Madeleine McCann: Watching The Parents
MORE no news on the Madeleine McCann case.
It is now a week since the three-year-old girl was snatched from a Portugal holiday resort.
The story has been distressing to watch on our TV screens. What it must like for the parents of Madeleine only a few can know.
BLAME
But their misery is far from complete. With no news of Madeleine, and the Portuguese police having no need to indulge the British tabloids with speculation and theory, Madeleine’s parents are the central characters.
And today’s front-page news, as reported by the caring Mirror, is: “THEY KNOW LEAVING KIDS WAS WRONG.”
Does the Mirror mean to say that Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry, now think they did the wrong thing in nipping out for a bite to eat and leaving the children in the apartment on what they thought was a secure resort?
Does the Mirror mean that the McCanns know that popping back regularly to look at their children and checking on their well being was less than perfect?
Does the Mirror mean that the McCanns realise they should not have left their children alone, just like it is wrong to leave a child in a hotel under the auspices of a baby monitoring service, to leave a child in the car while mum goes to pay for petrol, to talk to a neighbour over a garden fence while the children are indoors?
Of course this is not the Mirror’s view. Oh, no. This is Madeleine’s grandmother, Susan Healy, saying: “They know this was a mistake. But it wasn’t child neglect, it wasn’t not caring for your children.”
That she feels the need to say this is wrong. That the Mirror can lead with Madeleine’s grief-worn parents is pathetic and misguided. That the paper can talk of “people are asking why they didn’t make use of the crèche” at the resort or take the children out to dinner with them is wrong.
But the Mirror has news to write. And the police aren’t playing the game.
THEORIES
So the Mirror produces: “THE 6 THEORIES.”
Only six! Why this cautious approach? But it is all the Mirror has. And readers hear of the “PAEDOPHILE GANG”, the “LONE PAEDOPHILE”, the “JEALOUS MOTHER”, Madeleine wandering off and “DROWNED”, the “OPPORTUNIST PAEDOPHILE”, the “CHILDLESS COUPLE”.
But the Sun has more. It has 130 more. As the front-page headline screams: “MADDIE COPS HUNT 130 BRIT PAEDOS.”
The paper says “at least” 130 British paedophiles “might” have taken Madeleine McCann.
In “ALGARVE IS ‘HAVEN’ FOR PERVS”, readers learn that Portugal is a “magnet for sun-seeking perverts from Britain and the rest of Europe”.
Who knew that perverts get off on watching children at the beach?
Us And Them
But help is on its way. The Sun lists the British coppers who will go out there and see to it that justice is done. We, says the paper, are the only country with a sex offenders’ register.
All convicted perverts must inform the police of their desire to go abroad. At least 130 have. And the police are looking for them.
But – and whisper this – might it be that convicted sexual deviants don’t all tell the police what they plan to do? They are not monitored while overseas. And might it be that not all sexual predators are caught and make it to the list?
Among the policemans’ names is Detective Superintendent Graham Hill, attached to theChild Exploitation and Protection Centre. Hill is on the case. He has flown to Portugal.
Hill worked on the case of Milly Dowler. She was snatched from near Walton railway station, Surrey, in 2002. Her body was found six months later. Her killer or killers have never been caught.
Perhaps Hill’s experiences can help. Perhaps he’ll have more luck. Perhaps not.
Meanwhile, a family is distraught, and bearing up incredibly well under the strain and the merciless gaze of the newspapers…
Posted: 10th, May 2007 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (2,260) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
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September 13th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
The Mccanns are now acting like the victims…There is only one victim in this case and that is Madeleine!! I, like everyone else, hopes Maddie is found alive and well, BUT after reading the news I doubt more and more that she will ever be found. As for the Mccanns, if they are guilty of this, then GOD help them. If they are not, may justice be served!!
Wonder what Kate’s diary has in it?
September 13th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Jonh O: Humm, comminting suicide ? The Mccanns ? Pulezzzzzz! No no no.
Next step: Make a NEW fund for people to donate money so that they can pay for their expenses with THE MOST EXPENSIVE lawer services in Britain and probably in the WORLD. Why can’t they have a team of “normal” and cheaper lawers, are these “normal” lawers less valuable or have LESS political connections ?
And they have to move fast while they still have “ducks” on their side, willing to help. Imagine ….in 4 months -1,5m - Even if they are guilty and the fund will be on for 1 week until they are convicted - imagine how much they can “cash” from all over the world. And if they remain suspects for 8 months as it can happen… you can imagine !!! And after that…guilty or not…they are rich!!!
Step 2: Write a BOOK “Mccanns” - Leave no stone unturned
Another BOOK “Mccanns” - Our fight against the Portuguese Set-UP
Another BOOK “Mccanns” - Our Ordeal…
Well, and so on…an another book, and another….till there is a SAGA
Step 3 - Mccanns - The Movie, to the spotlights of Hollywood
Step 4 - Mccanns - THE serie - On every world TV
Step 5 - Mccanns - Now on DVD and Video
Believe me… the team they have supporting them is not in this for the “LOVE” of the cause,or to fight for their innocence, but for the possibility of a HUGE PROFIT. Imagine, the Mccanns are a MONEY MAKIG MACHINE ! And more to come!! You just wait…
I only regret that, at the end, everybody ends up forgetting that it is ABOUT MADELEINE, and the portuguese police, seems to be the ONLY in the WORLD WANTING to find HER.
This will be a big SAGA, and guilty or not, you can be sure if one thing:
FOR THE MCCANNS, DESPITE THEIR SUFFERING, AND GUILTY OR NOT…LOOSING MADELEINE WAS FAR BETTER THAN WINNING THE EUROMILLIONS! MONEY CAN BUY EVERYTHING CAN’T IT ?
It can buy the best defense in the world, the best vultures team to drain money out of honest people all over the world, and they will use Madeleine and the twins as an excuse to ask people for donations.
And, as money can buy anything, they can also “buy” another child, IVF, to show the world they really care about children and want to have a family of five again.
But money won’t bring Madeleine back alive and this is the only truth we cannot deny. The world will never forget you Madeleine, we love you.
September 13th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Really getting tired of this story! Anybody with an ounce of intelect can see the couple are guilty.
They seem to be hiding behind their profession and their faith!
Everybody knows all doctors are whiter than white, and that catholics could never hurt a child ever!
come on guys look at the facts, they would not have made them suspects without concrete evidence. Evidence that they don’t have to share with the media!!!
September 13th, 2007 at 11:46 am
Sarah, I think they have had psychics come forward with bits of information - I dont think the McCanns actively went to see one what with them being Catholic. I strongly believe in Psychics as my friend’s mother is one, and she is very popular here in South Africa.
I feel that no matter what your beliefs are in life though, that one must chase up every avenue no matter how small or strange, because you never know what you may find out.
I hope the McCanns kow that they do have support out there from the general public and not just their family and friends.
September 13th, 2007 at 11:05 am
My heart goes out to this family and the pain they must be going through.I agree re the fund money.
If i were in this situation i would use a psychic to help find Madeline.I know they are used in many investigations. I wonder if they have considered this.
September 13th, 2007 at 10:00 am
I agree 100% re the fund money.
BUT - don’t worry - they will be found innocent because they are!
September 13th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Although I do believe in the McCann’s innocence, I strongly object to anyone even contemplating the use of the Find Madeleine fund money to be used towards their legal costs, that is just wrong. If they are found innocent beyond any reasonable doubt - then yes perhaps use the money, after the ruling.
But if they are in fact be found guilty beyond resonable doubt of killing their daughter, why should the public who have generously donated their money in good faith to help find Madeleine in fact pay for their defence when the McCann’s knew all along they were guilty.
If they are guilty of this, then I also hope they dont just get sentenced to two years for accidentaly killing her, I hope they get punished for taking money toward the fund and lying to everyone and wasting police time in the search of Madeleine and whatever else they can be charged for. Because only a “sick” person would do what they have done over the last few months knowing what they have done.
However, should they be innocent as I believe they are, I think they have gone through so much in the last four months that nobody deserves what they are going through. I can not even contemplate what they must be feeling right now. It is just a very sad and very upsetting situation.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:41 am
So what if the McCanns are saying they have had no income for a few weeks, it appears they have not needed to be paying for anything themselves as the Portuguese for a start have been very generous, and the interest that must be being generated by the one million plus pounds that will be invested for them and for their expenses must have paid for all their needs.
Yet the money was supposedly donated to help find Madeleine and when I have queried why for instance they are not employing private detective, I have been blasted by statements that the McCanns can’t just get the trustees to give money like that.
What is going on, and just how much has been paid to actually help find a live Madeleine, if possible, in the form of help with private investigations into her disappearance being as how the Portugese police believe they’re looking for a dead person.
Another suggestion was digging up where the road works had been in case she had fallen in there, but that also was blasted.
An interesting question would be how much exactly the trustee are paying themselves to administer this trust, or are they doing it for free.
People who have donated to the Madeleine Fund are not all aware that the money is for the family exclusively and they can do whatever with it, and if they really wanted to they could also use it for legal funds, but as they have been advised that if they lose the case and are found guilty they would have to repay it they have declined.
So as it stands, they will most likely start another Fund and this time for their defence and no doubt if there is anything left that will be theirs also.
The McCanns are hardly on skid row and they definitely know how to work the media and it would be interesting to know how much they are getting paid for all the exclusives they give to the newspapers, etc. What is that money used for and why not put that towards their defence fund.
I am sorry to say this but you need to be warned not to be first class mugs a second time and start to ask a few questions before being so ready and willing to hand over your money to the McCanns who are probably far richer than most of the people will ever be who are donating money to them.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:04 am
this is just nuts…all the people that donated to this fund thinking it could help find maddie
Mr McCann, a cardiologist, has been on unpaid leave and Mrs McCann has given up her role as a GP.
With no income and facing huge legal bills for a fight that could last several years, the couple will have to find the money from other donors, their family or through drastic measures like selling their house.
They are keen for the money to be released after hiring a senior legal team including Michael Caplin QC, who has represented a string of high-profile clients such as General Augusto Pinochet.
One director, Esther McVey, a former television presenter, said: “At the moment none of the fund has been used to pay for the defence case. But we are convening a meeting to decide if it can be used.
“When the fund was set up, one of its stated aims was to provide financial support for Madeleine’s family as they searched for her.
“We are uncertain if the use of the money to pay for lawyers in these unexpected circumstances would be in the spirit of that aim. We will be taking advice from a barrister.”
Miss McVey, 39, a friend of Mrs McCann’s since their student days, refused to comment on whether people had begun asking for their money back after the McCanns were named as formal suspects.
Because the fund is a private business and not a registered charity, the money is not ring-fenced for a particular purpose and there is little to stop the McCanns using the money for legal fees.
***it also says the the fund was to support the Mccann family while they were looking for Maddie?
September 13th, 2007 at 1:51 am
IMO it is not up to the Mccanns if they can use the “fund” or not. Here we have two articles…one says they are waiting on word IF they can use it and the other they will NOT use it. Who knows which is true. They stated that they had used their savings and have not worked since they went on Holiday. They have hired a TEAM of lawyers. And IMO they have probably been using the fund all along.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:45 am
This was from The Times on line
The parents of Madeleine McCann may set up a separate fighting fund to pay mounting legal costs as they seek to defend themselves against accusations they were involved in her death.
Kate and Gerry McCann have appointed top lawyers in Portugal and Britain after being named as formal suspects in their daughter’s disappearance.
They have said that they will not use the fund set up to find Madeleine, which now has more than £1 million in it, but a family source told Times Online today that setting up a new fund “was one of the options they may well look at”.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:42 am
I just read a news report - they are not going to use the Find Madeleine fund - but are thinking about setting up another appeal - the McCann legal fund - AND YOU KNOW WHAT - there are some out there who would donate to it !!
September 13th, 2007 at 1:21 am
i believe someone posted that the mccanns did not want to use the maddie fund for themselves,,,,well take a look at this
KATE and Gerry McCann are expected to learn by today whether they can use the Find Madeleine fund to pay their mounting legal costs.
Neither has earned anything since they took unpaid leave three months ago to remain in Portugal.
However since they were made official suspects in the case of daughter Madeleine’s disappearance, the couple have employed one of Britain’s most expensive QCs, Michael Caplan.
If the case takes months and spans two separate legal systems — British and Portuguese — the total legal costs could run into millions.
The Find Madeleine fund was originally set up to “help find Madeleine McCann and support her family and bring her abductors to justice”.
However today its board of trustees will meet in London to determine whether the money — currently more than $2.4 million — can be released to pay legal costs
September 13th, 2007 at 12:50 am
Chezza - Did the Wests seem “the type” what about Huntley was he “the type”? Shipman - doctor of long standing and status “the type”? What exactly is “the type” of person who would “accidentally” harm a child.. The truth is if this whole sad senario is a case of accidental death - albeit by the parents - then everyone of us is a “type” = Accidents happen - nobody is exempt = not even the royal family - who have been hell bent on trying to prove that the Diana saga was not an accident..The very meaning of the word signifys that it can happen whenever to whoever at whatever stage in a life -that is an accident
September 13th, 2007 at 12:48 am
IMO at this time noone can say the Mccanns are guilty or innocent of having something to do with Madeleine’s disappearance? Noone knows if she is dead or alive…well let me correct that. The person responsible for her disappearance and or death knows. All we can do is voice our opinion. All we have to go on is the info we read here, see on tv or read in the paper and how we “read” the Mccanns. The Mccanns know if they were involved BUT with all we have read, I would not want to be them if i was innocent…..
September 13th, 2007 at 12:42 am
chezza - and what experience do you have of “the type”?
September 12th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
1465 opinion says. “You posted earlier that ‘this message board was now closed…’”
John O says - Sarcasm based upon an earlier post. I apologise if this went over your head.
1465 opinion says “Now you are back - with your usual ‘I told you so’ - and what do you infer when you say “My concern is the possibility of what the McCann’s are capable of next?” You expecting them to come a knocking at your door? puleeeeeeeeeez!
John O says Er…. No……..!!! I can see the 2 of them committing suicide and killing the twins. Doctor/surgeon being the top of the list of professions for suicide. Why would I expect them at my door? Puleeeeeeeeeeez!
I look forward to coming on to this site with a big fat I TOLD YOU SO in the not too distant future.
September 12th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
you know wot u people just dont look at the facts correctly r talking crap and u know wot some of the news papers over exzagerate about things u shudnt believe every word you read they did not kill her not even accidently i think they would own up to if they did by now from all the guilt. i really dont believe they killed her especially kate who dont seem the type.
September 12th, 2007 at 11:35 pm
Kate was questioned as to why she had recently washed Maddys favourite toy. Her response was that it had sand and sun tan lotion on it.
GUILTY!!!!!
September 12th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
I think they are more interested in their reputation because they may lose their other 2 children and be locked up for a rather long time. I don’t think that the fact that their daughter is missing has left their minds or hearts at all through the whole time just the fact of being a suspect in the accidental death may be playing more on their minds for 2 reasons
1 if they are charged for the murder of their daughter then the twins lose both their parents and sister and the case for Madeleine being found alive forgotten.
2 They say they are innocent and hope that Madeleine is alive and feel that they are being framed for Madeleine’s death.
I don’t think that being prepared at this stage in the case is strange, I would be the same, they cannot afford to say anything that may be turned by the media or police, they are not allowed to mention the case. So preparing a statement saves him from any questions that may make him look like he is trying to hide something.
I did think that they acted strange before with all of the so called sightings and not going to see if it was her but I don’t think they are acting strange now, they are now trying to protect themselves from being charged for the murder of their daughter and losing the other 2 children.
Sandra what you said about Children that is so true, when you have a child you make that commitment to care for your child even if that means you have to sacrafice things to do so.
In this the McCanns were so guilty of neglect alot of people may have left their children alone while on holiday, but they are the lucky ones that neglected their children and didnt have to pay the consequnces.
The McCanns should have stayed with the children they didnt, but i dont see that they would have covered up an accidental death or murdered her because she wouldnt sleep.
September 12th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Aggh apologies…. I was on the wrong page (what an idiot!¬) Sorry Admin/moderation….
(tip toes away quietly , feeling a bit silly!) xx
September 12th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
why have you deleted my perfectly rational posts?
You people are weird
September 12th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
I don’t find their attitudes strange. They are trying to hold it all together.
I can’t wait to come back to this site when you all find out that they are innocent.
I hope you will all be big enough to hold your hands up!
September 12th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
Maybe it is me, but the Mccanns seem more interested in their reputation then in
the fact that their daughter is missing.
I wonder how long it will be before they can search around at the church?
I to wonder HOW they keep it together. I would go to the end of the earth and back for one of my children.
September 12th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
The most thing that I find so strange is how they ( mainly gerry ) conducts themselves in front of the media. I always look for crocodile tears as so many cases in Britain are put forward to the press hoping they may say something that indicates themselves, he seems to be really organised a little too organised for my liking.
As a parent, i found it very strange that as soon as he got off the plane he had a statement already written for the media at the airport and was very clear and concise about matters all the way through. Now i know what its like to have to leave your child since my own daughter had to be left in Special Care at the hospital when she was first born and the day i had to walk out them doors without her and come home empty handed i didnt stop crying for hours without being consolled. Not once either before or after they got on that plane did you see any sort of breakdown except for a slight warble in his voice when he mentioned about not being playing any part in her disappearance and nothing from the mother.
Now im one to never show much emotion in public but when it comes to my child i dont think i could hold it together but who am i to say how good or bad the mccanns are holding it together im just saying it how i see it.
September 12th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Hi, again…
Well, its 5 pm and now the news relating to Mrs Mccann diary came up, except it mentions a COPY of the diary. I was thinking this was strange because if they need the diary and it is in England…well she could well destoy it. But a COPY is mentioned, meaning she has the original with her.
As for the rented car, which was kept guarded by the police since they left to UK, I read that the Mccanns are bringing in an independant commission to do tests on the car. I wonder what they mean by “independant” aren’t the british/portuguese police independant ?
It is also referred that the dogs and a specialist that the Mccanns requested from South Africa in July detected a corpse smell from Ocean Club until the south of the beach, passing by the church. But they insisted she was abducted. The church has a cemitery not used for a long time.(I think centuries) The church was the only place not searched yet by the police, because it is place of cult and they need a judge to order that, and the catholic/anglican church responsibles have to allow. Humm, is this the part the Pope comes in ?
Oh Madeleine, sorry you had to come here to find your end.
September 12th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Diane: you said it all….:) The wisest post I’ve read so far. All the best for you, and no, we do not think all the English are like the Mccanns, I know some English persons, I had natural language teachers from Britain at my University in Lisbon, they were from Liverpool (ENG) and Edimburg,(Scot). (I bet they would have an heart attack reading my mistakes,… sorry) and I loved them. Also from previous holidays and in my business, and they are totally diferent, they carry their children in “their pockets” if they have to. It has nothing to do with nationality, only with being human and the real feeling and love a mother and father can have, there are no words to describe. I am also a “What IF mother”, my husband says I watch many movies… which I don’t, I just picture the scenes before they happen. That is being responsible, prudent and caring for the ones we love the most. I would have died already or would be vegetating somewhere if I ever left them alone and something happened.
You know, sometimes people have a very nice and colored way of looking into having children, the perfect family, so beatiful in the photos, but the real truth is that no one can denies, children really require many energy and responsability. For someone wanting to have IVF because time was passing and all the friends already had children, does not look like the right reason. And then when it happens it is a big change, much different from the dream of the perfect family. Sleepless nights, brestfeed, colics, some women even go almost crazy because they are “fat”…and want to return to be fit instantly. Not to mention having to stop working for a while, which for some represent a big minus in their successful carriers. For someone to have a child there must be a lifetime commitment, inconditional love, accept that much work will come on the way and be prepared to help and protect with our life is necessary, these little human beings. So that they can be happy, confident and honest persons when they grow up.
September 12th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
At the end of the day, we can all speculate as to what has happened and gone on in the past 4 months with this case. Im sure the police have information they are not sharing, they are not going to show their cards all at once if they are building their case. Till this investigation has thoroughly been gone through and the evidence is concrete im just gona try and keep an open mind as to what happened to little maddie.
As a parent of a 3 year old daughter myself i couldnt get my head around as to why these 3 children were left alone in the first place, reports on the news interviewed locals and they seem to think the British leave their children unattended and in possible harms way. I would like to say to any portuguese we are not all like the mcanns and do this.
I can only say how I am with my own daughter as she doesnt move without me knowing, even if i am downstairs and about to go upstairs she is called to come with me and to bring along toys so she doesnt find her tiny fingers in plug sockets or turning on ovens etc. If she is not in ear or eye view she is called to were she will be.
Children this age can get into anything and ive always been brought up with the “what if” scenario. I dont care how hungry or thirsty I was I wouldnt have left a sleeping child alone never mind 3. Id have either sent out my partner to bring in food or woke up the kids to take them with me. In past experiences abroad ive found live wires and broken lamps in hotel rooms and beams with nails sticking out so not just the in case they get out and go missing but its the “what if” they may hurt themselves on something in the room when they are alone comes in to question. Did they not ask themselves this before leaving them alone.
I would like to believe these people are innocent in all this and maddie is found ALIVE or in worse case scenario Dead, just so the case and specualtions can be put to bed and this poor little girl can either be reunited with her family or rest in peace. The evidence which as been reported certainly doesnt do the mcanns any favours whatsoever but by some cruel fate these things can happen all over the world were innocent people have had the finger and evidence pointed at them and been charged with the wrong doing. I hope its absolute concrete against them if it turns out they are charged but god help them if they have had a part in it after all what has been done for them, their life wont be worth living. I wish all that play a part in this case all the luck in the world to crack it and find maddie because its all about this beautiful little girl at the end of it all.
September 12th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
On the news just - apparently the directors authorised payments of £4000 to pay for the villa, and payment of several thousand pounds for car hire, living expences etc from the fund. BUT they are apparently drawing the line under the request from the McCanns to pay legal fees. So - probably to save face, the McCanns have now said that they do not intend to use the fund for legal costs, but probably meant “not allowed to”
September 12th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Its qouted they will not use the fund money but the board of trusties are still meeting to see if it is possible but both Gerry and Kate have said they do not want to use the fund money.
Whatever the out come of these last few days i just hope its the truth and that Madeleines body is found.
This has to be the way it ends as how can anyone be certain if the truth is told without a body.
Unless the McCanns confess then the body would be found i have to say i would want to confess if it was me i couldnt live with that guilt.
This is one of the reasons i cannot believe they done this but also because it does not sound right if they done this how did they manage it, I really hope that if they are guilty they own up and get it over with so that poor child can be left to rest.