Madeleine McCann: Missing Hours, Found Again And A PR Disaster
MADDYWATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann.
THE SUN front page: “MADDIE DAD AGONY. Fiend hid from Gerry. He was already in room he tells cops.”
A source close to the family says: “When Gerry went to check on Madeleine at 9.05pm he realised the bedroom door was open. Gerry is firmly of the view the abductor was already in the apartment.”
It’s another theory.
“When he went in he saw Madeleine was asleep but the bedroom door was slightly open. He thought, ‘That’s odd’ because he had left it firmly closed. But all the children were asleep. So he just went in and closed the door again and came out about 9.10pm.”
Good to hear Gerry McCann joining in the mood of speculation?
“Gerry is convinced the man must have been hiding, and once Gerry went through the patio doors the only way out was through the window. The front door was locked so the kidnapper took Madeleine and climbed out the window.”
DAILY MIRROR front page: “HOW SHE WAS TAKEN. The McCanns’ story.”
“Stolen to order after being spied on for days
Abductor hid in flat as Gerry looked in on kids
He got in through patio doors and out by window”
Gerry is a “heart specialist”.
Says a source: “When Gerry leaves, the man realises he has only a few minutes. He thinks the only way to get out without being seen is through the window.”
And: “Initially he thought Madeleine might have got up and gone to the toilet, or to get a drink or something.”
So what has changed? Why a new theory now, with a new spokesman on hand and the McCanns named as suspects?
DAILY STAR front page: “SEVEN HOURS TO KLILL MADDIE. Police probe her ‘lost’ final afternoon”
DAILY EXPRESS front page: “MADELEINE: THE MISSING SEVEN HOURS.”
Police sources reveal that “despite exhaustive inquiries they cannot confirm the whereabouts of part-time GP Kate, 39, and her daughter after 1.29pm on May 3”. A source said Kate’s movements were “unaccounted for until she sat down to have dinner with friends at a tapas restaurant within their holiday complex at around 8.40pm”.
The last photograph of Madeleine was said to have been taken by Kate at 2.29pm on May 3.
DAILY MAIL: “McCanns: What we really did in the missing six hours.”
“Madeleine had high tea at 5.30pm with staff at the Kids Club. She was picked up shortly before 6pm by Kate and Gerry.”
The friend insisted: “Kate was never alone with Madeleine that afternoon. There were always other witnesses present. These details were all given to detectives during police interviews, so they know what Kate and Gerry said happened that day.”
So no missing hours, then?
THE TIMES front page: “MADELEINE McCANN: Matthew Parris laments a PR disaster.
“The fatal flaw of David Cameron and Kate and Gerry McCann” - Our correspondent looks at the baleful influence of the marketing men.
“Look what they’ve done to Kate and Gerry McCann. Here were two people deserving of the most intense public sympathy. On a superficial level they got it – by the media bucketload. Yet did you not sense from an early stage an undertone of irritation at the couple? I’ve sensed it everywhere I go: not a sign of doubt about their innocence, which most of us take for granted, but a feeling, nevertheless, that they in some way invited trouble – though we banish the thought as brutal and wrong.
“Which it is. So why the ungenerosity? I believe it is because Kate and Gerry McCann have allowed an impression to arise that they and their advisers are marketing their own tragedy. Where we would have expected to see parents distracted and disorganised by grief, we have seen a professionally run campaign to find out what the media want, and give it to them.
“This has been done for a most defensible reason: to enlist the entire European public as amateur detectives in the search for Madeleine. But now her parents have ended up looking like film stars in a Hollywood weepy.”
“Put up or shut up, Madeleine McCann police told” - Friend of McCanns counters claims of ‘lost’ six hours before girl vanished
DAILY TELEGRPAH: “Madeleine McCann: Gerry certain he was in bedroom with kidnapper”
THE GUARDIAN: “From prime suspects to hounded victims - how parents turned the media tide”
Posted: 22nd, September 2007 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (1,536) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
Comments
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:39 pm
1015
If there was clear evidence given to the police why are they still looking for the missing hours?
Before mc canns were accused why wasnt the cctv footage shown, instead of a collection of photos from the past?
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:36 pm
1014
Indeedy
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:36 pm
997 1001 brandon
That was a serious question. i should have left out the making babies bit. I’ll ask it again - what happens when the Vatical does this withdraw thingie? What does it mean? Does it mean (with the benefit of the confession info too) that they also believe their fragrances are lying bastards? We should be told…
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Where is there a link for the missing priests return?
I cant get anything past 19 sept and he was still awol
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:36 pm
1006 Lets be clear Tony Bennett.
Maddie was last seen just before 6pm, when she left the creche and possibly as late as 6.30 on CCTV, which could easily be confirmed by the police should they choose to.
This information is a reliable as just about anything from May 3rd, which the police have blocked any conversation about.
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:35 pm
The date of the ”Disappapearance” is significant………….
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:35 pm
1007 - Your figure represents donations to date. It does not includ thousands of pounds added in interest received while in the bank.
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:34 pm
998 simon
Have to agree. He seems to have been posting her round the clock. Probably exhaustion.
Ade, you keep on about the “fragrant couple” with so long without a shower, you might want to give it a rest and have one lest you be accused of the same condition.
While you’re having it, tip your head sideways and put a funnel in one ear and hold that position for at least 10min, because what is between your ears needs a bit of a clean more than the rest.
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:34 pm
1006
completely agree
As a mother, after all this time I would be blaming Gerry and Oldfield and demanding answers, I would suspect them as their checks were flawed.
I love my husband, but i love my kids more and after all this time doubts would be sown, and especially Oldfield!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:32 pm
1006, Tony,
The morning news showed up here instead. YES.
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:31 pm
998 simon
Nice to see you start on you shift. I thought the iPod angle was quite original (not a word used much in McCanLand, I fear). I thought the spot a name thing was OK too. Too good for you lot obviously as all you can do is be personal. I presume the Simon comes from your deeply religious beliefs - or your birth certificate.
I suppose I’m bored because thir fragrances haven’t really done much lately, exept talk themselves into being the only suspects. Smart PR that. Anyway you might like to answer that moderation found difficult. the morocco questions. Otherwise, is it true that katiepoo has lost the plot completely and they are about to separate?
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:28 pm
1002 We will never know.
They have the semi-transparent fund for Madeleine, the turnover for which is online.
Then they have the donations from an unknown number of benefactors. It is unlikely we will ever know the true extent of these.
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:27 pm
£1,036,104.17 in the maddie fund not to mention all the bods who have donated to the personal bank of Gezza for legal fees. I have not donated a penny to either, luckily, as I strongly feel that they should sell their posh house to pay their own way. Who’s fault is it anyway?
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:27 pm
THE MISSING 8 HOURS AND 31 MINUTES
This period is now being referred to as ‘the missing 6 hours’.
But let us be clear, it is a missing 8 hours and 31 minutes when Madeleine is not seen by anyone who can be relied on. That is, from the photo at 1.29pm to 10.00pm, when the screaming McCanns claim she has been abducted.
Just to recap, the picture of sullen, sunglasses-wearing Gerry, one of the twins and a smiling Madeleine is taken, according to the McCanns’ camera, so we are told, at 1.29pm. We are told by ‘a source close to the McCanns’ that because of a one-hour time difference that this was really 2.29pm - but reports suggest the PJ treat this as 1.29pm.
We’ve had the following claims about Madeleine being seen after then:
1. In the kid’s club/creche from 2.30pm to nearly 6pm. We are told by Team McCann that there are ‘reliable witnesses to and records of this’ [if so, I wonder why they haven't yet been produced?]
2. Seen dancing with her father on the esplanade, then coming in to a beach-side cafe for an ice-cream, then eating a meal with the other members of the family and other friends at the cafe (source: ‘Daily Telegraph’ 19 Sept). Yet now we are told that the footage is ‘grainy’ and the restaurant owner can’t be sure it’s them. Hmmm.
3. Madeleine was at the kid’s club while the four men of the Tapas 9 were at a ’social tennis event’ from around 5.30pm onwards.
4. Claims made that Kate McCann was seen and recorded on CCTV ONLY WITH THE TWINS in a cafe around 6pm [we haven't heard much about that one recently].
5. Gerry McCann and Dr Oldfield checked on the apartment between 8.30om and 9.30pm and assert that they are ’sure’ that Madeleine was there although early reports said they had not actually seen Madeline and she might have just got out of bed for a pee or gone off to get a drink or something like that (I am summarising a lot of contradictory tales from the two men here).
It seems like DESPERATION from Team McCann over the last 2 days has made the McCanns come up with this new snippet:
[Source: 'Sunday Times']. QUOTE: Sources close to the family [again!] say that David Payne, one of the holiday party, saw Madeleine being put to bed when he visited the McCann apartment at 7pm. Previously the last confirmed sighting of Madeleine was at 2.29pm when a photograph of her and Gerry was taken at the swimming pool”. UNQUOTE
POINTS:
1. Why has the reclusive David Payne come up with this one *144 days* after Madeleine’s ‘disappearance’?
2. Did the ‘Sunday Timnes’ journalist actually *speak* to David Payne - or rely on what the ’source close to the family’ told him that David Payne had said (or was supposed to have said)
3. Did David Payne make a statement to this effect to the PJ back on 4 May - namely that he had visited the apartment around 7pm and seen Madeleine? If he did, why doesn’t the ‘Sunday Times’ mention this? - it would have given him greater credibilty
4. What was he doing there? According to the McCann publicity machine source in the ‘Daily Mail’ on 19 Sept, Oayne, Gerry McCann, Oldfield and O’Brien were with their tennis rackets and balls at a ’social tennis event’ from 5.30pm onwards. When did this ’social tennis event’ finish? We are not told. What did they all do afterwards? You would have thought that they would have gone back to their apartments, had a shower, and then changed for a booze-up (sorry, a meal) with friends. Why did David Payne go to the apartment anyway? For how long? Wasn’t Kate MCann busy ‘tucking the children into bed’ at this time?
5. I think I am right in saying that if we now include David Payne’s claim, all four of the Tapas 9 men are now placing themselves in the McCann apartment at some time between 7pm and 10pm that evening. That in itself is a very interesting fact. But if are they telling the truth that they had all been in the apartment some time that evening, what exactly were they doing there? Are they telling us the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Let’s hope they will do so one day. Under oath.
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:27 pm
It is time to make coffee and wait on the morning paper Anorak. Be back later.
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Is M and S sponsoring K wardrobe?
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:26 pm
931 atropa
what the judge said is quoted verbatim at post 776
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Just how much money have the McCanns been given at this point?
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:24 pm
997 LOL
believe me doesnt work
we are enouraged to use other bits during fertile periods now
my husband loves this new rule
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Sorry for my absence was writting my lengthy e-mail to Brian Kennedy.
Probably won’t have any effect but I tried.
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:19 pm
#992 Just_me,
I haven’t looked but it is interesting what you say about Mr. McCann’s blog, yes. Does that mean he isn’t looking for Madeleine either? I don’t know.
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Ade, what’s happend to you mate. You used to be entertaining to read. Your material this morning wouldn’t get you a gig at a Portuguese policeman’s ball.
Try harder. In the absence of the tiniest piece of evidence against the McCanns, we are relying on your quick wit to keep us interested.
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:17 pm
As a non-catholic (non-religion type) please can someone explain what a “Vatican withdrawl” means and how is it important in this context?
I assume it is not a form of contraception
Sorry - couldn’t resist that in the boredom vacuum of the current McCannics’ complete retreat…
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Ade I have to give you top marks… this is the best cyber-tantrum I’ve ever seen from a grown up. I’m assuming you’re a grown-up? Keep it going….
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:13 pm
992 just me
Not to mention what they are spending the loot on. I was not daft enough to contribute to their Cayman Islands pad…
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:12 pm
I hope Stefanie brings some pictures.
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:11 pm
987 Brandon
The missing preist is apparently not missing see 565 according to erm…
moderation (erm.. McCann) who says (s)he does knitting in Praia
i have just tried to contact Father larry Duff who is presiding over a funeral at an animal crematorium but his mobile phone seems to be switched off…
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:10 pm
very strange it seems to me that the ‘Gerry Show’ blog, aka findmadeleine hasnt been updated for quite some time now. Is it that the McScam clan have seen the posts claiming the unimportance of his daily jog are not what the site is supposed to be about, and therefore there is no point in updating?, after all there is no mention of how they are progressing with the actual search. Perhaps if one of the clan is looking in today, they can remind Gezza, that we the caring public would be very interrested in the updates!
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:10 pm
963 Maria
Fine post Maria. Funny, last night I too was thinking of bowing out. I have covered the key points I wanted to.
I seriously believe Perception of Risk should be covered in school. It is crazy that people, governments and officials can have vastly distorted perceptions of the reality of the likelihood behind various dangers and risks.
Leaving the kids in the apartment is the one central thing that has been driving the insane hatred and vilification we have seen here, because people have an emotional belief in the risk it involved, rather than a rational assessment of it.
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:08 pm
987 There is no missing priest…. both are in Praia.