new revelation".
The second e-fit released by Crimewatch
A Metropolitan Police official said yesterday any withholding of the report was "not an issue" because they were not investigating the case at the time.
Portugal's national police force last week reopened its own investigation.
A source close to the McCann fund said they had been wary of Oakley after allegations of financial irregularities.
A spokesman for Find Madeleine said "all information privately gathered" had been "fully acted upon where necessary" and passed on to Scotland Yard.
The McCanns' spokesman Clarence Mitchell was unavailable for comment.
Daily Star, paper edition, page 7: 'MADDIE: WE HAD E-FIT OF NEW SUSPECT 5 YRS AGO BUT IT WAS SUPPRESSED', 28 October 2013
Daily Star, paper edition, page 7: 'MADDIE: WE HAD E-FIT OF NEW SUSPECT 5 YRS AGO BUT IT WAS SUPPRESSED', 28 October 2013
Why were Maddie suspect E-fits kept SECRET for five years? Images and evidence of sighting uncovered by private detectives were suppressed, 28 October 2013
Why were Maddie suspect E-fits kept SECRET for five years? Images and evidence of sighting uncovered by private detectives were suppressed Daily Mail
•Images of man seen carrying child through Praia da Luz on the night of Madeleine's disappearance were unveiled on Crimewatch two weeks ago
•Based on evidence from Irish holidaymaker Martin Smith and his family
•Emerged yesterday that E-fits were contained in files from five years ago
•Produced by private investigators hired by the McCanns
By NEIL SEARS
PUBLISHED: 01:15, 28 October 2013 | UPDATED: 08:48, 28 October 2013
Under wraps: This is one of the E-fits drawn up by the investigators
The E-fits of a 'new' suspect for Madeleine McCann's disappearance were drawn up five years ago – and suppressed.
Images of a man seen carrying a child through Praia da Luz at 10pm on the night the then three-year-old vanished were unveiled on BBC1's Crimewatch two weeks ago.
They are based on evidence from Irish holidaymaker Martin Smith and his family. At the same time, the British police team behind a new investigation revealed they had discounted a 9.15pm sighting of a man with a child by Jane Tanner, a friend holidaying with parents Gerry and Kate McCann and their three children.
It meant there was a new 'timeline' of Madeleine's presumed abduction. Yet it emerged yesterday that the recently released E-fits were in fact contained in files produced five years ago by private investigators hired by the McCanns. Similarly, those private detectives had questioned the Tanner sighting and the timings associated with it.
But the E-fits were kept private, and the questioning of the Tanner sighting and related timeline were kept quiet. One detective said he was 'utterly stunned' to see his five-year-old dossier suddenly presented as new on TV.
The investigator told a Sunday newspaper: 'I was absolutely stunned when I watched the programme... it most certainly wasn't a new timeline and it certainly isn't a new revelation. It is absolute nonsense to suggest either of those things... and those E-fits you saw on Crimewatch are ours.'
The McCanns are now fully behind the fresh police drive and release of the E-fits – but five years ago they were reluctant to issue them, possibly in part because witness Mr Smith's account seemed inconsistent and unreliable.
Months after the disappearance and after seeing Gerry McCann on TV, Mr Smith told police that he thought the man he saw carrying a girl around Madeleine's age at the very time she went missing reminded him of Gerry McCann himself.
Mr Smith has reportedly since withdrawn that claim – just as Portuguese police have officially told the McCanns they are no longer suspects for their daughter's disappearance.
The couple have also won libel damages for false suggestions that they were in any way involved.
Numerous witnesses have also given statements making clear that Mr McCann was at his holiday complex at the moment the sighting occurred – which was at the very time when he and his wife started calling for help looking for Maddie.
Madeleine McCann went missing in Praia da Luz in May 2007
Madeleine McCann went missing in Praia da Luz in May 2007
But shortly after Mr Smith told police Mr McCann may have been the man he had seen carrying a little girl, a friend of the McCanns said: 'Look at the facts. This man sees an individual carrying a child on the night Maddie vanished.
'He waits 13 days to report this to the police, going back to Ireland in the meantime. At this stage he admits he has no idea who the man is. Almost four months go by before, after seeing him on TV, he feels that it could be Gerry.
'The truth is that this is part of the victimisation of Gerry and Kate which has gone on from the very beginning by the Portuguese.'
Portuguese police have officially told Kate and Gerry McCann they are no longer suspects for the disappearance
Portuguese police have officially told Kate and Gerry McCann they are no longer suspects for the disappearance
In 2008, the McCanns used money from their charity fund to hire investigators from a firm called Oakley International, led by former MI5 surveillance officer Henri Exton, to look into the mystery – and they focused on the Smith sighting.
They produced a dossier and called for the E-fits to be published. They also suggested Madeleine could have died after wandering off.
The McCanns, who became embroiled in an unconnected financial dispute with Oakley International at around the time they received the dossier, responded by warning the detectives of legal action if they publicised their report.
A source close to the fund said the report would have been 'completely distracting' if it had become public.
4 Mar 2013
McCann detective agency Metodo 3 out of business detectives arrested
With thanks to Jo Morais for this interesting article. Just what are the odds that the two major detective agencies McCann employed to, allegedly, find Maddie would turn out to be crooks arrested by police for serious offences?
We heard that London Met arrived at their offices some time back and seized many large boxes full of evidence, evidence that I feel will come back to haunt the employers of this Spanish gang of money grasping thugs, Kate and Gerry McCann. Meanwhile, those sickening sightings of the most travelled little girl ever continue to be churned out, they certainly churn something for me.
What did a little 3 year old do to be so encompassed in millions of pounds of corruption, I suppose we have to ask her parents about that, RIP poor little Maddie xxx
McCanns former detectives, Método 3, arrested for illegal spying
20 February 2013 | Posted by
Joana MoraisLeave a Comment
“It is a ridiculous suggestion to claim Método 3 are paying witnesses to change their story”
- Clarence Mitchell, the McCanns spin doctor, 13 December 2007
“The Spanish detective agency Método 3 is reportedly costing the fund 2,000 a day”
- in The Independent, 30 November 2007
“We know who kidnapped her. We believe she is in an area not very far from the Iberian peninsula and north Africa. And we have a fairly certain idea of who she is with.”
- Francisco Marco, head of Spanish detective agency Método 3, 14 December 2007
“As for the Spanish detective, the theory he comes up with is that of a crook, a crook without conditions to be taken seriously. Because he denies the first rule of criminal investigation, which is not to believe in absolute truths and he considers as an absolute truth that the little girl was abducted, he knows who the abductor was, and where she is. Well, this is false. And this is so false one realizes it's a way of making money and not of bringing us the truth.” - Francisco Moita Flores, 18 November 2007 “The Spanish detective agency hired by the McCanns to find their missing four-year-old daughter Madeleine understandably wants to prove that it is earning its hefty fees but the trickle of evidence allegedly involving Robert Murat begins to whiff of a stitch-up. To justify its monthly 70,000 euros, Método 3 needs to get results – any results at all - and appears to have selected Robert Murat as its best bet. The disappearance of Madeleine McCann was a nasty business from the beginning and now it’s getting nastier.” - in EuroWeekly News, 13 December 2007
- Clarence Mitchell, the McCanns spin doctor, 13 December 2007
“The Spanish detective agency Método 3 is reportedly costing the fund 2,000 a day”
- in The Independent, 30 November 2007
“We know who kidnapped her. We believe she is in an area not very far from the Iberian peninsula and north Africa. And we have a fairly certain idea of who she is with.”
- Francisco Marco, head of Spanish detective agency Método 3, 14 December 2007
“As for the Spanish detective, the theory he comes up with is that of a crook, a crook without conditions to be taken seriously. Because he denies the first rule of criminal investigation, which is not to believe in absolute truths and he considers as an absolute truth that the little girl was abducted, he knows who the abductor was, and where she is. Well, this is false. And this is so false one realizes it's a way of making money and not of bringing us the truth.” - Francisco Moita Flores, 18 November 2007 “The Spanish detective agency hired by the McCanns to find their missing four-year-old daughter Madeleine understandably wants to prove that it is earning its hefty fees but the trickle of evidence allegedly involving Robert Murat begins to whiff of a stitch-up. To justify its monthly 70,000 euros, Método 3 needs to get results – any results at all - and appears to have selected Robert Murat as its best bet. The disappearance of Madeleine McCann was a nasty business from the beginning and now it’s getting nastier.” - in EuroWeekly News, 13 December 2007
«Police officers on Tuesday searched the Barcelona and Madrid offices of Método 3, the now-defunct private detective firm at the centre of a political spying scandal in Catalonia. Investigators, including two anti-corruption prosecutors, were seen bringing out boxes of confiscated documents from the buildings.
The agency's owner, Francisco Marco, and three other detectives at the agency were arrested on Monday. The entire case has rocked Spain's political foundations after recordings surfaced of a 2010 lunch conversation between the head of the Popular Party in Catalonia, Alicia Sánchez-Camacho, and the former girlfriend of one of the sons of the region's ex-premier.
The ex-girlfriend, Victoria Álvarez, informed Sánchez-Camacho about Jordi Pujol Ferrusola's alleged money laundering activities in Andorra. Pujol Ferrusola is a son of former regional premier Jordi Pujol Soley, who served from 1980 to 2003.
Two of the suspects, Julián Peribañez and Alex Borrequero, who are still in custody, told investigators that they recorded the conversation "on the boss's orders" at the La Camarga restaurant in Barcelona. The ruling Catalan nationalist CiU bloc has organized a special squad of investigators and court personnel to help those politicians or other citizens who feel that they may have been spied on.» Extract from El País, 19 Feb. 2013
70.000 Euros for Madeleine's search
Método 3 grew with high-profiled media cases; their enemies label it as «scam agency» and now it's going to be a consultancy agency
by C. Morcillo/P. Muñoz
Each time a new chief of police arrived to Catalonia, one of the first invitations he would receive was that of Francisco Marco: a letter to invite him to have dinner at the restaurant “La Camarga”, which has been the hub of operations [spy activities] of the detective agency Método 3, near to its headquarters. The current police chief, Eugenio Castro, politely declined the invitation, however his predecessor and some of the previous ones shared table and cloth with the influential Marco, with a degree in Law and an expert in self-promotion. One of his mottoes is “let them speak about us, whether good or bad”, says one of his former colleagues.
Marco took to practice that popularity and in recent years his agency was a reference in the media, particularly after the parents of the British girl Madeleine McCann who disappeared in Portugal hired them to search her. Their hypothesis was that a paedophile ring had kidnapped her and in pursuit of that idea, according to the same sources, they charged about 70,000 euros [close to that amount per month], with continuous trips to Portugal, Morocco and Britain.
Ghost expenses
“It was a scam. They said they had fifteen people working on the case but no, there were just three. They made up invoices for hotel expenses and allowances for four people in the neighbouring country [Portugal] and only one person travelled there, who in addition didn't speak a word of Portuguese.”
Along with Madeleine's case - of which nothing was ever found - the fame reached Método 3 with the advent of the former secret service spy Francisco Paesa, who was “found” in Paris, after being presumed dead [he had published his own obituary].
Monitoring the vice-presidents of FC Barcelona and the involvement, which has yet to be clarified, of espionage of the current president of the Community of Madrid, Ignacio Gonzalez, are also included in the curriculum of this agency in which “thousands and thousands of euro have come in and no one know where they are”, says a detective who knows Método 3 track record.
Severance pay
The agency was created by Marita Fernández, the mother of Francisco Marco, in 1985. She had worked has a saleswoman for an Argentinian detective when she married her husband, a criminal lawyer. Since then they have lived years of success and constant commissions - although nothing to do with the 20,000 reports that were said to be destroyed by the director of Método 3 - to the point of giving work to other agencies and individuals (they subcontracted) and then signed themselves those jobs. Their wide list of staff included an accountant, and in recent years, a former policeman heading the IT department.
Juan Carlos Ruiloba was the chief of the Technological Crime Prevention unit at the Judiciary Police of Barcelona. Shifting to a second activity, he began working for Marco where he claimed he was very well paid.
A little over a year ago, when the agency started to be less the buoyant businesses that it had been, Ruiloba left Método 3. According to sources related to the investigation, part of the money that he was owed was recovered with electronic equipment. Last week this former police officer turn to his former colleagues at the Judiciary and handed material, supposedly “sensitive”. He had waited over a year to do so.
Out of hand investigations
He was not the only police officer connected to Método 3 director. In fact, during many years it was a common practice to resort to certain professionals, such as the Forensic Science Police [Lab], in order to do specific tests, particularly when they did not have any other means at their disposal.
The agency no longer exists officially since last November, in fact its director has several pending labour disputes with former employees. However Marco, with a curriculum and voluminous list of customers, was already converting their business into a security consulting firm, outside the police control to which detective agencies are subject.
Método 3 has also been inspected - inspection in the offices of detectives are annual - however he has eluded comfortably both administrative and criminal penalties. In 1995 his father, his mother, him and a brother were arrested for illegally tapping businessmen. In that case it was revealed that they had investigated the governor of the Bank of Spain, Mariano Rubio, and his wife Carmen Posadas. The investigation was filed.
In 2011, during a routine inspection, the Police detected serious irregularities, despite the proposed sanction, which arrived to Rubalcaba's Home Office - his brother has an excellent relationship with Marita Fernández - it was also unsuccessful.
In May last year the agency number two, Elisenda Villena, was arrested during the “Pitiusa Operation”* - in which hundreds of detectives and intermediaries were charged. The agency log book - mandatory where clients and those who are investigated are recorded, as well as the dates of the jobs carried out - disappeared, because it was lost in a “flood”, Método 3, again, was not penalized.
in ABC, 20 Feb. 2013
* “Pitiusa Operation” - A Barcelona court found complaints of professional intrusion crimes, bribery, disclosure of secrets and money laundering, with the majority of those arrested being detectives and private investigators, who bribed officials to obtain and sell confidential data to third parties.
Related
Detectives Hired by the «McCanns want to Frame Gonçalo Amaral
Método 3, the Spanish detective agency hired by the McCanns, tried to convince Leonor Cipriano's Lawyer to change the course of defense. The agency operational wanted to make of Gonçalo Amaral - the former coordinator of the PJ of Portimão, responsible for the investigation to the disappearance of Madeleine and Joana, the main target, through the intersection of the two cases.»
‘Spanish detectives asked me to arrange for evidence against Gonçalo Amaral’
« The lawyer who cooperated with Método 3 makes surprising revelations - Maddie’s parents divined their daughter’s death - Satanic societies and secret services involved in the Maddie Case - McCann detectives asked me to get proofs against Gonçalo Amaral'»
More Metodo 3 "witnesses" : Lawyer Claims Madeleine Raped, Murdered and Dumped
«Marcos Teixeira Aragão Correia, a lawyer and a PND member , says that criminals from underworld contacted him on 6th May and that gave him details about Madeleine's rape & murder. He further claims that he had given this information to police who ignored it.»
Maddie Case: Scotland Yard discredits Spanish investigation
«The investigators of Scotland Yard, who are again working in the case of Madeleine's disappearance, came to the conclusion that steps taken in recent years by the Spanish detectives hired by the McCann couple have helped very little or nothing at all towards the discovery of what happened to the girl.»
7 Feb 2013
McCann now say they dont want to punish Tony Bennett with an application for his committal to prison...
MADELEINE MCCANN PARENTS WANT JAIL FOR EX-SOLICITOR'S ‘SLUR’
ABOVE: The parents of Madeleine McCann, Gerry and Kate, are mobbed by reporters
Enough is enough
McCann solicitor Isabel Martorell
6th February 2013
By Daily Star reporter
MADELEINE McCann’s parents yesterday asked a judge to jail a retired solicitor who has repeatedly accused them of covering up her death.
Doctors Kate and Gerry McCann, both 44, claim Tony Bennett, 65, is in contempt of court for breaching promises that he would not repeat the allegations.
After a number of attempts to stop the harassment their solicitor Isabel Martorell told Mr Justice Tugendhat at the High Court in London: “Enough is enough.’’
She said the case, which was due to start last month, had been adjourned while talks on a settlement between the two sides were on-going.
The lawyer said they had taken action against some other people but the couple “try as far as possible to turn the other cheek”.
Mr Bennett told the judge the McCanns were powerless to stop others making the same allegations as him.
Then-three-year-old Madeleine vanished from the couple’s Portuguese holiday apartment in 2007.
The hearing continues today.
Madeleine McCann: Legal action over cover-up allegations
A man who claims he is campaigning to find out what
happened to missing Madeleine McCann has appeared before a judge accused of
contempt of court.
Tony Bennett, from Harlow in Essex, had previously agreed not to publish allegations linking the girl's parents to her disappearance.
He did so in an undertaking at the High Court in London in 2009, but he is alleged to have breached this 26 times.
Mr Bennett denies breaching the High Court ruling.
Giving evidence at the High Court, Mr Bennett said if he had "trespassed", then he would "like to apologise to the court".
"I was at no time deliberately trying to flout the undertaking," he said.
David Cameron
The judge will deliver his verdict on whether Mr Bennett is in contempt of court at a later date.
The court heard Mr Bennett wrote to Prime Minister David Cameron alleging Kate and Gerry McCann were involved in their daughter's disappearance, then published the letter online in May 2011.
Mr Bennett also wrote to Home Secretary Theresa May and Det Ch Insp Andy Redwood, the Scotland Yard detective leading the UK police review into the Madeleine case, and published these letters online.
Adrienne Page QC, representing the McCanns, said there was no complaint about Mr Bennett writing the letters.
However, she said: "The complaint is the publication to the world at large.
"This is advocacy, espousing, campaigning for the McCanns being involved in a cover-up and lies."
Madeleine disappeared when she was three years old in Praia da Luz in May 2007.
At one time Kate and Gerry McCann, from Rothley in Leicestershire, were made suspects by the Portuguese police, along with another man.
In July 2008 the Portuguese Attorney-General said there was no evidence linking her parents to any crime.
Ms Page said the McCanns had not brought the court action to punish Mr Bennett or send him to prison.
She said: "They want to put a halt to the persistent breaches of the undertaking by Mr Bennett."
29 Jan 2013
Jon Benet Ramsey offers insight into conduct of Kate Gerry McCann Media Campaign
JonBenet grand jury vindicates case's lead detective
This week, Charlie Brennan of the Boulder Daily Camera reported that a 1999 Boulder grand jury voted to indict John and Patsy Ramsey for the death of their 6-year old daughter, JonBenet, but that then District Attorney Alex Hunter declined to prosecute.
As an investigative reporter who has extensively covered the Ramsey case for nearly 16 years since it began and was personally acquainted with Hunter, this came as a surprise even to me.
Although the Ramsey’s children were cleared early, media reports originally shined a light on the Ramsey’s as the key suspects in the case. After the grand jury cleared the parents however, the family’s lawyers launched a successful public relations offensive that convinced most of the public that the Ramsey’s were innocent.
Now, several years later we are hearing for the first time that the Boulder grand jury found that JonBenet was killed as a result child abuse, and that the abuse was somehow caused by one of the parents.
Certainly, this is not by any means evidence that the Ramsey’s are in fact guilty, but it does chisel away at the public relations campaign the Ramsey’s mounted during the past several years to assert their innocence.
During my time in Boulder from 1997-2000, I spent a considerable amount of time as a cub reporter with Boulder County District Attorney Alex Hunter. Hunter was a cautious prosecutor who was driven by the probability of winning a conviction, not passion. Since there was no statute of limitations on murder, Hunter often told me, “We only get one shot at this. If we go for it too early we could lose and then JonBenet will never get justice. There’s no reason we can’t wait until we’re ready.”
Alex Hunter knew that proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial is a much higher threshold than convincing a grand jury. After all, the grand jury process only allows prosecutors to make their case and call witnesses without having to face the challenge of defense lawyers.
Strategically, Hunter made a lot of sense, and in my opinion, still does. Hunter viewed the case through the scope of reason, not emotion. However, there were others in the law enforcement community who believed the case should have been presented for trial.
Among the many police officers that stood out at the Boulder Police Department was the case’s lead detective, Steve Thomas. Thomas—whom I once nicknamed ‘JonBenet’s Avenger’—logged more overtime hours than any other officer working on the case. He was convinced that Patsy Ramsey had killed her daughter as a result of child abuse and fought passionately to convince his commanders and prosecutors to go on the offensive and take their chances at trial.
In the many conversations I had with Thomas during the time he was in pursuit of JonBenet’s killer he expressed a deep loyalty to JonBenet, and I was convinced that if anyone could ultimately solve the case, it was he.
Thomas often told me that he understood Hunter’s strategic decision to be wary of prosecution, but always came to the same conclusion: “We owe it to that little girl to take the chance.” Thomas’s attitude was essentially the old adage, “Let justice be done though thy heavens fall.”
In 1998, Thomas resigned in protest, publicly announcing his belief that Patsy Ramsey was involved in JonBenet’s death, and soon thereafter, the Ramsey’s launched a major legal and public relations campaign to discredit him. Thomas was hammered over and over by intruder theorists, and after debating the Ramsey’s on CNN in 2000 the family sued him for defamation and did everything they could to silence him.
Ten years later, after Hunter left office, his prosecutorial successor Mary Lacy shocked the law enforcement community by “exonerating” the Ramsey’s. Lacy’s exoneration came under heavy fire by the Boulder Police and FBI because they felt she had become too personally involved with the family, and authorities worried that her decision was driven by sympathy, not evidence.
They were also critical because although there is evidence that an intruder may have killed JonBenet, there is more compelling evidence that points to the likelihood that Patsy Ramsey was involved in the murder.
Part of Lacy’s decision was driven by the fact that the most experienced homicide investigator who had worked on the case, Lou Smit, believed that the Ramsey’s were innocent. For years, many people believed that the grand jury had not voted to indict the Ramsey’s because of Smit’s testimony.
Now we know otherwise. In fact, what the Boulder grand jury ultimately decided was that Steve Thomas was right all along.
There is no conclusive evidence who killed JonBenet Ramsey. However, those who passionately pursued justice for her deserve to be credited. The Boulder grand jury’s decision may not be conclusive evidence of the Ramsey’s guilt, but it is, to some extent, a vindication of the police department’s investigation and the lead detective who devoted himself to finding her killer.
Jeffrey Scott Shapiro is a journalist who has investigated the murder of JonBenet Ramsey for nearly 16 years.
As an investigative reporter who has extensively covered the Ramsey case for nearly 16 years since it began and was personally acquainted with Hunter, this came as a surprise even to me.
Although the Ramsey’s children were cleared early, media reports originally shined a light on the Ramsey’s as the key suspects in the case. After the grand jury cleared the parents however, the family’s lawyers launched a successful public relations offensive that convinced most of the public that the Ramsey’s were innocent.
Now, several years later we are hearing for the first time that the Boulder grand jury found that JonBenet was killed as a result child abuse, and that the abuse was somehow caused by one of the parents.
Now, several years later we are hearing for the first time that the Boulder grand jury found that JonBenet was killed as a result child abuse, and that the abuse was somehow caused by one of the parents.
Certainly, this is not by any means evidence that the Ramsey’s are in fact guilty, but it does chisel away at the public relations campaign the Ramsey’s mounted during the past several years to assert their innocence.
During my time in Boulder from 1997-2000, I spent a considerable amount of time as a cub reporter with Boulder County District Attorney Alex Hunter. Hunter was a cautious prosecutor who was driven by the probability of winning a conviction, not passion. Since there was no statute of limitations on murder, Hunter often told me, “We only get one shot at this. If we go for it too early we could lose and then JonBenet will never get justice. There’s no reason we can’t wait until we’re ready.”
Alex Hunter knew that proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial is a much higher threshold than convincing a grand jury. After all, the grand jury process only allows prosecutors to make their case and call witnesses without having to face the challenge of defense lawyers.
Strategically, Hunter made a lot of sense, and in my opinion, still does. Hunter viewed the case through the scope of reason, not emotion. However, there were others in the law enforcement community who believed the case should have been presented for trial.
Among the many police officers that stood out at the Boulder Police Department was the case’s lead detective, Steve Thomas. Thomas—whom I once nicknamed ‘JonBenet’s Avenger’—logged more overtime hours than any other officer working on the case. He was convinced that Patsy Ramsey had killed her daughter as a result of child abuse and fought passionately to convince his commanders and prosecutors to go on the offensive and take their chances at trial.
In the many conversations I had with Thomas during the time he was in pursuit of JonBenet’s killer he expressed a deep loyalty to JonBenet, and I was convinced that if anyone could ultimately solve the case, it was he.
Thomas often told me that he understood Hunter’s strategic decision to be wary of prosecution, but always came to the same conclusion: “We owe it to that little girl to take the chance.” Thomas’s attitude was essentially the old adage, “Let justice be done though thy heavens fall.”
In 1998, Thomas resigned in protest, publicly announcing his belief that Patsy Ramsey was involved in JonBenet’s death, and soon thereafter, the Ramsey’s launched a major legal and public relations campaign to discredit him. Thomas was hammered over and over by intruder theorists, and after debating the Ramsey’s on CNN in 2000 the family sued him for defamation and did everything they could to silence him.
Ten years later, after Hunter left office, his prosecutorial successor Mary Lacy shocked the law enforcement community by “exonerating” the Ramsey’s. Lacy’s exoneration came under heavy fire by the Boulder Police and FBI because they felt she had become too personally involved with the family, and authorities worried that her decision was driven by sympathy, not evidence.
They were also critical because although there is evidence that an intruder may have killed JonBenet, there is more compelling evidence that points to the likelihood that Patsy Ramsey was involved in the murder.
Part of Lacy’s decision was driven by the fact that the most experienced homicide investigator who had worked on the case, Lou Smit, believed that the Ramsey’s were innocent. For years, many people believed that the grand jury had not voted to indict the Ramsey’s because of Smit’s testimony.
Now we know otherwise. In fact, what the Boulder grand jury ultimately decided was that Steve Thomas was right all along.
There is no conclusive evidence who killed JonBenet Ramsey. However, those who passionately pursued justice for her deserve to be credited. The Boulder grand jury’s decision may not be conclusive evidence of the Ramsey’s guilt, but it is, to some extent, a vindication of the police department’s investigation and the lead detective who devoted himself to finding her killer.
Jeffrey Scott Shapiro is a journalist who has investigated the murder of JonBenet Ramsey for nearly 16 years.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/01/28/jonbenet-grand-jury-vindicates-lead-detective/#ixzz2JNG7aYXb
18 Jan 2013
McCann v Amaral adjourned for 6 months to try and settle case
It has now been 4 years since the McCann couples' arrogant proclamations about injuncting Goncalo Amaral and taking over a million pounds in damages from him. They told us he was "harming the search" and therefore this action just had to be taken. That does not provide any legal cause of action but it gives the impressions their intentions are good. Not that I have ever accepted they are, or that they have ever seriously instructed any competent investigator to look for Madeleine.
Since I read the Appeal judgment in favour of Amaral dated October 2010 where the Judges plaintively state Amaral did not infringe any of the McCann's claimed rights I have never been able to see how they could proceed any further with it. The McCanns unsuccessful appeal in Spring 2011 clearly snuffed out that candle completely.
If any couple deserved to face yet another humiliating climb down, after their avarice for both power over others and hard cash got the better of them, then Kate and Gerry McCann really do take the prize.
Here is the Portuguese report, not translated by me of course, but the gist is clear enough. For completeness I have also included an original report from 2009 when McCann couple were clearly quite convinced at that point they were going to shut Amaral up for good, and take from him everything he owns. I notice these days McCann have not instructed their press officer or whatever grandiose title Clarence Mitchell has these days, to gloat in the press, but who knows, there may be some spin to come.
x
McCann judgment that opposes the Gonçalo Amaral suspendedDecision relates to tentative agreementBy: TVI24 | 18/01/2013 17:43
The trial that pits the McCanns Gonçalo Amaral, in which Madeleine's parents claim compensation of € 1.2 million for allegedly defaming the former PJ inspector, is suspended in an attempt to settlement.
Judicial source told Lusa that the beginning of the trial, scheduled for 24 and 25 of this month, at 1. Civil Court of Lisbon, "was suspended because the parties are seeking an agreement."
The order of the court to defer the suspension was signed at the end of last week, so now follows a period of six months, after which, in the absence of agreement between Gonçalo Amaral and the parents of missing child in 2007, in the Algarve, will be marked audience.
The trial began this process was postponed twice, the first of which the February 9, 2012.
The judge later marked the beginning of the trial in the Palais de Justice for September 13 of that year, with three more scheduled sessions, but did not take place either due to unavailability of attorney Gonçalo Amaral, undergo an examination under anesthesia to the stomach.
In this action, which prompted the request for seizure of goods Gonçalo Amaral as a precautionary measure, Kate and Gerry McCann still complain protection of rights, freedoms and guarantees.
In related case, 7. Th Civil Court of Lisbon decided in January 2010 to maintain a ban on the book 'Maddie - The Truth of the Lie' written by Goncalo Amaral, and video with the same title based on a documentary broadcast on TVI.
The ban of the book and the video, which presents the thesis of Gonçalo Amaral involvement of Kate and Gerry McCann in the disappearance of her daughter with the concealment of the corpse had been provisionally enacted September 9, 2009.
The October 19, 2010, the Lisbon Court of Appeal annulled the decision of 7. Civil Court, after which the McCanns appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice (STJ).
In its judgment of 18 March 2011, the Supreme Court of Appeal upheld the decision.
Madeleine McCann disappeared on May 3, 2007, in an apartment in a holiday village of Praia da Luz, where she was vacationing with her parents and two twin brothers.
At the time of the disappearance, Goncalo Amaral was coordinator of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Judicial Police of Portimão.
Kate and Gerry McCann, who have always claimed that the child was abducted, were made defendants in September 2007.
The case was closed for lack of evidence, in July 2008, although prosecutors admit reopening if new data emerge about the disappearance of Madeleine.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Since I read the Appeal judgment in favour of Amaral dated October 2010 where the Judges plaintively state Amaral did not infringe any of the McCann's claimed rights I have never been able to see how they could proceed any further with it. The McCanns unsuccessful appeal in Spring 2011 clearly snuffed out that candle completely.
If any couple deserved to face yet another humiliating climb down, after their avarice for both power over others and hard cash got the better of them, then Kate and Gerry McCann really do take the prize.
Here is the Portuguese report, not translated by me of course, but the gist is clear enough. For completeness I have also included an original report from 2009 when McCann couple were clearly quite convinced at that point they were going to shut Amaral up for good, and take from him everything he owns. I notice these days McCann have not instructed their press officer or whatever grandiose title Clarence Mitchell has these days, to gloat in the press, but who knows, there may be some spin to come.
x
McCann judgment that opposes the Gonçalo Amaral suspendedDecision relates to tentative agreementBy: TVI24 | 18/01/2013 17:43
The trial that pits the McCanns Gonçalo Amaral, in which Madeleine's parents claim compensation of € 1.2 million for allegedly defaming the former PJ inspector, is suspended in an attempt to settlement.
Judicial source told Lusa that the beginning of the trial, scheduled for 24 and 25 of this month, at 1. Civil Court of Lisbon, "was suspended because the parties are seeking an agreement."
The order of the court to defer the suspension was signed at the end of last week, so now follows a period of six months, after which, in the absence of agreement between Gonçalo Amaral and the parents of missing child in 2007, in the Algarve, will be marked audience.
The trial began this process was postponed twice, the first of which the February 9, 2012.
The judge later marked the beginning of the trial in the Palais de Justice for September 13 of that year, with three more scheduled sessions, but did not take place either due to unavailability of attorney Gonçalo Amaral, undergo an examination under anesthesia to the stomach.
In this action, which prompted the request for seizure of goods Gonçalo Amaral as a precautionary measure, Kate and Gerry McCann still complain protection of rights, freedoms and guarantees.
In related case, 7. Th Civil Court of Lisbon decided in January 2010 to maintain a ban on the book 'Maddie - The Truth of the Lie' written by Goncalo Amaral, and video with the same title based on a documentary broadcast on TVI.
The ban of the book and the video, which presents the thesis of Gonçalo Amaral involvement of Kate and Gerry McCann in the disappearance of her daughter with the concealment of the corpse had been provisionally enacted September 9, 2009.
The October 19, 2010, the Lisbon Court of Appeal annulled the decision of 7. Civil Court, after which the McCanns appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice (STJ).
In its judgment of 18 March 2011, the Supreme Court of Appeal upheld the decision.
Madeleine McCann disappeared on May 3, 2007, in an apartment in a holiday village of Praia da Luz, where she was vacationing with her parents and two twin brothers.
At the time of the disappearance, Goncalo Amaral was coordinator of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Judicial Police of Portimão.
Kate and Gerry McCann, who have always claimed that the child was abducted, were made defendants in September 2007.
The case was closed for lack of evidence, in July 2008, although prosecutors admit reopening if new data emerge about the disappearance of Madeleine.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
McCanns To Sue Portuguese Detective Sky
News
The parents of Madeleine McCann are to sue former Portuguese police officer
Goncalo Amaral for defamation.
BREAKING
NEWS
7:25pm UK, Saturday May 16, 2009
More follows...
*
Update:
McCanns To Sue Portuguese Cop Over 'Slurs' Sky News
The parents of Madeleine McCann are to sue former Portuguese police officer
Goncalo Amaral for defamation.
7:36pm UK, Saturday May 16, 2009
Kate and Gerry McCann are to take action over comments made by the man who
previously led the botched inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance.
In a statement, they said: "We - together with our three children
Madeleine, Sean and Amelie - are taking this legal action against Goncalo Amaral
over his entirely unfounded and grossly defamatory claims - made in all types of
media, both within Portugal and beyond - that Madeleine is not only dead, but
that we, her parents, were somehow involved in concealing her body."
*
Update:
McCanns To Sue Detective Over 'Slurs' Sky News
7:51pm UK, Saturday May 16, 2009
The parents of Madeleine McCann are to sue former Portuguese police officer
Goncalo Amaral for defamation.
Kate and Gerry McCann are to take action over comments made by the man who
previously led the botched inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance.
In a statement, they said: "We - together with our three children
Madeleine, Sean and Amelie - are taking this legal action against Goncalo Amaral
over his entirely unfounded and grossly defamatory claims - made in all types of
media, both within Portugal and beyond - that Madeleine is not only dead, but
that we, her parents, were somehow involved in concealing her body."
The couple, from Rothley, Leicestershire, said they are taking action
because his claims that Madeleine is dead are hampering the search for their
daughter.
The decision was taken in a bid to prevent further publication of Amaral's
"deeply offensive" book The Truth of the Lie.
Also his TV documentary, and his "disgraceful thesis" that they were
involved in their daughter's disappearance.
The statement continued: "The primary reason for our legal action is
simple: to stop any negative effect that these absurd and deeply hurtful claims
may be having on the ongoing search for Madeleine.
"We can no longer stand back and watch as Mr Amaral tries to convince the
entire world that Madeleine is dead.
"Nor can we allow this blatant injustice to Madeleine, with its obvious
risk of hindering our attempts to find her, to continue.
"Mr Amaral's entirely unjustified claims have not only brought
indescribable devastation and suffering to our lives, they have hugely
compounded the already immense pain and anxiety we have endured since
Madeleine's abduction."
Madeleine disappeared two years ago in Praia da Luz, Portugal, while her
parents dined in a nearby tapas bar.
13 Jan 2013
World Famous Brit Music Star to be Arrested over abusing boys as young as ten
I wanted to capture this report in The Star today, just in case any world famous pop star gets his expensive lawyers exercised....
I hope UK continue to move forward in arresting child abusers without fear or favour for wealth or knighthoods etc
JUSTICE TO ALL ABUSED LITTLE KIDS who have an absolute right to grow up safe from molestation by perverted adults XX
SAVILE COPS TARGET 7 MORE
ABOVE: Savile police are to arrest seven more celebrities
A famous singer is being investigated over alleged abuse of boys as young as ten.
13th January 2013
By Tom Savage EXCLUSIVE
ONE of the world’s biggest music stars faces arrest by detectives investigating sex offences.
His name is on a list of seven famous men yet to be quizzed about complaints.
He would be by far the biggest name to be embroiled in the Operation Yewtree investigation.
Also on the list is a serving national politician, three entertainers and two members of the same 60s band.
Sources said the arrests are likely to take place in the coming weeks – although some may have to wait for the men to return from abroad.
The Daily Star Sunday cannot name the people involved for legal reasons.
The famous singer is being investigated over alleged abuse of boys as young as ten, sources said.
Operation Yewtree was started in October following a flood of sex abuse allegations against Jimmy Savile.
There are three “strands” to the investigation – crimes committed by Savile, those committed by Savile with others and those committed by “others” which have come to light following publicity surrounding Savile’s death.
The men yet to be questioned are being investigated under the “others” part of the probe.
So far ten men have been quizzed by Yewtree officers.
Nine have been arrested – ex-pop star Gary Glitter, 68, entertainer Freddie Starr, 69, former BBC producer Wilfred De’ath, 75, DJ Dave Lee Travis, 67, publicity guru Max Clifford, 69, a former BBC chauffeur in his 60s, Savile’s Radio 1 producer Ted Beston, 76, comic and DJ Mike Osman, 53, and funnyman Jim Davidson, 59.
Glitter, Osman and the chauffeur haven’t commented, while the others have denied the allegations.
A tenth man, a TV star in his 80s from Berkshire, was questioned in November.
A source close to the Yewtree inquiry said: “At least seven household names are yet to be hauled in.”
28 Oct 2012
McCann finally admit they collect but there are no private detectives, sounds like fraud
UK NEWS
MADDIE MCCANN PRIVATE EYES OF
Madeleine McCann vanished in the Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007
Sunday October 28,2012
By James Murray and Tracey Kandohia
KATE and Gerry McCann are no longer employing private detectives to search for their missing daughter Madeleine.
They are pinning all hopes of finding their child on Scotland Yard detectives who are conducting an “investigative review” of evidence but have yet to make a breakthrough.
The Sunday Express understands the McCanns stopped using former police detectives Dave Edgar and Arthur Cowley some months ago when their contract ran out.
While they worked on the case they built up a good relationship with Kate and Gerry, of Rothley, Leicestershire, who felt they applied sound common sense to their inquiries in Britain and Portugal.
“There was no fall-out,” said a source. “They did the work as required and got on well with Kate and Gerry. Their contract simply came to its natural end.
“It was felt the lead should be taken by the Scotland Yard detectives working on the review. Dave and Arthur passed over all their material to the Yard officers.” There has been no mention of the decision to end the contract on the McCanns’ findmadeleine website, which still states: “The majority of the fund money has been and continues to be spent on investigative work to help find Madeleine.
It was felt the lead should be taken by the Scotland Yard detectives working on the review
|
A source
|
“Additionally money continues to be spent on the wider ‘Awareness Campaign’, reminding people that Madeleine is still missing and to remain vigilant.”
The fund has been bolstered by at least £1million raised from Kate’s bestselling book Madeleine.
It was published in May 2011 shortly after the fourth anniversary of her eldest child’s disappearance from the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007.
At the book’s launch, GP Kate, 44, said: “While she remains missing, the onus is on us to keep looking for her. Investigations and campaigns cost money, which has to be raised by us.
“Every penny we raise through the sales of this book will be spent on our search for Madeleine. Nothing is more important to us.”
Then, after successfully lobbying David Cameron, Scotland Yard was called on to conduct the review using some of the force’s best murder detectives.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood, who leads the review codenamed Operation Grange, said earlier this year he believed Madeleine, then three, had been snatched by a stranger and could be alive.
At that time his team was following 195 potential new leads. Portuguese police chiefs, who head all global investigations, have refused officially to re-open the case, although some officers have been assigned to assist the Yard.
In August, Met Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe appeared to cast doubt on the review’s future when he said he would ask David Cameron how long he would fund it for.
However, there was good news last week when the Home Office said there was no deadline on the work being conducted in secrecy by detectives.
A spokesperson said: “We have no plans to end the funding and the review into the search for Madeleine will continue.” It is thought it will have cost £2.5million by the end of the year.
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