Gerry getting all the attention his little heart desired, on 9 September 2007, more to come Gezxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Gerry, desperately seeking Madeleine, aged two, or, it would seem aged about ten, no hint of what happened in between, as yet.
SATELLITE CLUE TO MADDIE KIDNAP
MISSING: Madeleine McCann
Sunday October 18,2009
By James Murray HOME Secretary Alan Johnson is prepared to ask US spy chiefs for satellite images which may show the face of Madeleine McCann’s kidnapper, following intervention by the Sunday Express.
Hope of new progress came after it emerged Leicestershire Police never made a formal request to the Home Office for views of Praia da Luz on Portugal’s Algarve at the time the little girl vanished in May 2007.
The quality of pictures taken by satellites in space is now so good they can reputedly identify the colour of someone’s eyes.
Last night a senior source with the Portuguese police said: “We know US spy satellites regularly sweep over Portugal looking at military installations and government facilities.
“So we thought they might actually have images of Praia da Luz on the day of the kidnapping and the preceding days.
“We hoped spy images may have captured the kidnapper watching the apartment prior to the event or even on the day itself. Obviously, having a picture would have speeded up the apprehension of the offender.”
Google Earth view from where Madeleine was snatched
Yet more than two years after Madeleine was snatched no help has been forthcoming, despite early requests from senior Portuguese detectives.
The Portuguese source explained: “This was fully discussed with Leicestershire Police and officials with the British Government.
“We were confident of getting progress because of Gordon Brown’s interest in the case and this apparent special relationship between Britain and the United States.
“Your ambassador to Portugal even visited our officers soon after the kidnap.
“The bad news for us is that we got nowhere with this avenue of inquiry, which was both frustrating and infuriating.”
For, despite all the talk, nothing appears to have been done officially with the British government and the formal requests were never made.
Last night a spokesman for Mr Johnson said extensive checks within the security intelligence community had failed to discover any formal request ever having come to them through Leicestershire Police from Portugal.
However, he said that if a request were now made Mr Johnson would see whether he could offer any assistance in trying to persuade the Americans to become co-operative.
SEARCH UK NEWS for:
The issue appears so sensitive that Prime Minister Mr Brown may have to speak directly to US President Barack Obama in order to achieve co-operation.
The Sunday Express sought explanations for the extraordinary situation from the US government’s ultra- secretive National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
The agency’s lawyers are now considering a Freedom of Information request from the Sunday Express.
A spokesman for the agency said: “NGA does not provide imagery to private citizens or private companies. For reasons of national security we do not discuss specifics about what images we have or our capabilities.”
Private investigators working for parents Kate and Gerry McCann, who live in Rothley, Leicestershire, have also tried to access US satellite images, but with no success.
93 comments:
You would think Clarence Mitchell, on behalf of Kate and Gerry would really be pushing the UK government to seek the full co-operation of the Americans to capture the picture of Maddie's kidnapper, really, wouldn't you?
I wonder what Clarence's relationship is now with the Daily Express? I mean they are being so helpful in seeking to find Maddie's kidnapper, surely, he will kiss and make up and tell us how thrilled Kate and Gerry are with this initiative?
The Sunday Express memoBuzz up!
Digg it
MediaGuardian, Friday 4 July 2003 15.25 BST Article historySent: Monday, June 30, 2003, 13:27
Subject: Memo
Importance: High
Memo to all
Last Saturday it was decided there will be a dramatic change in direction for the paper.
ATTITUDE
Previously we have deliberately chosen to be neutral in our reporting of stories, presenting both sides without taking a strong opinion.
We'll still present both sides, but we now have to take a very strong attitude or angle on the story.
While not being rabid, we will now write stories with far more punch, clarity and purpose.
For example:
A row broke out at the BBC last night over a programme about politicans [sic] taking money from High Street betting chains ... BBC said this, MPS said that blah blah blah becomes ...Greedy politicians have been accused of lining their pockets with backhanders from bookies, according to a BBC report. We need to be aggressivley [sic] on the attack while not making the stories libellous.
We need to be constantly stirring things up.
We must make the readers cross....the appalling state of the railways, the neglect of the health service, the problem of teenage pregnancies, the inability of bureacrats [sic] to get enough done properly etc etc.
The middle classes feel under attack because of stealth taxes, crime, the breakdown in society and we need to reflect that. We have to be on the side of the middle classes and understand their concerns and worries, as well as their hopes and ambitions.
This week we had a good story about a couple who have been constantly burgled so they put a sign outside their home offering a reward. Why? Because the police had let them down.
We should always be looking for someone to blame!
A lot of the attitude will come from stronger, punchier and more passionate headlines, but the backbench will need copy with strong attitude in the first place...they will need something to work from.
SEX STORIES and SCANDAL
Unlike most papers we do not have many sex stories or scandals, but that will change. We are aiming to have six sex stories a week.
In an ideal world we should have a "cabinet minister affair" story...sex and scandal at the highest level of society always sells well, but these stories are notoriously difficult to get.
We should be looking out for vicars having flings, Oxford dons having flings, Royals having flings, showbiz stars having flings ... all the usual suspects.
As well as sex scandals, we need to have other scandals...football bosses fiddling transfer deals, fat cat company exectives (sic) shafting pension funds, consumers being ripped off by dodgy companies, doctors giving the wrong drugs to patients, children being given the wrong jabs for MMR etc etc.
EMOTION
A lot of our stories are what could be termed as dry... they don't make the reader laugh or cry. We need to powerfully convey emotion in the story... the high of climbing Everest barefoot, the agony of losing a loved one in a tragedy... the frustration and emptiness of not knowing if a missing loved one is dead or alive. All these emotions must be vividly and movingly brought to life.
We run a lot of stories with break outs, which often have the human story behind the main story. We want to have fewer break outs with the "human face" right at the top of the story.
HUMOUR AND QUIRKY
We must be on the constant look out for funny and quirky tales. We have to give readers a laugh and intrique them.
DEADLINES
Now we will be placing stories on Thursday afternoons instead of Friday afternoons. Everyone should make a special effort to get their stories written and in by Thursday lunchtime. Obviously that will not be possible in all circumstances, but it is essential that people get stories written earlier, allowing more time to be given to presentation.
In short we have to be more focussed, punchier, and engaging. We don't do dull. We don't do bland. We don't do middle of the road.
James Murray
the frustration and emptiness of not knowing if a missing loved one is dead or alive. All these emotions must be vividly and movingly brought to life.
So maybe this is the angle they are currently running with?
Interesting to look back a bit to what Mitchell was saying, now of course the abductor had a key, inexorably getting that bit closer to admitting who he was!
Mr Mitchell made his comments when questioned by a 'Prime Time' team in a report on the disappearance to be screened tomorrow. "There was no evidence of a break-in," said Mr Mitchell.
"I'm not going into the detail, but I can say that Kate and Gerry are firmly of the view that somebody got into the apartment and took Madeleine out the window as their means of escape, and to do that they did not necessarily have to tamper with anything. They got out of the window fairly easily."
Of the criticism that the McCanns left their children by themselves on four evenings while they went for dinner, Mr Mitchell said there was a cultural difference between Britain and Portugal.
"It is a British approach to get your children washed, bathed and in bed early in the evening if you can so you can have something of the evening to yourself. That is the British way of doing things. It doesn't mean it's wrong. It doesn't mean it's right," he said.
"Nobody feels more guilty than Gerry and Kate over the decision they took jointly to leave their children in that position that night. And they will never forgive themselves. They've said this often.
"Nobody feels more guilty than they that Madeleine was alone when she was taken. However, they felt they had a perfectly proper system of checking (her in place)."
Oh dear. Seems the King Pro-McCann has conceded there was no evidence of a break in. The abductor simply teleported into the apartment, snatched M then teleported out right in front of Tanner.
Link to program http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/1025/primetime.html
Sunday, 25 January 2009 00:42:00 o'clock GMT
Gerry recently announced that Edgar will be the only one making announcements in future, that is because Mitchell already made a big arse of himself, I suppose:-(((
Tough being employed by the McCanns!
It is interesting to watch that video again, Clarence Mitchell says that any suggestion the twins were drugged is both malevolent and malicious and will be proven to be false, but that is not what they are now saying either is it?
So originally they insist, the abductor broke into the apartment and took Madeleine out via the window. They insist she was now drugged.
Now they say the abductor had a key to the apartment and all of the children were drugged. I believe very firmly the McCanns are in serious trouble.
*not drugged
Morning Viv,
I do not believe for one moment, even if the satellite pictures were made available, that they would have been trained on PdL at the exact moment Madeleine was removed from apartment 5A.
I thought satellite pictures were requested before but the satellite was pointing out to sea trained on North Africa. Perhaps that was a different source though.
As Dave et al are suggesting satellite pictures, no doubt authorised by the McCanns, it would be unlikely imo they will get them or they will reveal anything.
These are the actions of desperate people trying to divert attention by requesting this piece of info in the full knowledge their request will be denied.
After all this piece of information could prove their guilt as well as their innocence!
The Daily Express memo quote: “We must make the readers cross....”. Well they certainly achieved this along with other media sources on their recent reporting of the McCann case.
Imo all media sources have been Carter-Rucked with super injunctions - nothing else can explain the biased reporting we have recently seen.
Morning Wiz
I agree spy satellite pictures seems very unlikely, but we only have the DX's word for it that Edgar is actually asking for them.
Could it be the DX are being "overly helpful" in requesting something the McCanns really would not like to see, because I would be willing to bet if there actually was a pic of someone carrying Maddie off it would be her, erm loving Daddy.
I think you could be right the McCanns have the press Carter Rucked, just how embarassing would it be for them if that one got out the bag:-))
Oh I just love the DX they are really making me laugh over the last few weeks...
So Pro McCann they cant be sued but knowing full well Gerry will be stamping his foot in frustration as they get so close to the truth I am surprised the pair of them and thier 7 friends arnt all in custody now waiting for a court date...
I know they tried to get the satalite photos before but were told they were on Morroco at the time but oh dear dear there are so many satalites out there we dont even know about and Obama is a real family man maybe he is trying to help them and I cant see him covering up for a couple who neglected their children....
Never mind the apartment I want to see pictures of the Smith family talking to a man carrying his sleeping child home that would be priceless....
justice for Madeleine the victim of her parents neglect and god knows what else !!!!!!!!!
Hope darling
I see things just the way you do and it certainly causes me a wry smile.
I can just imagine Gezzy, furiously snorting a bit more coke and loudly blustering and gesticulating about what he would like to do to the Daily Express, with Kate and the Pink Nit trying to calm him down a bit.
I actually find it difficult to believe that the only satellite images available at the time would have been trained on Morocco, for starters the yanks are not the only ones with these things and satellites do not by their nature just sit still looking at one thing.
Like you say Obama is a real family man and so is Gordy, if there is one thing that could save his bacon!
xx
As Madeleine was last sighted in Sweden. I hope the satellite will lock onto any Volvo’s in the vicinity of PDL on 3 May.
Well you have to smile at the Express. If we didn’t know better it might appear they have lost the plot.
But…..by campaigning, in a round about way, for the reopening of the case their alternative, as yet unwritten, headline screams vindication and the sweet smell of revenge.
Hi Viv & all
The DE article did make me laugh, the Satellite can see the colour of an eye, oh please, they were also supposedly trained on Morocco at the time. Somehow, I don't think we will be hearing much more about these pics, but I don't mind being proved wrong.
I can't quite decide whether the DE are trying to get their own back for the payout, or whether team McCann have placed this story in the press to cover something that is about to come out. I really believe something is going on in the background, only time will tell.
Apologies that I am still not around much, I am having to help my daughter out quite a bit with my Grandson, which I don't mind, and he does seem to be getting slightly better. Also have decorators in at home so very busy. I am reading and keeping up as much as possible and will post when I can.
Atardi
Lovely to see you again, I do hope you will keep posting.
Off for the evening.
Someone should tell the Express that the case is not supposed to be solved because that would lead to closure and the fund would go etc. Its supposed to be a mystery so that the McCanns can go around without challenge to their version of events and make up more suspects on the way, thus keeping the circus going. The Express is perhaps asking too many questions for comfort, still clinging to the abductor scenario though.
I would be very surprised if satellite images were released if they exist as clearly with all the money and power behind the McCanns a few sat images would have been no bother to obtain in the first instance. No,IMO if such images exist they will stay under lock and key.
hiya Wiz
I certainly tend to agree with you in feeling the DX are campaigning in a roundabout way, putting pressure on the McCanns and always looking to the long term goal.
I was pretty clear when they took them for half a million plus costs there would be a payback date and somehow I do not think it is too far away. Newspapers at the best of times are not the best industry to get on the wrong side of, and I think the DX are one of the worst. Look what happened to the grasping "Lord" Archer!
xx
Hiya Di,
Even on the internet now, you can zoom to your own area, look pretty closely into people's back gardens and see the cars going by. I may be wrong, but my reasoning is, if this is what is freely available for anyone to see on the net, what are the Americans likely to have that is not so freely available?
Like you I tend to both views, it is almost like the DX are playing a game of cat and mouse with the McCanns. They are admitting the children were now drugged and they are admitting that contrary to what they insisted, the bedroom window business is poppycock, this abductor had a key to the front door. That comes perilously close to an admission. I would not be surprised if the DX are in the know about the state of the evidence, playing with the McCanns, whilst to all intents and purposes innocently being able to say, what did we do.
I think they were very much in the know about the state of the evidence in the early stages and I think they still are. Just because they cannot print it, does not stop them from finding out and knowing. Knowing what lies ahead would surely make you a good news editor and planning how you will build the story accordingly, subject to restrictions of libel, contempt of court, sub judice, right to fair trial etc.
I think they are already putting half the story out, what they cannot mention is that Gerry is the guy with the key. That much is obvious really.
Given the McCanns are now completely changing their story, I think there is something very serious going on in the background, and they still fight very shy of mentioning British Police. In fact they seem to want to move closer to Portugal, they are in fact safer there, I believe!
I think it is great that you are being a supernan helping your daughter out. That is the sign of being a wonderful mom and I am sure she will really appreciate you for that and be able to enjoy her lovely little boy so much more given she is getting that support.
It is strange but we seem to be getting work done at the same time. I am currently trying to get people back to put new bath in/revamp bathroom, finish skirtings etc around house. Also my bedroom never got replastered, so I need to clear off to Egypt again, booked 2 November and just hoping I can get some decent people in to do the work including some more electrics whilst I am away, leaving Luke in charge, how brave of me!
xx
Hiya Joe
I have always thought that Gerry McCann planned this and one of the major, if not the major motivator, was making a huge amount of money from what he so quaintly calls, the Kate and Gerry Show.
I think, to his chagrin, he and Kate have just not been quite as popular as he hoped, or indeed gained the sympathy that he hoped in spite of all the money they spend on imaging.
Only the next month after Maddie went missing he let slip he felt sure he could maintain the interest in Madeleine's disappearance in the long-term. I may not always agree with Tony Bennett but I read him earlier with revised comments following consultations with his lawyers. I think it went something along the lines of how could Gerry McCann be so certain at that early stage Madeleine would be missing long term, and not, in the meantime, found, either dead or alive, by the police. That has to be a really good example of negative thinking, but I do not think it was negative, with Gerry. It was, as you imply, that he wanted to keep this going long term because he planned to make millions out of it. We heard about the book being ghost written and Madeleine the movie. The problem for narcissists is their grandiose schemes in the end, never materialise in the gradiose manner of their dreams and visions. Even if he was plying the PJ with a dearth of such rubbish!
Oh just one more thought Joe, re the satellite imaging. Gordon Brown is currently in dire political trouble and looking like he is going to lose the general election. But just imagine if he did uncover satellite images in between now and the election? He is a wily enough old campaigner to know that solving the Maddie mystery would put him right back in the publics' good books.
"They slept very soundly until we moved them into the other apartment which does make you wonder about whether any substances were used to keep them asleep"
That man is always going to fill me with utter revulsion.
JUSTICE FOR MADDIE!!
XXX
Viv you make a good point in the possibility that Brown would use the solving of this case with his influence as an election ploy. It certainly would do well for his popularity ratings. Either way by currently backing the move at the moment to ask for any sat images if they exist too would also boost his ratings. Like all politicians they will use whatever to boost themselves.
Hi Viv & Joe
What if GB does get access to these satellite images, and they show that T9 were not telling the truth as to their movements during their holiday. Quite honestely they would be whooshed immediately.
GB cannot make himself look a fool with the amount of support he gave them, also his interference in getting GA removed from the case.
As I have said before I would be very surprised if anything comes of this. I agree GB needs all the help he can get at the moment, but also imagine if the satellite images did show an abduction, he is in a no win situation as he interfered in the PJ investigation.
I am very interested to see how this will turn out. No word from Kate & Gerry I see.
Posted on Maddie Case Files.
Off for a while.
Link
Hiya Joe and Di
I think there is clear evidence that Gerry was using his influence, maybe even through Clarence Mitchell also to get right to the political top. He has always let slip that he wants to look at the wider political issues. He tried to hijack the Amber Alert review in Europe as a political vehicle for furthering his own ends.
AT the time, Brown was PM in waiting, knowing he simply does not have the personal charisma of Blair and behaved unwisely in trying to portray the image, probably with a lot of unhelpful advice from media men as to how to improve his image by being seen to be so caring and helpful to the McCanns in their hour of need.
I think he made a similar unwise move in personally intervening in the situation of Jade Goody and allowing her boyfriend out of prison early etc. Maybe this is borne out of a sense of desperation in knowing that image is so important in politics and he does lack that certain something that the likes of Clinton, Obama and Blair so clearly possess.
The support he did give them was when he was being used by Gerry McCann and others in the early stages, once it became clear they were suspects they were abruptly cut loose. Brown refused Clarence Mitchell's request for a personal audience with him and wisely too. Milliband was appointed as FS and refused to have any contact at all with the McCanns.
So I do not see this as all the help they have been given. And I seriously do question the motivations and behaviours of Clarence Mitchell and believe he did abuse his position in the government. Ministers do act on advice received.
I do not know that the request for Goncalo to be removed personally came from Gordon Brown, but can certainly perceive UK would have been lobbying Pt for his removal.
I think there would have been two essential reasons for this. Firstly, criminal investigations in UK, most particularly concerning child abuse, are dealt with in the utmost confidence. It is clear that there was a lot of press briefing going on whilst Goncalo was in charge, that would have greatly upset UK. They would always have been aware that ultimately if it was the McCanns and other Brits that were involved in the disappearance of Maddie, it would be a matter for UK to prosecute.
Secondly, I think Goncalo displayed a closed mind. He took the alerts of the dogs, developed a hypothesis as to what the McCanns did with Madeleine and would not consider any other options. He just wanted to build a case against them on the basis of death in the apt and disposal of the body.
Other senior personnel in Pt were displaying the sort of mindset that UK officers would want to see. Look at all options, was she killed or was she kidnapped? How exactly were the McCanns involved, look at all the evidence carefully, not just get sidetracked into putting all eggs in one basket.
It was unprofessional behaviour and so was writing a book about the case, that would be severely frowned upon in UK and be considered to seriously impede the course of justice. There is a firm belief that letting offenders know full details of the evidence, the tactics the investigation hypotheses just helps the offenders and that should never happen.
In fairness I think I should add to the list of those who clearly possess that certain something, David Cameron and Brown is really up against it.
The McCanns remain completely silent on events in UK and have completely changed their story, there has to be a very good reason for that, and I remain confident and optimistic.
October 19, 2009
Satellites may unveil crime
The Polícia Judiciária believes that the key to the Maddie case lies with images of the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz, on the night of the 3rd of May 2007, taken from Space
by Henrique Machado
The images from North American satellites are the hope that is left to find out what happened on the night of the 3rd of May 2007, in Praia da Luz, Lagos. They have the capacity for it, enough resolution to reveal who took Maddie live or dead out of that apartment – and the Judiciária knows it. The investigation equated asking for international cooperation at that level, Correio da Manhã has established, but the military and secret character of the use of that technology rendered the request inviable. Now, it’s the British government who will formally request the images from the United States.
The formal request for cooperation is to be submitted to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency by Alan Johnson, the British Home Secretary. This information is advanced by the ‘Sunday Express’, which cites the reaction from a spokesperson for the North American Agency. “NGA does not provide imagery to private citizens or private companies. For reasons of national security we do not discuss specifics about what images we have or our capabilities.” But the relationship between both countries may make the difference – and the newspaper advances that England is going to do everything that it can, on the diplomatic field.
Meanwhile, Correio da Manhã knows that this matter was discussed several times at the highest levels within the PJ’s investigation, in Portimão. The satellites have predefined routes, they receive directives depending on the interest zones – but the Portuguese investigators knew that the United States have military interests in the North of Africa, and the Algarve is a potential passage area.
The PJ even went as far as to investigate the possibility of European satellites, which are public, having relevant information – but only the North Americans will have the capacity of going back to the night of the crime, and to clearly reveal who walked around in Praia da Luz, carrying the four year old child. Nonetheless, the information request never moved forward: it was understood that the United States would never place secret information and military interests at stake, to solve the Maddie case.
Doubts about the McCann couple
The practical use of the satellite images in the Maddie case would be in the sense of obtaining pictures that reveal who took the child out of the apartment at the Ocean Club on the night of the 3rd of May 2007, and where she was taken. Dead or alive. The PJ considered trying to use this means at different stages of the investigation – namely at the end, when it was left without evidence. Satellite images could also clear the doubts about the McCann couple.
Direct Speech: General Loureiro dos Santos, former CEME
“I believe that the USA will help”
Correio da Manhã – Is it possible that the United States captured images of Praia da Luz on the 3rd of May 2007?
- Most of the satellites are geostationary, they are fixed from the Earth’s point of view. They act permanently over military or economical interest areas, for example. In terms of that area of the Algarve, it’s possible, but only the USA may answer that.
- Are the images recorded, and do they have enough quality to identify a person?
- They are, depending on the interest that the area has at that time of the year. I presume that the images are of great quality.
- Do you believe that the USA accept to cooperate in the investigation?
- I do, as long as making those images available, assuming the surveillance of a certain area, does not compromise the USA’s strategic interests.
Details
Legal discussion | If there are satellite images, their use would imply a legal discussion – this would be an unedited means of evidence in Portugal. They would have to be validated by an instruction judge.
Brown and Obama | The ‘Sunday Express’ advances that Gordon Brown’s commitment may lead him to personally intercede with Obama.
Most evolved country | The USA are the world’s most evolved country, in terms of satellites.
source: Correio da Manhã, 19.10.2009 (paper edition)
We have a new Home Secretary for a few months, and seemingly much greater efforts are now being made to find out exactly who took Maddie out of the apt that night and crucially, was she dead or alive?
Maybe we need to be asking ourselves the questions did Jacqui Smith impede the course of justice in the Maddie case, and if so, why did she do that?
Well said, why would there be a deafening silence from Rothley in relation to finding out exactly who abducted little Maddie from the apartment? I will not go on to state the obvious! :
Re: Satellites may unveil crime
Colonel Fabien Today at 14:28
.I read both the Portuguese and English versions of the Correio da Manhâ article and they make no mention of the LP not passing on the request for the satellite pictures.
Anyone notice the deafening silence coming from Rothley? The McCanns have not joined the Express in asking New Scotland Yard to investigate nor are they "heartened" (their favourite expression) by this latest development..
and we have an expert opinion from the lovely BigL:-)))))) I think this one may just have Mr Manipulator feeling quite powerless, how awful for him!
the one and only big_l Today at 17:24
.heres the scenario.......................................rothley towers.
gerrys in the back garden ,well 200 metres from the house and kate gets out her megaphone and shouts "hey our kid !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! what you doing down there eh?". "i,m building a big mother f_cker of a ray gun to shoot down all those f_cking stackalittes " shouts back gerry "well mind and keep the receipts for the fund gazza" says kate. .
So you have both the British and Pt authorities alluding to Maddie being abducted and hoping she will be found safe and well. Of course it is confirmed again, the investigation continues, unfortunately for the McCanns. Maybe Gerry has Madeleine somewhere he knows she is safe and well?
Read the Government’s response
Thank you for your e-petition entitled ”Order a review into the role of British police in relation to the Portuguese inquiry into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.”
Madeleine McCann went missing in Praia de Luz, Portugal, on 3 May 2007. As Madeleine went missing in Portugal, the investigation is being led by the Portuguese authorities, who retain primacy in the investigation.
The British police involvement in the investigation of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, led by Leicestershire Constabulary, continues. The Police have put considerable effort into the investigation and any new lines of enquiry will be investigated and communicated to the Portuguese authorities.
Information received in the UK that can be investigated in the UK is investigated by the Leicestershire Major Crime Team and evidence forwarded to the Portuguese in accordance with normal international protocols. Any information received in the UK that needs to be investigated abroad is forwarded to the Portuguese so that they can assess the information and either conduct inquiries in Portugal or direct other international inquiries through Interpol. Any requests for further investigation in the UK by the Portuguese will be expedited and evidence provided to them in accordance with normal international protocols.
The Government does not believe that a review into the role of British police in relation to the Portuguese inquiry into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann would serve a useful purpose.
We continue to hope that Madeleine will be found safe and well.
Hi Viv
I also received this response today.
This was probably the only interesting part of the statement.
The British police involvement in the investigation of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, led by Leicestershire Constabulary, continues.
Let us hope so.
Sorry, the link I gave above went to the French site and not Maddie Case Files. I will try again.
link
Viv & all
I have just had an awful thought!
What was it Gordon Brown said, supposedly, about us having to be prepared!
Could this be it, we are all being watched not only by CCTV but also by Satellite, up close.
Well, nothing would surprise me anymore.
Thanks Di, I never doubted that British Police continue to investigate though!
Maybe Gordon could even think the idea of a bunch of doctors going on holiday with little children....is a concept the public would need to be prepared for. Perhaps that is why we got just a taster, the GASPAR statement?
I see there is currently the most disgusting attack on Bren on psycho's blog. Even by RPs standards it really does take some beating, I even get mentioned as being a paedophile myself, not for the first time.
Hey ho, pot kettle black!
this report dated 2007 reported that images much smaller than Maddie could be easily seen and every place in the world could be recaptured every 3 days so fast was the rate of data gathering even then Scary stuff if you are a terrorist being tracked or even a child abductor/less than perfect parent.
18/12/2007
Satellite Surveillance
Developments in satellite surveillance (also called "remote sensing") during the last decade have embraced features similar to those of more conventional visual surveillance. Satellite resolution has constantly improved since the end of the Cold War, largely due to efforts by companies such as EarthWatch, Motorola and Boeing. These companies have invested billions of dollars to create satellites capable of mapping even the most minute detail on the face of the earth.
The use of commercial satellite imagery by governments has increased substantially in recent years. Images obtained through commercial satellites were key in aiding US military forces carrying out Operation Iraqi Freedom.[1] The US Commercial Remote Sensing Space Policy, signed in 2003, ordered all federal government agencies to utilize commercial satellite imagery and encouraged development of a strong US remote sensing industry.[2] Space Imaging (now part of Geo-Eye) and DigitalGlobe are the two major players in the commercial satellite industry, collecting thousands of square kilometers of imagery each day. Both companies are the recipients of substantial contracts with the US government for images from their satellites.
Space Imaging was the first to launch one of the new generation high-resolution satellites, the IKONOS, in September 1999. ORBIMAGE acquired Space Imaging in 2006 to form GeoEye, the world's largest commercial remote sensing company.[3] Its parabolic lens can recognize objects as small as one meter (3.28 feet) anywhere on earth and, according to the company, viewers can see individual trees, automobiles, road networks, and houses. Collecting data at a rate of over 2,000 square kilometers (772 square miles) per minute, the volume of imagery provided by this satellite is staggering. Considered the grandfather of commercial satellites, IKONOS is used by a number of industries in addition to government.[4] Public interest groups are also using the information to show images of nuclear testing by countries and even images of secret United States bases such as Area 51 in Nevada.[5] GeoEye’s latest prototype, the GeoEye-1, is due to be launched at the end of 2007.[6] Tauted as the world’s highest resolution commercial Earth-imaging satellite, the GeoEye-1 GeoEye-1 will be able to precisely locate an object to within 3 meters of its true location on the surface of the Earth, and is able to recognize objects as small as .41 meters. The satellite will be able to collect up to 700,000 square kilometers of imagery per day. GeoEye-1 will be able to revisit any point on Earth once every three days or sooner.[7]
In 2001, DigitalGlobe launched the satellite QuickBird, which provides images as small as two feet (0.61 meters). DigitalGlobe is currently working on improving resolution and collection capacity with their next-generation WorldView 1 satellite, scheduled to launch in mid-2007, and its WorldView 2 satellite, anticipated to launch in late 2008.[8]
While governments are increasingly relying on commercial satellite technology, private companies are raising public awareness by providing access to images through the Internet. Upon acquisition of the satellite image firm, Keyhole, in October 2004, Google Inc. combined satellite imagery, maps and its popular search engine to create Google Earth.[9] Google Earth is a free download that allows users to view a map in satellite form by simply entering an address or executing a search. The service is still in the early stages, and the level of resolution varies from distant aerial photographs to street level, depending on the area. For an additional fee, the company offers two upgraded versions of Google Earth, incorporating Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and data import capability for more advanced application. The satellite option was initially offered through Google’s Internet mapping service, Google Maps, but in a more limited form. Other companies, such as Microsoft, also offer satellite imagery through various Web sites.[10] On May 25, 2007, Google released Street View, a new feature of Google Maps that provides 360 degree panoramic street-level views of New York City, San Francisco, Miami, Denver, Las Vegas, Orlando, San Diego, Los Angeles, Houston, and their surrounding metropolitan areas. The service has raised some privacy objections as Street View displays detailed images of home interiors as well as images of shelters and clinics.
Integration of existing satellite images with ground-based Geographic Information System (GIS) databases have produced interactive maps available for widespread use. GIS technology allows users to link detailed data on human activity to mapping software. Information ranging from census data to crime statistics may be incorporated into these maps.[11] Because there is no limit to the types of information that can be linked to satellite imagery, the implications of this technology are far-reaching. Were personal information integrated into such a map, simply double-clicking on a satellite image of an urban area could reveal precise details about the occupants of a particular house. The "Open Skies"[12] policy accepted worldwide means that there are few restrictions of the use of the technology.[13]
Despite these advances, private companies have a distance to go before they catch up with governments. Experts estimate that the current generation of secret spy satellites, such as the Ikon/Keyhole-12, can recognize objects as small as ten centimeters (approximately four inches) across and some analysts say that it can image a license plate.[14] The airplane manufacturer Boeing is currently fulfilling a 10-year contract with the United States government for a Future Imagery Architecture (FIA) to replace the KH satellites and the ground infrastructure.[15] The FIA is based on a constellation of new satellites that are smaller, less expensive, and placed in orbit to allow for real-time surveillance of battlefields and other targets.
Government use of satellites is extensive, ranging from homeland security operations to agricultural analysis. For example, the United Nations (UN) Office on Drugs and Crime uses IKONOS imagery to assess the illegal drug trade in Afghanistan, Laos, Myanmar, and Bolivia.[16] By analyzing satellite images, the UN is able to assess the level of production of illicit crops such as heroin and cocaine, and estimate the portion of the drug trade attributable to these nations.
Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, the US National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) began focusing its observation internally rather than abroad. Prior to the attacks, domestic US satellite surveillance most often involved natural disaster relief. Although laws limit the use of intelligence resources to issues of national security, the NGA admits to the existence of gray areas in which aiding the FBI in criminal investigations is common practice.[17] In 2004, the NGA signed a sharing agreement with the National Security Administration that allows "horizontal integration" between the two agencies, defined as "working together from start to finish, using NGA's 'eyes' and NSA 'ears’.” Using a combination of wiretap surveillance and satellite imagery obtained from unmanned aerial vehicles, intelligence analysts have tracked suspected terrorists or insurgents in Iraq in real time.[18]
I know I have posted this email a few times before, but from all the correspondence I have seen from LP, this just has to be the most incredibly damning about the Paynes, David in particular. If Fiona says her and Kate returned to the Mcs apt at 7 and Gerry was supposedly playing tennis who was looking after the children?? The husband returned? He is most definitely implying the Paynes do not wish to contradict earlier lies they have told to the PJ.
Processos Volume XIII, Pages 3909-3915
To: Ricard Paiva
From: DC 1756 Mike MARSHALL
Ref: David Payne
Date: October 24, 2007
Leicester Police Constabulary
Ricardo,
As requested, appended are the statements of Arul and Katherina Gaspar.
I read with curiosity the written statements given by David Payne but was not able to extricate any other information besides what is already known. He declares that he saw Madeleine, for the last time, at 17H00 on 3/5/07 in the McCann apartment. Also present there were Kate and Gerry. He did not indicate the motive for being there or what he was doing. He also cannot indicate how long he stayed.
When asked with whom he was on the afternoon of May 3rd, he declares that this information was already offered to the police and cannot remember if anyone else was there.
He does not remember what he was wearing that afternoon.
He took part in the searches, having carried out most of them alone. He was at times accompanied by Matthew Oldfield.
He did not partake in the searches carried out on the 4th of May, because, on this day, he spent to majority of time in the police headquarters.
For many questions, he does not give a complete response, affirming simply that he has already given this information to the Portuguese police in his declarations.
I examined once again the declarations of Fiona Payne. In her statements, she states that she went to the McCann apartment, around 19H00, on the 3rd of May, together with Kate. She states afterwards that, 10 minutes later, the husband arrived; it is not clear which husband she refers to.
Her responses to the questions are vague. She continued to respond to questions with "they conform with my earlier statement" or some similar statement
Taken in the context of sending the Gaspar statements this seems to be a very clear implication that David is suspected of sexually abusing Madeleine and both he and Fiona are vague, his statements in the plural where are all these statements. Ines on Maddie case files points out that 12000 pages are missing from the files, including of course details of sex offending/ers
I know a lot of those are checks on paedos who were in the area, (David aside) and have been excluded but Kate's 10 May statement missing too.. was that about where she was in between 5 and 7/ was she off somewhere with Fiona leaving Payne in charge of Kate's children, little Maddie?
Webster would have been looking after Payne's children, did Kate and Fiona go off for a run?
If there is one thing that sex offenders are really good at it is saying oh don't worry I will look after the kids for you and get them ready for bed etc.
The Gaspars statement clearly includes Gerry in that conversation and why else would Kate and Gerry cover up what David Payne was doing?
I think it is odd that RP is back on the most terrible fest of calling anti McCanns paedophiles in the most incredibly abusive and aggressive way.
Why was Gerry McCann initially saying he sent David Payne at about 6.30 which we can see was a lie to see if Kate needed any help with the kids?
Why does David bring it back to 5 pm before Kate and Gerry even gt her from the creche?
I just feel sure that him being around Maddie in that timescale is being covered up.
Poor little Maddie, what did they do with her?
There was a couple, whose names were Dave and Fiona, and whose family name was PAYNE, I think. I believe that they were married and had one daughter, 1 year old, called Lilly. I remember that on these holidays, Fiona was pregnant.
There was another couple, whose names were Tara and Stuart, and whose family name I cannot remember who were also on holiday with us. They had two boys, 1 and 3 years old, whose names I do not remember. I did not know these two families until the holidays together. As I recall, I think that David organised the holidays and we all stayed together in a big house in Mallorca.
We spend a week on holidays, however, the McCANN family, and the PAYNE family stayed for two weeks. I think that Tara and Stuart, and their two children, also stayed for only one week.
Two or three days passed in Mallorca where we relaxed (Page 3) with our children. Possibly around the fourth or fifth day abroad, I remember an incident that stayed with me. I tell this in this way, and afterwards I have thought many times about the incident that I am about to describe.
One night, on holidays, the adults—the couple aforementioned—were on a patio on the side of the house were we lodged. We had been eating and drinking.
I was seated between David and Gerry who were both speaking about Madeleine. I don’t remember the conversation in its entirety, but id did appear they were discussing a possible scenario. I remember David telling Gerry something like “she” (referring to Madeleine) “would she do this”.
Upon mentioning “this”, David was sucking on one of his fingers, pushing it inside and outside his mouth, and with the other hand encircled his breast in a gyrating fashion over his shirt. This was done in a provocative manner and carried an explicit insinuation in relation to what he was doing.
I remember that I was shocked at this, and looked at Gerry, and also at Dave, to gauge their reactions. I looked around (page 4) as is saying “did someone else hear that, or was it just me”. Silence registered in all the conversations and after, we all began conversing again.
I never spoke to anyone about this, but always felt that it was very strange and not something that should be discussed or said.
Besides this, I remember that David once again did the same thing. When I refer to this, I want to clarify that it was during a conversation in which he was talking about an imaginary situation. I do not know of what. I believe that he was talking about his own daughter, Lily, although I cannot be certain. He put one of his fingers in his mouth and slide it in and out, and with the other hand, drew a circle around his breast in a sexually provocative way. I believe that he was referring to what Lily would do.
I believe that he did this later, during the holidays, but I cannot be sure. The last time, besides this, when I was with David and Fiona was several weeks after the holidays, when Savio and I were at a restaurant with Gerry, Kate, Dave and Fiona.
I am certain that he said or that he repeated the same gestures aforementioned, but it could have occurred in a restaurant in Leicester, however (page five) I believe that it was later in Mallorca. When I heard Dave asking is “she did this” a second time, I took it more seriously.
I remember questioning whether looked at my children or the others in a different way. I imagined that he maybe visited Internet sites related to small children. I thought that he may be interested in child pornography on the Internet.
During our holidays I was more attentive at bath time after hearing Dave saying this.
During our vacation in Mallorca, it was the parents who bathed the children. I had the tendency to walk close to the bathroom, if David was bathing his children. I remember telling Savio to be careful when he was there, in case Dave was helping bathe the children and, in particular, my daughter Ellena. I was very clear about this, as having heard him disturbed me, and did not trust him bathing Ellena alone.
When I heard Dave say that a second time, this reinforced what I already though in relation to his thoughts about little girls. During our stay in Mallorca, Dave and his wife, Fiona, accompanied by this daughter Lilly, took Madeleine (page 6) with them to sped the day together, and to give Kate and Gerry a bit of rest with the twins. At stating this, it is not that I was reoccupied with Madeleine’s safety, as she was also with Fiona and Lilly, along with Dave.
As already referred to, I was only with Dave and Fiona on one occasion, after Mallorca. And I have not spoken to them since this time. In these last years, we have seen eachother, along with the McCANNS, on occasion. These occasions coincide with the children’s birthdays—a time when we get together.
The first time I hear the terrible news regarding the disappearance of Madeleine from the radio, my thoughts went immediately to Dave. I asked Savio if Dave was also on holidays with the McCANNs in Portugal but he did not know.
I watched TV to catch the overage of the notices and found that Dave was there. I saw him on television in the first days after the disappearance. At that, I believed that he was on holidays with the McCANNs in Portugal. Today, Thursday, the 16th of May, 2007, at 15H40, I gave DC Brewer a page containing 2 photographic images. I am going to reference these images as (ref KZG/1) (probably element) that may (page seven) be presented with my approval, if necessary. These photographs were taken during out holidays in Mallorca. In the photographs, Dave is wearing a white t-shirt and the woman in the photograph is his wife Fiona. The man that is holding the cup of wine in the photograph is Stuart. These photographs were taken whilst we were in Mallorca.
Paedophiles do anything to get near young children, offer to babysit, arrange group holidays where they are all nice and together, always the arranger, David Payne.
what is it about David Payne, that DC Marshall refers to when he says "we already know"?
Why is it that the McCanns have sued and threatened to sue people for saying they killed Madeleine, but never refer to other suggestions about sexual abuse. Why is it the Paynes never complain at all concerning this? How did they have the nerve to stand on the steps of the High Court even though not specifically referring to such serious allegations against them?
Of course you cannot sue for what is contained in a police witness statement, but if those allegations were not true David Payne could certainly threaten to sue people for repeating it. He never says a word.
by João Mira Godinho/Paulo Marcelino
The satellite images of Praia da Luz, on the night of the 3rd of May 2007, were one of the PJ’s first concerns when the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann started. Nonetheless, at that time, the North American authorities informed that they did not exist because the satellites had been deviated that night.
‘It was said that the two geostationary satellites [which could have images of Praia da Luz] were rotated towards the Gulf of Cadiz, where a navy exercise was taking place’, Gonçalo Amaral, the former PJ coordinator who led the case investigation, explains to Correio da Manhã.
‘It was a very serious possibility for learning who the abductor was, and more’, says Gonçalo Amaral, adding that the Judiciária wanted the images from the moment of the disappearance, but also ‘those of the hours and even days that preceded it’.
Confronted with the information that the satellites had been deviated, the PJ ended up making no formal request. ‘I have doubts that anyone else tried to access those images’, says the former PJ coordinator, questioning the reason why ‘the McCann couple, that says it is powerful, never tried to obtain the images in order to solve the mysterious disappearance’.
Contacted by Correio da Manhã yesterday, Clarence Mitchell, Kate and Gerry McCann’s spokesperson, justified that ‘the images that existed two years ago were useless’. He states that ‘if there were images, the abductor would have been caught a long time ago’ and denies any recent request from the British authorities to obtain the registers.
‘As far as we know, no diplomatic effort in that sense is being made’, the McCanns’ spokesperson asserted.
The British authorities yesterday denied that they were making any diplomatic contact in order to obtain the North American satellites’ registers.
Details
Murat sues | Robert Murat has taken the witness that pointed him out for sexually devious acts, in the Maddie process, to court.
Investigation | Clarence says that the hired private detectives continue to follow ‘strong leads’.
source: Correio da Manhã, 20.10.2009
the images that existed two years ago were useless?? How the heck does he know that, I think the Pink Ludicrous One sounds just a little rattled.
As we can see from the article above, satellite images can come from many different sources. You can even buy them, not that Kate and Gerry would have thought that was a good way to find Maddie of course or spend the Find Maddie Fund. What a waste when they know what they did with her, eh!
Morning viv,
You say: “Maybe we need to be asking ourselves the questions did Jacqui Smith impede the course of justice in the Maddie case, and if so, why did she do that?”
If Smith did impede things it could only have been under orders from the Supreme Leader Comrade Brown.
I not believe the satellite will be able to produce photographic evidence of the night in question. However if I were the McCanns I would be very worried on the small percentage chance the satellite could.
If these photographs were available it could get the Mc’s off the hook if their story is correct. The quiet from Rothely clearly indicates nervous silence to me.
“I examined once again the declarations of Fiona Payne. In her statements, she states that she went to the McCann apartment, around 19H00, on the 3rd of May, together with Kate. She states afterwards that, 10 minutes later, the husband arrived; it is not clear which husband she refers to.”
Viv - I have never heard the above statement before are you sure it was 7.00pm on 3rd May?
Payne says he called at apartment 5A 3rd May to check on Kate at GM’s request 6.30pm – GM was at the tennis courts.
But Payne’s statement tells us that Gerry was at the apartment and the time changes to 5.00pm when according to other evidence Madeleine was still at the nursery?
“He declares that he saw Madeleine, for the last time, at 17H00 on 3/5/07 in the McCann apartment. Also present there were Kate and Gerry. He did not indicate the motive for being there or what he was doing. He also cannot indicate how long he stayed.”
I’m now totally confused.
Satellites deviated on the night of the crime by João Mira Godinho/Paulo Marcelino 20.10,09
The satellite images of Praia da Luz, on the night of the 3rd of May 2007, were one of the PJ’s first concerns when the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann started. Nonetheless, at that time, the North American authorities informed that they did not exist because the satellites had been deviated that night.
‘It was said that the two geostationary satellites [which could have images of Praia da Luz] were rotated towards the Gulf of Cadiz, where a navy exercise was taking place’, Gonçalo Amaral, the former PJ coordinator who led the case investigation, explains to Correio da Manhã.
‘It was a very serious possibility for learning who the abductor was, and more’, says Gonçalo Amaral, adding that the Judiciária wanted the images from the moment of the disappearance, but also ‘those of the hours and even days that preceded it’.
Confronted with the information that the satellites had been deviated, the PJ ended up making no formal request. ‘I have doubts that anyone else tried to access those images’, says the former PJ coordinator, questioning the reason why ‘the McCann couple, that says it is powerful, never tried to obtain the images in order to solve the mysterious disappearance’.
Contacted by Correio da Manhã yesterday, Clarence Mitchell, Kate and Gerry McCann’s spokesperson, justified that ‘the images that existed two years ago were useless’. He states that ‘if there were images, the abductor would have been caught a long time ago’ and denies any recent request from the British authorities to obtain the registers.
‘As far as we know, no diplomatic effort in that sense is being made’, the McCanns’ spokesperson asserted.
The British authorities yesterday denied that they were making any diplomatic contact in order to obtain the North American satellites’ registers.
Courtesy of JM
Hi Wiz
I do not know the level of autonomy a Home Secretary would have to carry out the job without interference from the PM, but given the very high rank of that role, I would have thought the level of autonomy was high.
I have never trusted Jacqui Smith, I saw prevarication in co-operating with the Pt authorities and her conduct in relation to claiming expenses, particularly when on such a high salary anyway, completely vindicates my view of her. We all know that in relation to any normal job, fiddling expenses is considered to be gross misconduct leading to instant dismissal and employers quite often even bring in the police in serious cases.
Against that background of someone who clearly will take money in very dishonest circumstances, I just wonder about Clarence Mitchell and what he was prepared to do for Kate and Gerry McCann.
I still do not believe Gordon Brown would personally have engaged in any deliberate and seriously dishonest conduct in relation to this matter. But it is a difficult situation for him politically, because it calls into question his judgment in so openly supporting the McCanns at the outset. Pure common sense would have told him from day one they were suspects. I do take some comfort from the fact that once the situation was clear both he and the Foreign Secretary refused to have any further contact with the McCanns at all. In fact Milliband was appointed and never had any contact at all.
I still think it is very possible, particularly given all the reading I have been doing, that there may well be satellite images available from a number of different sources, not just the American government, but other organisations who commercially sell these images. But getting that information would undoubtedly be very, very expensive.
I think that resolving the case of Maddie would be worth the costs involved and remain cautiously optimistic that GB would both lobby Obama and that the new Home Secretary would be prepared to authorise the necessary expenditure for this, if it is considered viable. I think that politically GB is likely to distance himself somewhat from the decision making processes involved, but at the end of the day would not hesitate to take the credit in terms of the effect on the next election.
My optimism could be misplaced but I do think the technology and information gathering most definitely takes place and was doing in May 2007.
Goncalo Amaral's new comments seem to confirm that in his own mind those images are available, and that of course the PJ wanted to look at images prior to the abduction (note his use of that word here).
I do not believe he is suggesting that was any stranger abduction though and believe he means he wanted to see precisely what was happening with this group of doctors and their apparent child care arrangements.
I think Goncalo would very much have in mind the fact that Gerry received 14 sms messages prior to the disappearance on 2 May and another 4 the day after. To me that most certainly suggests arranging an abduction, particularly given he deleted those messages and via Clarence Mitchell sought to deny that he even received them. The fact of him receiving them is recorded in the judgment of the appeal court in Evora.
DC Marshall is clear that Payne is refusing to say where he was and indicating he was only present with Maddie when both Kate and Gerry were there at 5 pm, as we know that is not possible because Maddie had not even come from the nursery at that stage.
Gerry originally said Payne went to the apartment at 6.30 that is also clearly a lie and a coverup.
Fiona says that she and Kate returned to the apartment at 7 and the husband arrived 10 minutes after that. That also seems to be an attempt to put Payne somewhere else.
My intepretation of all of this is that Payne was in that apartment, quite probably left to look after the McCanns children and he did something to little Maddie.
Given that Kate, Gerry and Fiona are all intent on covering this up rather than admitting what Payne has done indicates to me that Mrs Gaspar is right about Gerry being of the same nature. Paedophiles are known to enjoy erotic fantasies about lewd acts with children, that is exactly what they were doing.
No wonder Paulo Rebelo wanted them to come along an re-enact all of these contradictory lies, and when he started to talk a bit tougher in terms of enforcing their attendance, they got legal advice and said they were not going.
Russell O'Brien wrote the most blatant email to LP, I think Stu Prior, attempting to insist that they would only go, if it was publically stated by the PJ they were not under any suspicion!
That is the kind of manipulative behaviour I would expect to see from a desperate criminal.
If he knew he was innocent he would have no need of such conduct or any fear of returning for the re-enactment.
Hi all
I agree Viv, it does look as if Fiona is covering for David. If we can see all these discrepancies how come the PJ and LP don't.
I have just been reading Joanna Morais regarding Martin Brunt phoning LP and being given the brush off. It is worth a read, I cannot decide whether they are fobbing him off because they are investigating, and it must be kept under wraps, or whether they are actually telling the truth.
No matter which, their phone manner is appalling.
Hiya Di
Oh bliss I have just agreed prices etc to get some more work done on the house whilst I am away enjoying myself again!
I think LP and the PJ would certainly see those discrepancies, in fact the email of DC Marshall makes plain he sees them, but that is not enough to charge them. of course if they had gone for the reconstruction then I think they may well have been getting a lot closer to charges but they were clearly having none of that!
I have been reading an employment tribunal case where Martin Brunt was involved in victimisation of a Mr Shoebridge who used to work for Sky reporting on police matters in his capacity as an ex police officer.
Mr Shoebridge sued the Met for sex discrimination in the way they pursued him in relation to allegations by females and he agreed a settlement with them of £300,000 for loss of his career and pension which I actually think was on the low side but he did the case himself so it was a good result. But then when he started to work for TV and media the Met got the knife in and spoke to Brunt who passed those concerns on to a senior at Sky and he lost the work, so he got another £52,000 for post termination victimisation. I am not saying Brunt was particularly acting badly in passing that information on, but he does seem to be a bit odd somehow!
I think any reporter phoning LP on this case would most definitely get the brush off! but will go and have a look at Joana's article which sounds very interesting.
Oh lol Di, one got hysterical when asked about the Maddie case!
I do think that is the standard response, it is a matter for the PJ and a disingenuous brush off intended to do precisely that.
It would only be a lead case for the PJ if Maddie was abducted by a stranger. LP are clearly never going to admit they are actively investigating the McCanns due to the pressure and prejudice they would suffer if they did so. I think the answer to the petition gets a little closer to the reality, but they are going to prevaricate to protect the McCanns from adversity whilst they continue to be no more than police suspects still under investigation.
Hello All
Just been reading back and I cant work out why Gery and Kate are not up in arms about all the rumours about the sexual abuse of thier child???
If my child were missing it would upset me that people did not belive me but if they started to say I had abused my own child and had allowed her to be abused by my friends I would think the people sugesting it were sick in the head. Yet we have a statement from a one time friend saying something was not right and the pink ponce has not tried to spin this to the McCann's advantage?
Would not be so strange if he did not try to spin everything else their way even the fact they are child neglectors is celebrated by him???
As for the satalite images you would think Kate and Gerry would be on TV all the time saying there is information out there that could find their child and screaming no one will help them get it..... The silence speaks volumes IMHO....
Hiya Hope
I think you flag up the really serious negatives for the McCanns in employing a media spinner to defend them and put the best possible slant on things.
Given there is never any attempt to even address the issue of a one time friend clearly stating that Gerry and Payne were discussing lewd sexual fantasies about Madeleine and given there is no attempt at all to insist that satellite imaging is used to find out what happened to Madeleine it does paint an extremely bleak picture for Kate and Gerry. It also clearly explains why LP do have continuing involvement in this case and are simply not prepared to discuss it, because they are not allowed to, it involves potentially sexual abuse of a child, who may still be alive.
Hi Hope
Just a simple, please keep the investigation open, would have been enough for me.
Off topic but have to say, I am very disappointed that Jaycee's family have sold out to OK. I had hoped that after everything that went on they would prefer to be more private, I know I would want to be.
The family needs time to get to know one another again, not to be the focus of a magazine story, imo. However money talks.
hiya Di
I suppose just pure privacy straight away would be lovely, but what they need probably does take a lot of money, so in a way, I do not blame them for cashing in first to get some. Then hopefully they will have a better chance of rebuilding their lives in privacy and trying to recover. Sometimes also victims do want their story to be told and can be a way of getting justice and lifting the burden from the shoulders that have had to bear such awful trauma for so many years.
Everton fans in Madeleine McCann T-shirt campaign
International campaign launched "re-energise" search for missing Maddie
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
An international campaign has been launched to "re-energise" the search for missing Madeleine McCann.
Everton Football Club moved to highlight the cause as the team travels to Portugal - where the youngster vanished two years ago while on a family holiday in Praia de Luz.
The Premier League club face Benfica on Thursday in a Europa League match and have commissioned 6,000 t-shirts they want fans to wear bearing the message "We're Still Looking For You".
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Three thousand shirts bear the message in English with the other half in Portuguese.
One of the first images released by Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry, in the wake of their daughter's disappearance 29 months ago showed the then four-year-old proudly wearing an Everton shirt.
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright said: "I will never, ever forget that image of a beautiful, smiling child in an Everton shirt.
"I believe that I was one of the first people outside the family to see it and it moved me greatly. In truth, like everyone else, I have felt nothing but deep sadness and mounting frustration as the search for Maddie has continued.
"However, I continue to be inspired by the dignity and the faith which Kate and Gerry have displayed throughout their dreadful ordeal.
"This is just our way of reminding people - not just in the UK and Portugal but across the globe - that this child is still out there somewhere.
"If we can, perhaps, jog someone's memory or breathe a little fresh life into the hunt for her then it will have been worth it.
"I know our supporters will wear these t-shirts with pride on Thursday night."
Club manager David Moyes added: "My heart went out to Madeleine's family when this awful tragedy occurred - and it still does.
"It is absolutely vital that the hunt for this lovely little girl continues. People do sometimes forget that football managers and footballers are also dads - family comes first.
"Everyone connected with Everton Football Club simply wishes to see Madeleine reunited with her family."
Travellers to Lisbon wishing to show their support can collect a t-shirt from Goodison Park today and tomorrow and from Liverpool Airport by showing a match ticket or travel documents.
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?Everton_fans_in_Madeleine_McCann_T-shirt_campaign&in_article_id=754932&in_page_id=34
good publicity for the McCanns these days seems hard won, I am sure they must consider this a real cous.
this smacks of desperation to me...
the photo of Madeleine when she was younger than when abducted is no good if they had used the aged progressed one at least there may be a chance for her to be found?
then again like every other campaign this is more about the fund and looking innocent than it is about finding their missing child.
If I was going to that match I would be wearing a T Shirt with a picture of them laughing on Madleines birthday on the front and on the back would be 4 simple questions...
Why were they laughing on Madeleines 4th Birthday 9 days after they said she had been snatched by a peadophile ring?
Why wont Kate answer a single simple question for her child?
Why the pact of silence and refusal of 7 friends to do a reconstruction that can only help the police?
Why are you all wearing old pictures of Madeleine when an aged progressed one would show what she looked like nearly 3 years later?
Hiya Hope
I would love to see you and maybe many of us turn up in some more appropriate t shirts as you suggest.
I actually find this comment rather worrying:
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright said: "I will never, ever forget that image of a beautiful, smiling child in an Everton shirt.
"I believe that I was one of the first people outside the family to see it and it moved me greatly.
Firstly that word beautiful again, from a football chairman. It just seems odd that they think this is an appropriate way to describe her. If it was a patently ugly child would that mean less effort should be made? And is this not a more appropriate way to describe an attractive adult rather than a little girl. I just wonder, Kennedy is a chairman of a big rugby club. I am sure they are all wealthy sporty mates together.
But even worse, why or how could he have been one of the first people to see this pic outside the family. Was Gerry passing it around to wealth fund raisers before he thought about passing it around the world to try and recover his daughter? It is a bit like the so called last pic, strange it took him three weeks to go home and get it. There is a cold hearted kind of deliberate and despicable way of behaving that emanates from Gerry McCann. And yes, it is like, the huge joke on her birthday, what normal parent could possibly have behaved in that way, as £260 per hour started to role in, as we know he had "dreams and visions" of far more than that! It was estimated he would make £10M from Maddie the Movie and the book. I have always thought that flashing that image up on the big screen at Everton was only done with one purpose in mind, to con and to cop.
and then there was that horrible red dress and makeup pic, aged two, clearly Gerry's absolute favourite stuck up on a massive hoarding, Marble Arch London. Of course she disappeared from PDL and looked absolutely nothing like that posed and painted little image.
Hi All,
I’ve just been reading an article on JM by Pat Brown. It’s very interesting to have the logic of why we should suspect the McCanns of involvement in their daughter’s disappearance spelt out so clearly.
Brown analyses 4 cases Madeleine’s being one – I’ve extracted the info on the McCann case from the article - the full article can be viewed on JM.
By Pat Brown, Criminal Profiler - How to Become a Suspect 101
“Red flags -- certain behaviours or traits of a person or the circumstances surrounding them, are just that: indicators that the person should be looked at more carefully as a potential suspect in a crime, but not considered guilty unless other evidence supports the accusation and the accusation is proven in court.
Four cases come to mind as examples in this class of How to Become a Suspect 101: The Quantico Marine case of 1983, the bizarre Madeline McCann case, the Haleigh Cummings saga, and the recent Balloon Boy case.
Maddy McCann supposedly was taken while her parents left the child alone with her younger siblings and went off drinking at the resort restaurant.
In all these cases, particular individuals are now linked with each crime. These persons-of-interest could have been involved.
The McCanns were the last people to be with their daughter before they supposedly left her unattended and available to be taken from their room at the resort. No one has a particularly good alibi.
The McCanns left their three children alone in a hotel room so the couple could have fun. Automatically this awakens suspicious of what else they would do, such as give the kids prescription medicine (both parents are physicians) to make them sleep while the parents were away.
The McCanns never showed remorse for leaving their children unattended. They dressed nicely every day and continued normal routines such as jogging. Kate McCann said she never had problems sleeping after Maddy "was taken."
The McCanns have not been charged with any crimes, yet no evidence points to abduction by a stranger. Because the parents have no alibis and their behaviour is questionable, both in the past and after the crime, they remain suspects to some degree. So until evidence shows up to convict them or someone else, we will have to continue to wonder about their guilt.
I don't have a problem with the Heenes, the McCanns, or Misty Croslin and Ronald Cummings being suspects; they should be. However, the investigation of Lindsey Scott should have been downplayed until there was more evidence that made him look a whole lot worse. Of course, none should be convicted without substantial evidence proving that they, and only they, could have committed the crime.
Some say the possible involvement of these people shouldn't even be discussed, because we are in effect convicting them without a trial in the court of public opinion. This is ridiculous; we can't convict someone with an opinion or a speculation. Of course, we must be careful not to slander or libel someone by making claims about the person (creating "facts" that do not exist based on guesswork) or stating they are guilty instead of hypothesizing that they might be guilty. People are responsible for their behaviour, and it's not illegal for someone to discuss it in public, (even if it is somewhat gossipy). We all make choices in our lives, and our choices follow us. If they lead the public and the police into suspecting we are involved in a crime, we are responsible.”
Hi Wizard
What an excellent article thanks for posting. I think Pat sums up everything extremely well.
I particularly like the last sentence, and Pat is right, the McCanns definitely brought suspicion on themselves and their friends by their behaviour, is it any wonder many think they are involved.
What a well written piece by astro
link
Posted by Jon Maddie case files.
Exclusivo Expresso Exclusive Express
The Lisbon Civil Court ordered the seizure of all profits from the sale of the book "Maddie, the truth of the lie," the former PJ inspector Gonçalo Amaral, following a lawsuit by the parents of British girl who disappeared in May 2007 in the Algarve. Clique para visitar o dossiê Desaparecimento de Madeleine McCann. Click to visit the dossier Disappearance of Madeleine McCann. Ricardo Marques (www.expresso.pt)
http://translate.google.co.uk/translate ... n%26sa%3DG
Continued
Notifications of court procedure on this measure has followed for Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France, where the work was translated and published.
Gonçalo Amaral, the inspector who conducted the investigation in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, in 2007, was dismissed from the case following statements to the media.
The investigation of the disappearance of British girl of 3 years, in Praia da Luz, was filed on 21 June 2008.
In September, by order of Civil Court, the book had already been withdrawn from bookstores.
The book "Maddie, the truth of lies" was published in July 2008, published by War & Peace, and within two months had 12 editions of 10 thousand copies each.
Viv
Does this mean all profits no matter where the book has been published?
Posted by astro
While not diminishing their reporting in any manner, obviously, it should be reminded that the lawyer who is representing the McCanns in their action against freedom of opinion is a lawyer that is employed by Expresso, the pro-McCann newspaper whose otherwise rather circumspect director once stated that he would 'lose faith in humanity' if the McCanns were guilty of anything. A mere coincidence that surely has nothing to do with, well, with anything, really.
Goncalo's statement.
It may be written in every law that a citizen is free to think and to express his thoughts, but that will become completely worthless if it can be targeted by censorship in the case it expresses an opinion that is contrary to the status quo, to the interests of the dominant caste or to who simply has money.
The confrontation of responsible theses about objective facts should take place in the open field of democratic debate and not through recourse to courts and to juridical coercion. And yet, as is publicly known, a Portuguese court has immortalised the book “The Truth about the Lie” by deciding what cannot be opinionated and expressed in Portugal about the disappearance of Madeleine Beth McCann, by censoring a thesis that is based on logical reasoning about concrete facts and material evidence that are part of a criminal process and that never intended to diffuse, to the public, in a gratuitous and irresponsible manner, the notion that a third party holds any kind of responsibility in the disappearance of little Madeleine.
Even more serious. Having already been notified about the preventive arrest of his credits, the signatory fears that he may be prevented from defending his reasons in court, due to the very high monetary cost that the judicial action that has been filed against him by Gerry and Kate McCann impose to him, in terms of lawyers’ expenses and millionaire judicial costs, of which apparently only the indigent are exempt.
Whereupon follows that, at the moment, the signatory is not only deprived of his elementary right to freedom of expression, as he also faces constraints relating to his own defence, which cannot bem designed but under the shadow of the expression of forbidden ideas and convictions, and in exchange for absolutely insufferable pecuniary amounts.
Thus the truth about the disappearance of Madeleine is at risk of being decided in the office. This is how we live in Portugal, as far as freedom and democracy are concerned.
GONÇALO AMARAL
This is appalling – how on earth can the courts seize money made from the publication of Amaral’s book thus denying him the finance to fund the legal expenses he needs to defend the McCann action when both sides of the argument have not been heard in court let alone proved.
If I remember correctly it was his publishers who were objecting to the McCann’s case and presumably it would be them that foot the legal bill. If they believe their case is strong they would presumably still defend it. So perhaps all is not lost.
The McCanns are showing themselves for what they are money grabbers. This action ensures that Amaral does not use the money they want from him to fight his case or stash it away in a Swiss Bank account that Portuguese courts have no jurisdiction over.
Very clever but too sharp by half it will not be long imo before they cut themselves.
Hi Wizard
I have been looking around whilst oh watching footy.
I saw somewhere that the Publishers are perhaps going bankrupt, or filing for bankrupcy, but now cannot find where I was. Sorry.
Wizard
What I will say is Kate & Gerry have perhaps made a huge mistake with this move. Portuguese posters are up in arms, and who can blame them.
Hiya all
I think it is simplistic to suggest that there are only two options as to what happened to Madeleine, she was abducted by a stranger, or she died at hands of her parents.
Particularly given the lack of evidence to support either of those scenarios.
There is evidence to suggest that Maddie was the subject of abuse, for example the Gaspars and Kate McCann's own statement that Maddie was left alone to cry and when she complained about it was left alone again. No one forced Kate to go on TV to say that, so what could be so serious that she is prepared to do so and considers that a worthwhile thing to do? From whose point of view? Everything there suggests serious child abuse. The Portuguese Police asked Kate a question that she refused to answer, and were you considering transferring custody of Madeleine to a relative. Clearly custody of Madeleine has been transferred to someone and Kate refused to answer that question even though acknowledging that would impede the investigation into the disappearance of her daughter.
So finding out what happened to Madeleine is something that Kate, on her own admission does not want to happen. Kate, on her own admission, subjected Madeleine to child abuse.
The public do have the right to look at all of this and express their own opinion on why they think the McCanns are guilty or innocent or what they think they did with Madeleine.
But when it comes down to a former senior investigating officer in the case, positively asserting that Madeleine died and they disposed of the body, I think that is another matter. It should not have happened. It is Goncalo's own view that is not backed by the evidence, quite obviously, otherwise they would have been held and charged. So it is libel to assert that is what they did as a fact. That is the crucial difference, we can say what we think so long as we do not seek to insist those are the facts.
Di, I do believe that Portugal has the legal authority to control the conduct of one of its own citizens. When they see him profiting from asserting something as a fact, which he plainly should not be doing, they have the right to stop him from profiting from that, no matter where in the world the profits to him come from.
Great care needs to be taken as to what we do assert are the facts. I can say Kate went on TV and said that because it is a provable fact. I can say that Mrs Gaspar made that statement, that is what she witnessed, again, that is a fact.
I can say the dogs alerted in the McCanns apartment, that is a fact. But I cannot say that proves Madeleine is dead, that is where people just go too far. Particularly given that in Jersey, Eddie repeatedly alerted but there is no evidence of any murders or bodies being there. There was a huge amount of witness evidence that children were seriously sexually abused there, that is where the investigation should have focussed, on what victims were actually telling them. Had that happened in Jersey instead of wasting millions on what did not happen, we may have seen something much closer to justice for victims of sexual abuse. The real issues can be clouded and victims suffer because of it, we should take care that is not what happens to those who insist they want justice for Madeleine.
I have seen UEFA have restricted the use of large screen usage to promote the disappearance of MBM and also restricted the wearing of t-shirts.
Because of defamation/libel laws the McCanns are able to sell their thesis of a stranger abduction world wide but the law prevents anyone else’s thesis to be aired that differs from theirs.
This can’t be right as there is no evidence to support their claims and they must surely still be the main suspects.
I forgot to mention in my previous post the UEFA decision relates to Everton's football match in Portugal tonight.
hiya Wiz
I am pleased to hear about the restrictions on the McCanns planned further campaign in Portugal. I think it is sensible on the basis it is likely to cause civil unrest.
Unfortunately I think Goncalo went beyond a thesis, he insisted that Maddie is dead and by doing so played into the hands of Team McCann. He used to insist that he wanted to get them in court, now he says they have taken all of his money off him to do so.
If you are going to use the law you have to make sure you are strictly within it, that is a sad reality as Tony Bennett also found out.
No one is barred from saying they think Maddie died Wiz, that is why I allow those sentiments to be expressed on here. It is a perfectly reasonable feeling for people to have and it is not libel, so long as they do not insist it is a fact.
Something terrible happened to little Madeleine and she is plainly not safe and well, and the McCanns are responsible for that, in the very least that they failed in their duty of care to love and protect her or on their account even lock the door. Those are the facts and no one can be prosecuted for saying that.
Oh….the class system in operation in Britain today is breathtaking when it comes to dishing out punishment for negligent behaviour towards children.
The Daily Express, today, report on one hapless lone parent of four who chose to go out drinking with her mates rather than look after her children.
The children were distressed but all were present when the police arrived. The children are now in care and the mother is charged with 4 cases of child neglect.
This woman was obviously very wrong in what she did but if she was a doctor would her behaviour have been OK – of course not – ops…..I forgot the 2 sainted Rothely doctors.
Friiday October 23,2009
By Daily Express Reporter
Have your say(2)
A WOMAN who left her four young children home alone so she could go on a 24-hour drinking binge was branded one of Britain’s worst mothers yesterday.
The 22-year-old downed a full bottle of wine before hitting town-centre bars and house parties.
The alarm was raised when one of the children was spotted leaning out of the window sobbing: “Where’s Mummy?’’
A worried relative who broke into the house found a one-year-old boy in his cot soaked in urine in a bedroom on his own.
A three-year-old girl had managed to dress and a four-year-old girl had tried to mix a feed for the youngest, a three month-old baby crying with hunger. All four are now in care.
Police later arrived at the property in Blackburn, Lancs, to find it littered with empty beer cans and bottles, Preston Crown Court heard.
The mother, who cannot be named, now faces jail after admitting four charges of child neglect. The case was adjourned for reports.
Hiya Wiz
That is the most appalling case of child neglect, leaving them for 24 hours and the four year old trying to mix a feed for the starving 3 month old baby.
She is very lucky that none of the children were dead or seriously injured and deserves a custodial sentence. I cannot imagine that would change if it had been a doctor they found had behaved in that way in UK, her kids would have been removed by SSD and she would have been prosecuted by the police give how serious the behaviour was.
On the facts of the McCanns case the neglect was far less serious but they are being investigated for something much more serious still for which they can be prosecuted in UK, either homicide or kidnap. They could not be prosecuted in UK for the neglect but I do think that even so the twins should have been removed by SSD which they certainly had the power to do.
I still believe that their admission of neglect is to cover something far more serious and it is accepted law that a prosecution must go ahead on the most serious charges.
Good morning viv & all
When i read about this negleting mother in UK news paper, i remenbered of G.Mccann speaking in Portuguese TV that to leave children alone was a cultural thing in UK.
My jaw fall down ...british children can be so independent in aged 3 and 2!!!our portugese children with this ag can't be leaft alone because they cry or do wrong things. It is perhaps we don't give them indepence!!!!!
That was the message the couple give tro portugese people.
Hiya Mandarinn
I think it is the dregs of British
Society that would leave tiny tots to fend for themselves and that includes Kate and Gerry McCann.
There are no excuses for their behaviour and seeking to suggest that suggest behaviour is a cultural thing in UK certainly did not win them any friends.
I have not met one English person who believes that they are innocent or what they did was blameless, it was disgusting, but more so given I think they did far worse than that, they caused Madeleine to just disappear, they ruined her life. That is more than unforgivable.
I do not know whether they killed Madeleine or whether they were involved in getting rid of her because she had been the victim of abuse by them and their friends, but either way I think they are the parents from hell, who even sought to excuse the most appalling neglect on TV. I just cannot get over Kate saying Maddie complained they had been crying and her shrugging off how she just went and left them again. I just do not know how she has the cheek to show her face outside her own home, let alone on TV. I would be just too deeply ashamed.
http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/findmadeleine.com
The McCanns site is not in the top 100,000, that must be why Gerry decided his blogging was a bit of a waste of time.
Looks like the online shop of tacky Maddy souvenirs/memorabilia must be a big disappointment to him also and hits are down 28 per cent in the last three months, do they actually believe their efforts in Portugal are going to revive their fortunes, their "innocence" or their popularity, were they ever "popular"? Seems like they struggle to even give their tacky t shirts away these days and EUFEA were not impressed, seems like the plotless Gerry must plot on and realise people do not like him or his bloody Kate and Gerry Show, here or in Portugal :
Percent of global Internet users who visit findmadeleine.com:
7 day avg 0.00056%
1 month avg 0.00044%
3 month avg 0.00048%
3 month change -28%
Lol - today's Daily Star
‘MAIL-ORDER MADDIE 'WAS SNATCHED BY CRIME LORD'
ABOVE: A drug baron claims Maddie was stolen to order
25th October 2009 - Daily Star - By Scott Hesketh
MADDIE McCann was a “mail-order kid” snatched by a scarfaced North African crime lord, acc-ording to explosive new claims revealed today.
Police are now hunting an Algerian mafia boss who allegedly bragged to British associates in Portugal just weeks after the child’s disappearance.
He told them he had snatched Madeleine in a £100,000 “steal-to- order” kidnap plot.
The Daily Star Sunday can reveal that police are set to quiz two jailed British gangsters believed to have heard his shock claims.
After a tip-off from underworld sources, detectives want to quiz Liverpool drug baron Paul Bennett, 45 – behind bars for perverting justice after going on the run for eight years in the Algarve.
They are also keen to talk to James Neil, 40, a business partner of Bennett and an associate of caged Notts drug baron Colin Gunn.
Both men and our source – who is also a top-level gangster – were running a lucrative entertainment protection racket in Portugal.
A shadowy Algerian, who went by the names Younis and Tariq and was staying in Albufeira, allegedly tried to muscle in with his Moroccan-based mob.
Our source, who was based just 15 minutes from the Praia da Luz resort from where two-year-old Maddie was abducted in May 2007, said: “This fella heard what Bennett was doing and wanted a slice.
“He was a nasty piece of work – a heavy-hitter drug dealer who also talked about mail-order kids.
“The kids were nicked to order – snatched and delivered to wealthy people for big cash payouts.
“Bennett and Jamie thought they could negotiate with this guy but he was just looking at them thinking that they were a couple of big, roast chickens and he was going to gobble the lot up.
“In one meeting, before Maddie vanished, the Algerian said he’d taken kids from other parts of Europe and sold them on to rich families in Morocco.
“After Maddie was gone, we had another business meeting and he just came right out with it and said he and his team had done Maddie.
“The Algerian said Maddie had been taken away by ferry and joked about mail-order kids again.
“I don’t think he was bothered whether she was sold to paedophiles or just a family.
“He was only interested in the money. It was around 100 grand.”
The Algerian – black, with cropped hair and facial scars – is “known to police in Portugal”.
Last night a police spokesman in Leicestershire where the McCanns live, said: “We have no comment to make.”
“Last night a police spokesman in Leicestershire where the McCanns live, said: “We have no comment to make.”
Well there is not much you can say about the Daily Stars piece.
Express Newspapers are going for it hammer and tongs to ridicule the Mc’s sightings. Todays article in the Star is a good example of this imo.
It would be nice one day if The Star, Express and Mail one day print the truth, the real truth. Now that would be a nice change instead of making up cr*p week after week. So much for last weeks sensation and the satellite images. Next week it will be a swarthy Father Christmas aka Santa who dunnit. Funny how its always somebody the Police want to question but the story is printed before any such questions are asked of the latest suspects. Whwn was the Star ever a newspaper anyway? A comic would have more truth in it.
Morning all
This is quite extraordinary:
MADDIE McCann was a “mail-order kid” snatched by a scarfaced North African crime lord, acc-ording to explosive new claims revealed today.
Police are now hunting an Algerian mafia boss who allegedly bragged to British associates in Portugal just weeks after the child’s disappearance.
Firstly, we have the racist slant again, a scarfaced North African who allegedly was so stupid he actually bragged about stealing Maddie. And what is more the Star are so stupid they not only claim to know what the police are doing, they tell us all about it, just to give this scallywag a head start. This is just as daft as M3, Maddie is in Morocco, we know who has got her and will have her home for Christmas.
The only thing I find just a bit interesting are alleged Liverpudlian and Notts connections, that may just have some basis in fact. Because I do think the basic claim being made, Maddie was stolen to order may just be true, with the full knowledge and connivance of her own parents.
Hiya Joe
By the time I get back from Sharm el Sheik (cannot resist those swarthy North Africans) on 16 November, I am expecting full details to be out of the McCanns 2009 Maddie Christmas Special!
Will it include a top secret visit by Kate to PDL that the Mirror and the Star can give us a full colour spread on :-)))
Will they tell us what she is really going back to PDL for, if she does?
xx
I expect the locals in PDL will mob Kate with big bunches of flowers, hugs and kisses welcoming her back and feting her as the best mum they ever heard of.
Kate and Gerry will revel in this, feel all the fund monies spent on a will you please love us campaign in Portugal was so worthwhile, and pose for shots, with juicy big grins across their gobs, much as they did on Madeleine's 4th birthday. After they had been given a few days to start being able to sleep normally again, and think what a joyous situation they were in.
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