Madeleine McCann: Clarence Mitchell Speaks, Make Madeleine History And Breastfeeding
MADDYWATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann.
DAILY MAIL pages 10 and 11: “Madeleine cried for 18 hours a day. Kate tells of the special bond forged in the painful days of early childhood.”
Kate McCann is speaking with Portuguese magazine Flash!. This interview took place before Kate McCann was named as a suspect in Madeline’s disappearance. Kate says the first six months with Madeleine were “very difficult”. Madeleine had colic. “I had to carry her around permanently,” says Kate.
What does it mean, this interview that has “emerged”? That what you tell magazines can be taken out of context and used in evidence against you, or something else?
THE TIMES page 9: “McCanns go straight to the top in search for powerful backers.”
Gordon Brown is being kept abreast of the investigation on Kate and Gerry McCann, possibly by reading the British press and watching the news bulletins.
(Is any MP still wearing a yellow ribbon?)
The McCanns have a new spokesman. He’s called Clarence Mitchell. He resigned as head of the Government’s Media Monitoring unit to take this new post.
Mr Mitchell once offered: “There’s a whole level of debate taking place online which simply didn’t exist before and departments feel they need to be fully engaged in that.”
Look out for Kate’s blog.
DAILY MIRROR front page: “THE TIDE TURNS.”
“McCanns WON’T be ordered back to Portugal says Judge”
“Gordon Brown briefed on the case”
“New spokesman will declare Gerry and Kate innocent today”
Clarence Mitchell says: “They have nothing whatever to do with Madeleine’s disappearance.” And as the McCann’s new spokesman he should know.
Pages 4 and 5: “RAY OF HOPE.”
Madeleine has not been found but Kate and Gerry McCann will not have to fly back to Portugal for more questioning.
On the downside sales of the “Look for Madeleine” wristband are not going well in Portugal. In “LOCALS REJECTS ‘FIND HER’ BRACELETS,” this year’s Make Poverty History band is being turned down at a car boot sales in Praia da Luz.
Says one ex-pat: “It’s as if they want to forget something so horrible happened.” Or buy something less with their money?
Says another: “We can’t understand how they can carry on jogging after losing Madeleine. Gerry went to a hairdressers a few weeks after she disappeared and continued tennis lessons. The Portuguese feel they should b hysterical.” But not the British, who understand reserve…
THE SUN front page: “MADDIE COPS SLAPPED DOWN. KATE BACKED BY JUDGE. Mum won’t be hauled back to Portugal.”
Judge Pedro Anjos Frias rejected Portuguese police calls for the McCanns to return. “He is thought to have ruled the case to flimsy to justify the move.” Or, to put it another way, he has not received sufficient evidence to be convinced of the need for a trial.
Pages 4 and 5: “COPS CASE COLLAPSING.”
And: “McCanns tell Brown: We have solid defence.” Gordon Brown’s reaction to this news is not known.
THE INDEPENDENT page 32: Thomas Sutcliffe says the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has been “yoked by journalists to another kind of story – the primal faction of fairytale”. Here “the beautiful child is swallowed by something that has emerged from the dark”.
It is, is it not, every child’s worst nightmare.
Page 4: “Kate McCann ‘will not be reinterviewed in Portugal’.”
DAILY EXPRESS front page: “MADELEINE POLICE CASE FALLS APART.”
“Judge refuses to recall the McCanns”
“Impossible to detect sedatives in hair”
“But slurs against the parents continue”
Slurs?
Pages 8 and 9: “My struggles to control Madeleine – BY KATE MCCANN.”
As told to Flash! magazine. The twins arrive. “The worst thing is that she started to demand lots of attention, especially when I was breastfeeding them.”
DAILY STAR front page: “MADDIE ALL SEVEN McCANN PALS IN FRAME.” The seven dwarves, to continue Mr Sutcliffe’s analogy?
“Cops set to name them as suspects.”
Pages 6 and 7: “BRIT PALS ALL SUSPECTS.”
The Tapas 9 are in the frame. This will put the lid – the tapas – on the case. Right?
“Maddie cops jet to UK as group face grilling” – Portuguese police are “planning” to come to the UK to continue the investigation. British police will conduct interviews.
DAILY TELEGRAPH page 8: “McCanns to be interviewed by British police.”
Kate and Gerry are also keen to reach Gordon Brown. A source tell the paper: “The McCanns do not expect help or influence to be exerted on their behalf but want to get messages to the very top that they are innocent.”
Does Brown read the Telegraph?
THE GUARDIAN page 35: “Never mind the high street: Branson sells his Virgin Megastores.”
No mention of Madeleine McCann, granted, but this news one day after Branson pledged to help the parents clear their names looks like interesting timing?
Posted: 18th, September 2007 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (1,047) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
Comments
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September 18th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
I dont think the Mccans, or their family Team, have any special media, political or fund-raising skills or connections - they have merely lived off the natural sympathy that all decent people have when it comes to a young child going missing.
Its the sympathy of those key people (eg. branson) which they’ve then been able to rely on to subsequently get them access to other people (eg. newspaper editors, Vatican etc.
As for Gordon Brown, the sympathy thing also applies as he’s also a father but I’ve also read that Gerry “James Bond” Mccan’s father was a Labour party MP or activist, which may have also helped.
He’s spoken I think twice to Brown and the foreign minister over the last 5 months, but look how they play it up as “being in close contact” with the prime minister.
I know of several people who were “in close contact” with a former prime minister, and they were investigated for several months by the Police for selling peerages for cash etc (ok, they werent’ prosecuted due to ‘lack of evidence’ but doesnt mean they didnt do it).
Knowing the PM doesnt mean they’re not guilty.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
(821) Canada:
Link for the McCanns petition that states they possibly aren’t innocent:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/GuiltyOrNot/index.html
September 18th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
817,
I have already stated on this forum what I believe and I do not need to repost it. I don’t mind at all if you have a different opinion to mine but we can do without the histrionics.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
(821) Canada:
Link for the McCanns petition (innocent):
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/L00kforMadeleineMcCann/
September 18th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
(813) John:
It’d be a poor abductor to go through the work of going through a window if the doors were left unlocked. I know some people believe the back door can be seen from Tapas bar and will argue it was the back door that was unlocked, not the others, making it more plausible that the window was the point of entry, but if I remember the first statement from the parents correctly, they claimed the door had been forced into (if they could see the door from Tapas, they’d see what was happening probably and see the door ajar). So it is possible the front door was the point of entry. Just speculation of course, I have no idea.
Plus, they found blood on the windowsill, I believe, so one has to question why they didn’t go out the door they came in and act like they were carrying their child. Lots of questions.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Link to Rothley woman’s comments on McCann’s negligence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfnqSdgwxH0&NR=1
September 18th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
820 - my name will certainly not be on this petition! WTF?
September 18th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
The abbreviated accounts will be published at the registrar of companies for the first 12 months. These will not be due until 10 months after the first 12 month period. You may have to wait until March 2008, sorry.
Unfortunately abbreviated accounts are a balance sheet only, no reference will be made to where the cash has been spent.
I for one reckon that the money in the fund should be transferred to a trust with independant trustees where the family will have no rights over the money but campaigns to find maddie or other missing children will be expended at the discretion of the trustees.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
819 - Oh Brother!!!!
September 18th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
Just found this, and I still can’t believe it. Are we allowed to start a petition to state we believe they are guilty and pressure the government to stick their fuckin nose out of a police investigation, especially one being done in another country?
Powered by iPetitions - start your online petition now Gerry and Kate McCann are innocent.petition text signatures email friends
The petition
This petition is set up to help support Gerry and Kate McCann as they battle to clear their names, in the media, at home and in Portugal. It will be used to convince the government that we believe in their innocence and to sway them to pressurise the Portuguese police to continue to look for Madeleine McCann.
Sign the petitionFields marked * are required.
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Display my name as anonymous on the signatures list
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September 18th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
780, The Real Stig,
I agree about the von Aesch possibility.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
(812) Puzzled:
Sorry, Puzzled. I hope someone can answer that, I have no idea how that would work. It would be interesting to see that.
I know some people were asking yesterday if the fund, not being a charity, will be taxed something like 20% if they just let the money sit there. I can’t recall the response to that question, but there are a lot of things to consider with the fund being run that way.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
nononethere Says:
September 18th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
787- oh brother!!!
Yes?? Do you have something to add here? I’d love to hear it!
September 18th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
814 Garth
Do you have Tourettes?
September 18th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
812 (John) NOT ME! There was no abductor.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
806
What dickhead!
September 18th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
To be fairly honest, the Judge has had that rather large file for 8 days now. If there was ANYTHING in those papers that incriminated ANYONE, I feel he would have been calling the shots by now.
The evidence is there …. but not quite there ………. NOT ENOUGH TO CONVICT ANYWAY!
All I can say is … Madeleine … your day will come!
September 18th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
Who is convinced that the abductor entered through the bedroom window?
September 18th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
Another question on the Fund if anyone can help. As it is set up as a Company will it ever have to publish accounts?
Would be very interesting to see how much was spent on what, eg. would it include new clothes for the Papal visit, tennis lessons etc?
September 18th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
Think about it.
A group of people, meeting in london, planning a holiday in Portugal at least 10 involved, just to murder a tot. I dont think so, there has to be more to this, more in the way of ££££££££££££££££
Hence my theory that this is a case of child selling.
Its a bit ambitious but its the only thing that makes sence to me.
The child was made to order and the whole escapade was planned from the date of conception.
The parents, the witnesses, the transporter and the fake abduction.
any comments?
September 18th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Somehow I hope that the public is kept in the dark about the details for the sake of the independent investigation, but not that dark that it feels like a one way street. The Prime Minister may show symphathy to people who’ve lost their child, but in a role of a private person, not in the framework of being a Head of State and to try to influence on the investigation. Isn’t that called corruption?
A quick look at some Scandinavian media gives an advanced theory (not stiched up hereabouts) about what might have happened to Madeleine and where her body might have ended. This I couldn’t yet find in English. Nor the now common knowledge that the Portuguese investigators had arrived in the UK.
Also I read the man who had a pet incinetery (??) business came to rethink about a “cool Polish couple” who said they had two dogs in their bags to get rid of.
Furthermore, the mcCanns are repeatedly quoted as devout Catholics which may hold the key to Madeleine’s disappearance (but didn’t they just convert)…
The Finnish police has offered their highly trained cadaver dogs for the search of the girl’s body in an understanding that Portugal doesn’t have own cadaver dogs. Cadaver dogs are reliable to only react to the scent of a dead human body, not to other temptations. The stronger the dog’s reaction, the stronger the scent. They are used as reliable indicators, it’s the investigation that collects the subsequent evidence. Don’t doctors wear white coats at work btw? Who would wear the same clothes on holiday anyway, it was wondered. No campaigning pro or against was noticeable but all “information” leaked was there wide open. This is such a major mystery now followed up by people around the World, and particularly in Europe. It can’t possible be interrupted for political reasons or by lobbying but everyone is expecting an independent investigation. I haven’t been to Portugal but I’d hate to see this attempt to spoil Portugal’ s reputation as a safe tourist resort and as a civilized Europen Union member to be delibarate.
Yet it was considered a safe tourist resort by the mcCanns themselves so they felt safe to leave 2/3 year olds alone at night (and day, so why bring the kids with you). Does anyone believe these kiddies would fall asleep instantly, simultaneously and so deeply they slept through the night as people were loudly seeking Madeleine around them, er, without a little help?
September 18th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
Wouldn’t it be right up them if there was good evidence from mobile phones…
September 18th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
(796) Puzzled:
“But if iit is possible for them to extend the fund to other people, then I would ask which is more important ’supporting the McCanns’ (surely they have enough support already - eg. Richard Branson etc.) or finding other unfortunate missing children.”
I fully agree with you.
I have no idea who picked the directors/executors of the fund, good questions though. I also don’t know who voted on what where the new advertising campaign is concerned, I’m not sure if they all have to agree, I assume now as when the question of legal fees came up, they voted against it and the fund does include the following:
“The directors of the company are Peter Hubner, Brian Kennedy, John McCann, Michael Linnett, Esther McVey, Doug Skehan and Philip Tomlinson. They have appropriate legal, business and charitable experience. An experienced Fund Administrator has been appointed to ensure the highest standards of transparency and accountability. This should enable the Directors to maintain an appropriate governance distance in the day-to-day operations of the Fund.
The Board and its individual Directors will ensure that the Fund is subject to required financial legal scrutiny. They will ensure that they receive reliable external advice and information, as the basis for making good decisions.”
Brian Kennedy and John McCann are the two family directors of the fund.
(797) Mary:
Lol! I know, please no libel! I would hope such comments would get off with the defense of fair comment, as most people on here are basing their facts on the reports of “legal publications” (meaning journalists who claim they check every fact, etc.). But you never know…I don’t think this should turn into an attack of rights on the McCanns or the public though, this is about finding Madeleine. I know one common thing is the “right to a fair trial”, but I suspect that with a bit of work one could find a few people in Portugal and the UK who have steered clear of this highly publicized case.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
My current estimates of involvement:
Kate 97%
Gerry 96%
O’Brien 80%
Tanner 65%
Others 60%
of which…
Murat 50%
The mystery yachtsman 15%
If anyone can be bothered, I’d like to see any other estimates.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Murder 802
where did you read that Murat admitted to knowing O’Brien? Are you making this up because I did not read that in any paper, including the Portuguese ones that I have looked at.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
(799) Thanx M&A - so basically anything goes on Thursday …. we shall just have to wait and see!
September 18th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
787- oh brother!!!
September 18th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
I think Murat has admitted to knowing O’Brien, though, strangely, O’Brien contradicted this.
Both were in Exeter shortly before the holiday, where they have mutual acquaintances.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
796 - Mary - OUCH!
September 18th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Sorry guys but i believe the mcanns, maddie is alive and well. Maybe the cops have got it wrong.
I still believe that she was made to order, after all Gerry is not the daddy, they were in holland where all this goes on, and they are a pair of money magnets.
I believe that maddie was drugged, hidden for a time, and then transported via Roberts cruise trips to her destination to meet mummy and daddy.
The Mcaans are money grabbing, fame and attention seeking sociopaths but i dont think that they would deliberatly hurt the children, there is too much cash involved. Actually i think that most of the tappas 9 and robert is involved. Not aunty phil though, much too thick. not too sure about gerry though.