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
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September 23rd, 2007 at 5:54 pm
1228 Thanks.I’m an Apple addicted. If you don’t do anything, the batteries last even longer.
Somebody on this forum with a mac that works four hours on batteries?
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:53 pm
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SPEAKS OF THE PJ’S ‘SMEARS, SLANDER AND DIRTY TRICKS’
The on-line edition of the Sunday Telegraph today has this story:
“Madeleine McCann: Police Chief breaks silence”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/23/nmaddy123.xml
The paper edition, however, on its ‘News Analysis’ page, has a full page headline: “Smears, slander and dirty tricks”.
At first I thought this must refer to Team McCann - but, no, it is about the Portuguese police.
And as the online headlines suggest, it is allegedly based on the ‘story’ of Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa, who resigned two weeks ago as the PJ’s chief press spokesman in the case because he couldn’t control or be held responsible for all the leaks.
As always with McCann stories, it’s important to look at who is supplying the information. I had a look.
Two sources are quoted:
1) a former police officer (!) and
2) ‘another investigator’ who has spoken to Mr Sousa.
The central claims made in the article are that Mr Sousa admits that:
1) the PJ were deliberately leaking stuff to see if it would prompt the McCanns into making a confession or somehow incriminating themselves
2) the PJ evidence against the McCanns was “at best flimsy, at worst supposition”.
I personally doubt whether Mr Sousa holds those views and I consider it at least a possibility that someone has paid for these stories i.e. paid the ‘former policeman’ and the ‘investigator’
THE MAIN CLAIM MADE IN THE ARTICLE:
Is that Sousa was “exasperated with the constant leaks from junior officers who, in exchange for extravagant meals, were willing to either reveal snippets of confidential information, or to embroider vague facts if they felt that was what their moles in the Portuguese media wanted”.
THE POLITICAL DIMENSION
The fact that this case has been highly politicised is clear from this comment in the article by Francisco Louca, of the ‘Portuguese opposition party’, who says: “The leaks to the press of some details that are supposed to be classified have been used as an easy way to manipulate and shape public opinion”.
An ‘anonymous politician’ added: “It is clear the leaks have been used in a battle to turn public opinion against the McCanns and convince people they are guilty when there is no concrete evidence to support this
THE MCCANNS’ PUBLICITY MACHINE
Several comments about this in the ‘Telegraph’ article:
“It was not slick in the early days…The truth is that it has not been, until now. In Praia da Luz, it was little more than a borrowed fax, two mobile telephones and Gerry McCann’s Apple laptop…the McCanns had only one official spokesman (!), provided and paid for initially by the Foreign Office”.
“Last week that PR machine became a six-strong team, top heavy on legal experts and media representatives…the couple swiftly assembled a world-class team of lawyers”.
THE MCCANN’S RETALIATION TO THE LEAKS
The ‘Telegraph’ journalists say: “Mr Sousa must have know that the McCann retaliation would be brisk and based on sound facts” (!).
CLARENCE MITCHELL’S ‘SUCCESS’
In the artic we learn that: “Mitchell - canny, erudite and well versed in media hardball - succinctly rebuffed the flimsy evidence against them, telling the Portuguese authorities to ‘put up or shut up’.
====================================================
COMMENT: re ‘succinctly refuted the flimsy evidence against them’.
RESPONSE: soiled nappies, rotting meat, the abductor in the apartment with Gerry, David Payne’s sudden recollection of being at the apartment around 7pm, the ‘social tennis event’ which Kate McCann both attended and didn’t attend, the new attempt to smear Robert Murat…all in one week
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:51 pm
1225 Well done your lordship
Mrs Doyle has prepared a nice cup of tea and some sandwiches
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:48 pm
1223 milisoreja
I dunno what computer they had but:
Apple MacBook laptops have a battery life of 4 hours plus - depending what you are doing. You can charge them in a car if you have a cigarette lighter attachment
As far as the phone call goes look at my thoughts on 1167 1168 1169 1190 - saving his own skin and career I think…
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:44 pm
1205
1220
Freemasons, Jehovas, opus dei, jetsetera.Im afraid if they are all in the same saucepan, there must be some sex behind it. Have you seen the film’ ‘Eyes wide shut’ by the late Stanley Kubrick.
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:44 pm
1124 They will be filled with moral outrage……………………but only after the McConns have been safely absolved of any responsibility in their own case. Until then - who cares about ANY other people or their kids?
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:41 pm
As I exclusively predicted (post 620)
(Can I make a prediction for the next announcement out of Camp McCann? How about “We never thought Murat had anything to do with it and were appalled that he was hounded”. This despite trying to turn the heat up on him in the last 2 days. Odds anyone?)
This from Auntie Phil today (in between cakes and whoppers):
“But surgeon Gerry’s sister Philomena - who has regularly spoken on the couple’s behalf - welcomed the news about Mr Murat.
She said: “The poor man - the police have seen the error of their ways. If there’s no evidence, they are doing the decent thing in clearing him. And if they think he’s innocent, that’s fine. It’s good to see the man’s name can be cleared.”
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:36 pm
It will be interesting to see how the gutter press react when other children are found home alone.
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:35 pm
Back again:
Nobody interested in the new production from ‘Lies Unlimited Company’ in the Sunday Mirror?
Is nobody interested what Gerry and Mr.Brown were gossiping for 45 minutes during the Mccanns car trip to Fatima?
Does somebody know what make of computers the Mccanns are using? They must have very long lasting batteries in their labtops.
Is there any information about charging the labtop batteries in Fatima.In the bar? in the church? in the grave yard?
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:27 pm
1221 bc
Didn’t change the sheets either. Staff say no spare sheets. Bit like wearing morgue-stained clothes on holiday a la smell of death…
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:25 pm
1214
I meant to say as well
9.30 O’Brien finds his child sick but is back at tapas by 10. I do not know where his apartment was but thats not very long to stay with a sick child.
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:25 pm
1205 every stone unturned
All about sex? Shurely there mush be shome mishtake…
http://cuddlecat.com/
Coincidence or what?
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:21 pm
1217 ola
George Formby - very shifty eyes…
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:20 pm
“(…) a window cleaner” ? lol
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:15 pm
one more millionaire donor + 2 lawyers
http://dailynewspaper.co.uk/
Madeleine McCann millionaire donor named
By Caroline Gammell in Praia da Luz
Last Updated: 3:15pm BST 23/09/2007
The multi-millionaire behind Kate and Gerry McCann’s bid to clear their names has been revealed as Brian Kennedy, a double-glazing magnate who started life as a window cleaner.
# Madeleine McCann: police chief breaks silence
# In full: The Madeleine McCann case
The McCanns face the media
Mr Kennedy has offered to pay for lawyer Ed Smethurst, who works inhouse for the businessman, as well as the McCann’s official spokesman, Clarence Mitchell.
Born in Edinburgh, the 47-year-old said he was spurred into action after hearing about the “quite literally incredible” accusations being levelled at the couple.
The McCanns, both 39, are official suspects in their four-year-old daughter’s disappearance and were questioned at length by Portuguese detectives before flying back to the UK.
They said they would go as far as selling their house in Rothley, Leicestershire, to fight claims they might have killed their daughter and would not touch the fund set up to find Madeleine.
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But support has come in the form of multi-million pound backers.
Last week, Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson put forward £100,000 to kick start their legal fund.
Mr Kennedy said “In light of the quite literally incredible accusations against Gerry and Kate McCann, which are clearly exacerbating their emotional torture, I felt compelled to offer, along with other like-minded businessmen, financial support and the full logistical support of the Latium team.”
Latium Group, which includes the Wilmslow-based business dealing in plastics, glass processing, kitchens and home improvements, is owned by Mr Kennedy.
The owner of Sale Sharks rugby club is worth an estimated £250 million and involved in a number of businesses with an annual turnover of £500 million.
He bought the Everest double glazing business in 1999 for £47 million and then sold his stake in the company for £63 million in 2003.
The father of five was brought up a Jehovah’s witness and divides his time between his house in Congleton in Cheshire and a home in Spain.
His support has boosted the McCann’s legal team.
They have employed top lawyers in both Britain and Portugal, with the highly respected Rogerio Alves joining Carlos Pinto de Abreu.
In the UK, Michael Caplan, QC and law firm Kingsley Napley are assisting the couple.
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:15 pm
1210 no worries firestar
I know a bloke in the pub who can extradite you to the bahamas… He was called Cliff or Webb or something and he was singing a lot. Was congratulating someone I think…
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:13 pm
I know newspapers get it wrong but if the time line in the Guardian on 8th Sept is to be believed it is a bit odd. Concentrating only on those I find relevant:
8.30 Gerry & Kate arrive
8.45 Russell O’Brien arrives with Rachel and Matthew Oldfield
8.55 Paynes arrive
9.0 Gerry goes to check on Madeleine
9.05-9.20 (9.20 because he got back to tapas at 9.25) Chats to TV producer
9.10 Jane Tanner has just left her sick child to join the group at tapas bar. She see what may be an object being carried or could be a child
9.25 Gerry back at tapas
9.30. Oldfield goes to checkon his own child and offers to check on Gerrys even though he has only been back 5 minutes
9.30. O’Brien goes to check on own child. Tanner has been in tapas 15 minutes. O’Brien finds his child still being sick . (why did Jane leave child if it was that that ill?)
9.55 O’Brien comes back
10 Kate goes to apartment and finds Madeleine missing.
I find O’Brien and Tanners behaviour most odd.
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:10 pm
My “all over by Monday” is looking like it might even happen…
:-)
They’ve had a meeting with Social Services
http://www.recycledart.org/madeleine/node/1225
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:08 pm
If anyone wants to know why we are confused with the timelines, blanket/no blanket, pink pyjamas/white pyjamas, etc. - take a peek at this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wra0_xqRp24
Gerrypops has simply been emulating his hero - Georgie Porgie!
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:07 pm
1206 swannie
over 19000 when I just signed it…
This is my “public outcry” with knobs on. Leicester Social services will have to act…
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:03 pm
one of my neighbours says they saw me speeding through the village yesterday.
i didn’t do it, but i’m a suspect, so do we have any top extradition lawyers out there who want to help?
preferrably someone who has previously represented pol pot, hitler or the like.
i’m also soliciting for rich businessmen to help with my legal fees.
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:01 pm
1202 triffidfood
That is a seriously long way away from where they were allegedly dining, and the doors and stairs are competely out of sight of any of them and by the looks of it, you have to go out of the complex where the Tapas Bar is so who are they kidding when they say they were only a few yards/metres/feet/inches/millimetres etc away?
September 23rd, 2007 at 4:58 pm
triffidfood, i have posted that link before and it does clearly display an extreme case of negligence.
P.S. after i posted the link, moderation, rubbished the pictures and claimed they had been manipulated. Another one of his useless posts that he posts in between fondling himself no doubt
September 23rd, 2007 at 4:57 pm
1204 Mike
Or was it PJ?
Try it gerry - it’s your last chance of a new story…
September 23rd, 2007 at 4:57 pm
I see their first petition against the McCann’s for child neglect was rejected “because of bad language” (surprise, surprise), but there is now another, with over 16000 signatures already) at:
http://www.recycledart.org/Rejected+petition+-+Neglected+Children
Please sign this if you believe that what the McCanns did in leaving those three young children alone was indefensible.
September 23rd, 2007 at 4:56 pm
1191
This whole thing comes down to sex. You bet.
September 23rd, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Oj Did it
September 23rd, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Will they demolish the dreaded apartment like they demolished Fred West’s house in Gloucester?
Or maybe PR McCannLand could auction it off on eBay brick by brick, (is it made of brick?) and bit by bit. I want that magic bedroom door that hides invisible intruders and the haunted window that opens and closes when it feels a new storyline is needed.
September 23rd, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Quote> “Initially he [Gerry McCann] thought Madeleine might have got up and gone to the toilet, or to get a drink or something.”
Hmm …. well wouldn’t that mean, if Madeleine was able to do this (get up & move around the apartment), she’d equally be capable, had she woken up & decided for example to go & find her parents, of *leaving* the unlocked apartment/ complex entirely?
… which would have entailed walking out on to a very public street, completely out of the sight or control of her parents, dining at the tapas Bar.
(The Daily Mail did a really good photographic illustration of precisely what’s involved in getting from the Tapas bar to the apartments here btw~
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=474428&in_page_id=1811
….. not a paper I’d normally touch with a barge pole, but it at least illustrates very clearly that dining at the bar was a million miles from having “dinner in your garden”, as Gerry McCann has previously ludicously stated.)
Never mind theories about possible abduction, why leave 3 very young children in such a potentially vulnerable situation, for several hours, unless you felt absolutely *certain* they weren’t going to suddenly wake up? Whereupon absolutely anything may have happened, from having a fall or other accident, to simply wandering off, out of an unlocked aprtment & unto the street.
Just seems very odd to me……
September 23rd, 2007 at 4:50 pm
gerry and his spin tactics are an insult to midgets all around the world. Everytime I read a new release from team mccann It makes me believe they are inplicated in the death of poor mollie.