Madeleine McCann: Torture, A Witness, Robert Murat’s Innocence And Richard Branson Investigates
MADDYWATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann.
SUNDAY MAIL front page: “MADDIE POLICE TORTURE TRIAL.”
As reported by Anorak on June 11 (see Madeleine McCann And Amaral Policing): “Chief Inspector Goncalo Amaral has been accused of concealing evidence that the mother of eight-year-old Joana Cipriano, who disappeared in the Algarve three years ago, was tortured by police into confessing she had killed her daughter, whose body was never found.”
Is this the British Press discrediting the Portuguese police? Should they leave our Kate and Gerry alone? (Do the Portuguese police have a PR?)
“Lies, beatings, secret trials: the dark side of police handling Madeleine case” – If the Portuguese police do have a PR, they should get a new one.
“Madeleine: Hair in McCann Renault: ‘It could be anyone’s’” - British forensic experts have concluded the fragments said to be Madeleine’s could belong to any number of people who had come into contact with the silver Renault Scenic.
THE OBSERVER: “Maddy police: we blundered.” Remember Robert Murat?
Says a source said to be from within the Portuguese police force: “British police and crime experts also suggested that Murat fitted the profile to have been behind a kidnapping. But the Lisbon investigators were from the start unsettled about the lack of any motive. Months later, there is nothing to suggest he was involved.”
But, er, Robert Murat remains a suspect.
SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: “Hope for McCanns as law on secrecy is eased.”
Plans are afoot to change the rules in Portugal. The “new law means that all suspects and third parties, including the media, will have access to police documents in any investigation - unless the public prosecutor decides that secrecy will benefit the inquiry or protect the rights of the accused.”
And the police can make their views known to the public, too.
And: the McCanns have announced an £80,000 advertising campaign to help find Madeleine.
SUNDAY EXPRESS: “MADELEINE MYSTERY - POLICE TO ACT OUT MADDIE TRAGEDY”.
No longer a criminal case. It is now a tragedy. The Encyclopaedia Britannica says a tragedy is a “branch of drama that treats in a serious and dignified style the sorrowful or terrible events encountered or caused by a heroic individual.”
Yes, dignified. Who knew?
DAILY STAR ON SUNDAY front page: “MADDIE. The missing journey.”
Where did she go?
SUNDAY TIMES front page: “Branson gives cash to defend McCanns.”
Sir Richard Branson is giving £100,000 to create a “fighting fund” to help the parents of Madeleine McCann to clear their names.
A source close to Branson says: “Sir Richard wants to ensure the McCanns get access to the best legal advice. He has a good instinct on these things.”
The Virgin Sniffer will crack the case. Or will his PR and marketing departments get there first.
But is Branson right? Let’s take a look at the survey…
“According to a YouGov poll for The Sunday Times, only 20% of respondents believe that the McCanns are completely innocent. Nearly half (48%) believe that they could have been responsible for their daughter’s death, even if it was an accident; 32% were unsure. A total of 40% said that the McCanns’ high-profile campaign had made them suspicious, but 50% said that it had not.”
Tasteful stuff. But we need another poll to find out what happened to Madeleine McCann.
Times Columnist India Knight is a McCann junkie. “I want to stop reading, listening, watching, Googling, amateur sleuthing; I nauseate myself with my own prurience. My appetite for commentary – which is all that’s left, in the absence of hard facts – has been sated many times over. But I can’t stop.”
She craves information. But there isn’t any. Unless you listen to sources”…
“Police leaks, gossip and a clash of cultures close in on McCanns” - Yesterday the police spokesman Olegario de Sousa quit “in dismay” at the daily leaks to the press.
Those Portuguese police leaks only add to the speculation and the pain. Thanks goodness for the clarity and sensitivity provided by the Times.
As the Times notes: “Maria do Sameiro Oliveira, a psychologist who does criminal profiling for the police, said she found it strange ‘how they function so much as a unit, always holding hands rigidly’ and pointed out that normally in cases of child disappearances, ‘the mother and father start to diverge, one wants to continue the search, the other not’. She added: “They show little evidence of suffering. They are very formal.”
You should not be influence by Ms Oliveria’s words. When responding to the Times’ survey, make your judgement. Make up your own survey.
THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY: “The McCanns: Unbelievable truth or unimaginable nightmare?”
The human interest angle and a time to look back over week of speculation.
NEWS OF THE WORLD: “MADDIE: THE SECRET WITNESS – TV boss holds vital clue to mystery.”
Jeremy Wilkins is the man whose “bombshell testimony could clear the McCanns”.
And: “Jeremy Wilkins’ evidence blows holes in the police theory that Gerry and Kate killed four-year-old Madeleine.”
Wilkins is said to be the man who spoke to Gerry McCann for up to 15 minutes outside the holiday apartments — “moments after checking on his children for the last time.”
A pal says: “He is entirely convinced of Kate and Gerry’s innocence. He believes they are a decent family caught up in an unimaginable nightmare.”
With Wilkin’s certainly and Richard Branson’s sense of smell, the McCanns may be placed once more above suspicion.
All the Madeleine McCann Faction Here…
Posted: 16th, September 2007 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (655) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
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September 16th, 2007 at 11:20 am
75. Judge Dread Says:
September 16th, 2007 at 11:14 am
710 - OK point taken, although its hard to know what is sarcasm and what is not.
Ee Gads! Call the lobotomy police!
I realize tea is popular in your tiny charming kingdom. You may like to try a beverage called ‘coffee’. It is sipped in Mediterranean and Latin countries where satire, quick wit, dark humor, double entendre, puns etc….etc…etc….are understood and freely enjoyed by people of all walks of life.
September 16th, 2007 at 11:20 am
(44) Gressin and (55) Anonymous
Gressin I thought for a minute you were on Laptop Number 2 in Gerry’s box room.
Why does Team McCann feel the need to release pictures of the happy couple. They are not the victims in this. Madeleine is.
The only thing I find a tad fishy is the “Renault McCann”. If she was moved in the Renault McCann then I think it may have by with one of the Tapas 9 or one of the various relatives that flew in every other day when they were lording it up on a private jet on the way to visit the Pope.
Maybe they are innocent of this part of the jigsaw and the worlds media was spotlighting on them to yet another jaunt to another country, desperate to publicise their plight (and their online shop and millionaire fund)
September 16th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Of course anonymous I hadn’t thought of that! I thought it was something technical………
September 16th, 2007 at 11:18 am
The debate was because the McCanns have Pinochets lawyer… that’s because he is a good lawyer.
The McCanns (Brits) wouldn’t be extradited as Pinochet would have needed to be (Chilean). The McCanns would be given around 45? days to go back and then they would arrested on an international arrest warrant as both Britain and Portugal are in the EU and they are EU citizens. Extradition is not an issue in the EU.
(Lets see if this post makes it! three proviously haven’t)
September 16th, 2007 at 11:18 am
Absolutely Judge Dread. And the “butter wouldn’t melt” effect was no doubt the effect the McCann PR machine was looking for in releasing these irrelevant biographical ‘evidences’.
September 16th, 2007 at 11:16 am
76 - No ones sending any
September 16th, 2007 at 11:16 am
76. Moderation Says:
September 16th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Mods and Admin..
My mails aren’t getting through. Any reason?
_____________________________________________
Do you really need to ask? It’s a classic frame up! You’re being bamboozled!
Facts, Moderation, Facts! Lookem’ up!
September 16th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Anyone know Kate and Ger’s star signs?
September 16th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Mods and Admin..
My mails aren’t getting through. Any reason?
September 16th, 2007 at 11:14 am
710 - OK point taken, although its hard to know what is sarcasm and what is not. There are probaly people who think butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth.
September 16th, 2007 at 11:13 am
71 Anonymous
I feel the need to bill you for a nw laptop. Reading your post I started laughing spraying a mouthfull of coffee all over my brand new pride and joy.
PMSL
September 16th, 2007 at 11:11 am
45 - 46
The press don’t give a damn about our children, either because they are from too poor origins, or because we have identified paedophiles or corruption at a too high level. Journalists take what sells and misery doesn’t sell. Further more, sending in prison people whose friends pay for the publicity in newspapers is very bad for business.
http://www.droitfondamental.eu is thus for the organisations who see heavy cases rejected by the press. It is amateur journalism, nothing perfect but we do our best so people know more about the networks and how to protect their children.
Victims are usually from very modest origins and don’t know how to express themselves. Trauma very often genders severe dyslexia, so they cannot even write something understandable. This is why they need help.
About the McCann, it was really stupid of them to make a normal company, but I would not like to be in their place for 20 million pounds. Who is that criminal lawyer who has advised them? If they had known about the networks, they not only would never have left their children a second alone, but they would never have imagined a normal company.
Before I met this world, I found normal to see children going to school alone. Now, my hair raises when I see children alone in the street.
September 16th, 2007 at 11:11 am
God, as if it needs explaining *rolls eyes several times*
Was she carrying roses?
Did the groomsmen all wear matching colourful cummerbunds?
I can’t believe those bloody Portuguese. Haven’t they seen the photos?
September 16th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Todays paper….. wine and everything else. but of course EVERYTHING is speculation until the PJ release formal information.
http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/sunday/2007/09/16/exclusive-brit-cops-to-quiz-kate-mccann-98487-19796880/
All the same old stuff is being dragged up again so I’m off to do some work!
September 16th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Ah hmmmm………Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte (having lots of names always means the person is of remarkable character, honest, refined and above reproach) was was framed by the non-Catholic (Pinochet was a good Catholic - Look it up! Facts people!) British doctors who were treating him for chronic cryptochism.
His arrest was shocking to the entire world because he’s a Sagittarius and we all know how fun loving, easy going and magnanimous Saggies are. They’re ruled by Jupiter and Jupiter is benevolent, as are all who are born under this happy sign. It was a massive international stitch up! (Kate & Gerry, Stay strong and Godspeed….Godspeed!)
Facts, facts, facts…..look’em up lazy bones!
September 16th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Er, Judge Dread, I feel a little silly having to explain this but - as I think Annika and Anonymous both picked up on - I was being SARCASTIC and trying to draw attention to the complete irrelevance of wedding photos to a child disappearance a decade later.
September 16th, 2007 at 11:05 am
68 Moderation
You were comparing Chile to Portugal.
To compare Pinochet to the McCanns is another issue entirely just as to compare the two cases.
Very easy to jump on others then to change not only the goalposts, the playing field but also the sport.
September 16th, 2007 at 11:01 am
was he an EU citizen then? If he had taken Spanish nationality it would be different. However, I don’t think that is correct. He was Chilean to the best of my knowledge.
If the McCanns were say Australian then the 30 day order wouldn’t apply.
September 16th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Gressin are you for real.
Peter Sutcliff was married, Harold Shipman was married, and so were a whole host of others.
Or is it only married men that are capable of neglect and murder
September 16th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Moderation (51)
Go to google and type in McCann 16 bottles
4 bottle of wine is what they admit to
September 16th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Not only is Kate wearing a wedding dress of pure snow white with a comely veil symbolizing her submission to her husband. But Gerry is wearing a bowtie.
Men who wear bowties are thoughtful, kind and loving.
Case solved! Everyone go home!
September 16th, 2007 at 10:55 am
61 Moderation
It was Spain that wished to extradite Pinochet.
Facts facts…. look em up.
September 16th, 2007 at 10:54 am
Why would McCann state that the shutter had been jemmied when it patently had not been damaged?
September 16th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Tony Bennet…. extradition does not apply with Portugal as it EU.
Chile was completely different!
Facts facts…. look em up.
September 16th, 2007 at 10:51 am
Ah ! the discrepancies in the timeline.
Again a press piece but it does question the witness statements.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23407950-details/Madeleine+and+the+missing+hour:+how+often+did+the+McCanns+check+on+their+children/article.do
September 16th, 2007 at 10:50 am
the page: http://www.flutgut.com/maddie/
September 16th, 2007 at 10:49 am
Not enough words for all this mystery. See this web page for some comments without words.
September 16th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Profile of Michael Caplan Q.C., the high profile lawyer now assisting the McCanns (URL below). He successfully fought extradition attempts by the Chilean government to return General Pinochet to Chile to face charges for his alleged crimes, including the deaths and ‘disappearances’ of thousands in Chile.
His previous experience might come in very handy for the McCanns.
The McCanns have previously said they will return to Portugal to face further questioning, or if they are charged. But suppose Michael Capaln Q.C. advises otherwise - and stronly suggests that they remain in the U.K. to await extradition proceedings (on which he is an acknowledged expert). Then Gerry and Kate could say: “Well, we wanted to return to Portugal, but are remaining in the U.K. on legal advice”.
Caplan’s massive fees up to £100,000 will now be paid by Sir Richard Branson - well, 25 days’ worth, anyway, at £4,000 a day:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6995499.stm
September 16th, 2007 at 10:45 am
Jacqueline de Croÿ I totally agree with you
September 16th, 2007 at 10:44 am
44, I just hope the Portuguese JP have been shown these pictures. It’ll blow their case right out of the water.
Dear God Mother McCann you’re right!
All my doubts, fears and wavering-on-the-pointy-fence-thoughts that Kate and Gerry were culpable in Madeleine’s disappearance have magically vanished since viewing those very touching photos!
I pray the PJ have gotten hold of these pixs too! Do they have UPS or Fed Ex in Portugal???? (Shhhh: it’s such a backwards country dontcha’ know?)
In fact, I am no longer a lapsed Catholic. I am going to go to church today for the first time in 15 years.
God bless you Sky News!
God bless you Kate & Gerry!
God bless us everyone!