Madeleine McCann: Suspects Kate And Gerry And The Flight Of Fancy
MADDYWATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann.
THE SUN front page: “EXCLUSIVE – ‘We’re being set up. I’ve had enough. Let’s go home.’” This is the “ANGER OF MADDIE DAD.”
Gerry and Kate McCann, “the doctors”, are back in their home town of Rothley, Leicestershire.
Pages 4, 5, 6 & 7: A statement from Gerry McCann in which he thanks one and all for the support and adds: “But we would like to ask for our privacy to be respected now that we have returned home.”
But their private grief is public spectacle. Can they be left alone with their daughter still missing and their campaign to find her in progress?
“YOU’LL LOSE THE TWINS.” Portuguese police are said to have told Kate McCann she should confess or face losing her two children.
“FACT OR FIT-UP?” The Sun considers the claims and gives each an “EXPLANATION.”
THE SUN SAYS: “McCanns’ hell”. The McCann’s “torment gets more horrendous by the day.” Where is the “kidnapper who might still have the four-year-old child in his clutches?”
THE TIMES front page: “McCanns fly home to fights their case.”
Mr McCann says the police’s focus on them is “deeply disturbing”.
Portuguese newspapers claim the McCanns failed to answer 40 questions put to them during interviews last week. “They apparently feared that they could wrongly implicate themselves if he [sic] did so.”
Pages 6 & 7: “Puzzles and mysteries at the very heart of the investigation.”
The paper tries to answer some of these questions. It tells us: “Although a small child could be killed quickly it would take time to hide the body so that it was not discovered in the biggest search in Portuguese history.”
The paper’s David Brown does not reveal how he researched this. He just knows.
The window to the McCanns apartment might have been opened from the inside. Brown of the Wapping Yard concludes: “Or was the window opened to make it appear as if an intruder had used it to enter the bedroom?”
Hmmm. What say you Mr Brown?
DAILY MAIL front page: “Police are determined to charge McCanns with killing Madeleine. HOME…FOR HOW LONG?”
Mr McCann is said to have told a friends: “We are being completely stitched up by the Portuguese police. We are completely f*****. We should have seen this coming weeks ago and gone back to Britain.”
Pages 2 and 3: “Madeleine’s parents consult Pinochet’s lawyer.” The McCanns have consulted with Michael Caplan QC, the British lawyer who represented Chilean dictator General Pinochet, who stood accused to torture and human rights abuses. Interesting?
Pages 4 & 5: “Questions the police must answer.”
The paper wonders if Robert Murat was named as a suspect in the hope his presence might “lead the couple into committing an incriminating indiscretion?” Or not.
In attempting to answer the key questions, the Mail produces more questions.
And the evidence..? The paper’s Michael Hanson wonders just how “foolproof” forensic tests are. You can’t argue with the science. Or can you?
DAILY MIRROR front page: “Kate weeps in Maddy’s room.”
The paper’s “EXCLUSIVE” is that Kate McCann sat alone in Madeleine’s “pink-painted room” and “sobbed in despair”.
How does it know this?
A friend says: “They are not running and will clear their names.”
Pages 4 & 5: Four pictures of the McCanns: arriving at Faro airport; boarding a flight,;on the plane getting ready for take off; and walking to their family home in Rothley.
Pages 6 & 7: “40 questions they both ‘refused’ to answer’.” And: “Officers say her replies left a lot to be desired, ‘it was claimed.’”
“McCANNS FACE KILLING CHARGE.”
“WHY COPS THINK SHE WAS NOT ABDUCTED.”
Page 9: Brian Reade has a daughter the same age as Madeleine McCann. Brian, who writes for the Mirror, has found it “impossible to imagine the depth of pain and guilt”. Without a body, says Brian, “They may never be able to prove their total and complete innocence.”
DAILY EXPRESS front page: “MADELEINE ‘WE CAN PROVE PARENTS DID IT.’ Portuguese police make dramatic new claim over evidence.”
Pages 2, 3 4, 5: The paper’s Martin Evans is on flight EZY 6552. He sees the McCanns travel home. He experiences “first hand…Kate’s pain and anguish on that most difficult of journeys”.
The seatbelts sign goes off. A note is passed to Kate. It is from another passenger. Kate reads the “simple message” of support. “A female passenger kneels by Kate and gives her a “tight hug.”
Kate sobs, “tears dripping slowly down her cheeks”.
Page 6: “Questions for the McCanns.” The Express has a go at solving the mystery. It says “Case could hang over us for ever say parents”.
DAILY STAR front page: “Maddie’s parents surprise flight.” Flight?
Pages 6 & 7: “We’re not running away.”
Page 7: More from Martin Evans, who sees the McCanns’ “pained expressions”.
Pages 8 & 9: “Furious donors want cash back as pressure mounts on friends to reveal all. DAD: I’LL USE £1M MADDIE FUND TO CLEAR OUR NAMES.”
DAILY TELEGRAPH front page: “Year-long wait for McCanns to clear name.”
Says Kate McCann: “Portuguese law prohibits us from commenting on the police investigation. Despite their being so much we wish to say we are unable to do so except to say this: we have played no part in the disappearance of our lovely daughter Madeleine.”
Page 4: “Couple facing a ‘life sentence of grief’.”
THE GUARDIAN front page: “Exhausted and under suspicion, Madeleine’s family come home.”
Pages 2, 4 & 5: “Rothley villagers relieved to see family return.”
“Thank goodness. They’re back where they belong and it’s the best place they could possibly be,” says one young mother.
The Rev Mark Chandler adds: “My every sense tells me that Rothley is just pleased and relieved to have them back.”
THE INDEPENDENT front page: “130 days since they left for a family holiday, the McCanns return to Britain without Madeleine. This is “THE HOMECOMING”.
Pages 2 & 3: “A shattered family returns to Britain without Madeleine”. “Portugal’s media clamour for conviction”.
Says one mother holidaying in Praia da Luz: “You don’t want to believe the worst but when you read headlines like these [in Portuguese media], obviously one conclusion seems more likely than another.”
Says the Diario de Noticia: “PJ wait for final examinations to arrest Madeleine’s parents.”
Madeleine McCann: private grief as public spectacle
Posted: 10th, September 2007 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (1,280) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
Comments
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September 10th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
It would be a good combination trixie
September 10th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
People go “against the police” all the time, rose. It’s called having a functioning justice system.
September 10th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Rose, I think your donating was a good thing, but unfortunately, it would have been better to pick a charity.
However, you were counting on the McCann’s to use the money appropriately and I doubt they did.
IF you want to do a petition, then you should write one to the fund’s directors and hopefully appeal to them… or a letter campaign… I don’t see any use in asking the government to take money that isn’t theirs.
If you want to petition the government, petition them to investigate thoroughly, protect the children, and ensure justice is done.
September 10th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
There are six directors of the Fund. They are:
Peter Hubner; a retired consultant;
Brian Kennedy, a retired head teacher;
John McCann, a medical representative;
Esther McVey, managing director of a public relations & communications company;
Doug Skehan, clinical director in cardiology at Glenfield Hospital;
Philip Tomlinson, a retired solicitor and former coroner in Leicestershire;
Michael Linnett, a retired accountant
If they want to become the most hated people in the world then let give the money to the McCanns - we gave money to search for Madeleine and I do not care what clause they had about supporting the family - No.1 on the list was to find Madeleine - and if that means taking her parents to court and using the money against them - then that is what should happen.
If these directors want to go AGAINST the POLICE and say that they are falsifying evidence - where is the proof?
There is plenty of proof that the McCanns lie!
Yes the money should support the family -
the family that have to look after the TWINS - when their selfish arrogant cold hearted parents get slammed up in jail!!!!!
September 10th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
Rose, I’m sorry, I feel for you and the thousands like you who were duped by these people, but I think the chances of getting your money back are pretty remote.
One object of the fund was to financially support the McCanns, and that could include legal fees or anything. I agree that, while they are suspects, that seems to be at odds with another object; bringing Medeleine’s abductor to justice.
I think the best you can hope for is that the directors (who decide how the money is spent) decide that the decent thing to do is donate it all to the NSPCC.
September 10th, 2007 at 6:36 pm
(738 & 739)
That might cure your “itch” if you can find your way in the door there.
On second thought, it may make you worse. It’s a toss up.
So, take a gamble, give it a shot and report back here with your findings.
September 10th, 2007 at 6:35 pm
Can someone link to this petition please? Can’t google it.
September 10th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Stephen, I’m making a Mexican omelette as we speak.
September 10th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Who was it who lied about the ‘if you confess you’ll only be in prison for year’ deal or whatever it was? Was it Kate or was it the papers? There’s no way that any deal would be offered so basically this lie was created to make the police look bad. So who came up with this lie? If it was Kate then one has to ask why she is so hellbent on trying to create some kind of conspiracy against herself?
September 10th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
rose, the directors are the McCanns’ friends and family. Get real.
September 10th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Sorry, I just couldn’t resist this. According to the BBC:
“Mrs McCann’s uncle, Brian Kennedy, said on Monday…
“They’re fine. They had a decent night’s sleep and the twins slept soundly.”
Sounds like another job for ‘mother’s little helper’ (and Stones fans should get my meaning).
September 10th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Rose, what you forget is the government has a duty to protect children, but it’s not their money.
So there’s no equivalence between the situations. You can disagree all you want. The government can’t do squat.
September 10th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
and the quote:
3.1.2 To procure that Madeleine’s abduction is thoroughly investigated and that her abductors, as well as those who played or play any part in assisting them, are identified and brought to justice;
September 10th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
What’s for lunch?
September 10th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
A lot of things drive American women wild!
September 10th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
I disagree Christoph. Thousands of us signed a petition to send the social services around to the McCanns and
Voila!
People power! It is difficult to ignore a petition as the rich people know the power of the sheeple masses and will do anything for a quiet life.
This pair have made fools of a lot of people and a mockery of parenthood!
Quote: Madeleine’s fund is a non charitable not-for-profit company, which has been established to help find Madeleine McCann and to support her family and bring her abductors to justice.
Read again: TO BRING HER ABDUCTORS TO JUSTICE!
If her parents abducted her dead body then my money should be used to bring them to justice!
September 10th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
744 - “Au Contraire”
Christoph - I love when you speak French
It drives us American women wild!!!!!!
September 10th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
728 - I Understand what you’re saying.
For the record, lots of people have continued to perpetuate the autism diagnosis to Madeleine for a while now. But,the family have definitively said it’s not true. Hopefully, this will put those rumours to rest for once and for all.
Again, not that it would impact her status as an abducted child or a murdered child. Either scenario is a possibility whether she be autistic or have any illness for that matter.
September 10th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
More likely than not recorded on video.
September 10th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Everyone remember how Murat’s computer was seized and scrutinised for any sign of a suspicious mindset ?
Surely we would have heard if the McCann house had been entered and searched ?
If not, what an omission. They are now back home, and could be busily deleting away and generally cleaning house.
September 10th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
Weird. The order of my post 744 was completely messed up. Anyway, the last paragraph should have followed the second blockquote.
September 10th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
743- The statement was meant it would be nasty!!!! not that he is nasty!!!
September 10th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
*of the fund
September 10th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
I donated $50 for his campaign and have already emailed him several times telling him a want my money back..and that he needs to rot in jail
September 10th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
The fund was not a registered clearly, it was identified to you, as was the purpose of the offend which includes supporting the McCann’s. You would have been better off giving your money to a registered charity or donating it to Interpol.
Au contraire.
I’m sure you would love to do something completely ineffective. It’s not the British or Portuguese government’s money: It’s that company’s money, which is to say it’s the McCann’s subject only to the will of the board of directors (their friends).
September 10th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
Oh for God’s sakes, Cannie, he’s speculating; don’t exagerate your own importance.
September 10th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
Social services in the UK are probing Madeleine McCann\’s family amid fears that parents Kate and Gerry will be charged with killing their daughter, it emerged today. This is good news since they are suspects for harming their child in a way we do not yet know.
The couple are being advised by Michael Caplan QC and Angus McBride, from London firm Kingsley Napley.
Mr Caplan acted for former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet when Spain tried to extradite him from the UK in 1999.
Mr McBride is a criminal lawyer with particular expertise in protecting the reputation of people and companies being investigated by either the media or criminal investigators, according to Kingsley Napley\’s website.
Considering that the http://www.FindMadeleine website is a company that is hosted in the U.K - it is - I have checked! - Fraud was committed under British Juristiction.
You can bet that Mr. Caplan the Dictators lawyer and Mr. McBride the criminals company lawyer will expect to be paid a large sum of money from this fund and that is why the clause that money can be used to support the family was put in there!
As a woman who fell for the McCanns story - as did a lot of people in the first few days - I gave a large sum of money under the impression that it was to be used to buy manpower to search for Madeleine alive and to support the family in court against whoever hurt or kidnapped Madeleine.
What I did NOT expect was it to be used to support the family in court AGAINST THE POLICE AND AGAINST MADELEINE!!!!!
Please can we do something NOW…before they get their hands on the money!
I would love to sign a petition sent to the British and Portugal giverment or police asking that the money be used in the way it was intended - to be used to find Madeleine - dead or alive - and to be used in court AGAINST the people that the police ARREST for the CRIME!!!!
We need to act now as the money will be needed by the police to fight these top lawyers!!!!!
Anyone more intelligent than me with guts please start this off - or are you all talk? I am afraid of messing up again.
I made a mistake as I spent days crying for these 2 people but I made no mistake in crying for their missing child. There is no mistaking the witness statements that LIE and even without the dna evidence I know that this couple are LIARS out to use our good nature and abuse it for their own benefit. WE DID NOT GIVE MONEY TO THE MCCANNS -we gave it to MADELEINE!!!!!!
September 10th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
Smell of death::
They had a doctor at this house this morning..apparently Kate was complaining of palpitations
September 10th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
739- Nasty is the key word!!!
September 10th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
I just want to get down & nasty w/ her