Madeleine McCann: Blonde Child Seen In Morocco
MADDYWATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann.
DAILY MAIL front page: “Could this be Maddie?”
Readers see a picture of a child being carried on a woman’s back - “The intriguing picture being probed by Interpol.”
Pages 10 and 11: “Could this really be Maddie?”
This is the picture of a girl “in the clutches of a group of Moroccans”. The picture was taken four weeks ago near Tangiers by Spaniard Clara Torres.
DAILY MIRROR front page: “MADDY IN MOROCCO?”
Readers see the same picture. The Full “astonishing story” is on pages 4 and 5.
Pages 4 and 5: “COULD IT BE?” Less the full story than another question.
“GERRY: I KNOW WE WILL BE CLEARED” – Gerry McCann says he and his wife “wanted to be eliminated from the enquiry as quickly as possible”. Some news.
THE SUN front page: “MOROCCO PHOTO SENSATION. IS THIS MADDIE?”
The picture is “sensational”. It has been described as “convincing”, but by whom is not said.
Pages 4 and 5: “GERRY & KATE: IT COULD BE HER – MADDIE PARENTS HOPE AT SIGHTING SENSATION.”
Clara Torres is talking on Spanish radio. She looks at the photo. Says she: “It sent shivers down my spine.”
DAILY EXPRESS front page: “NOW A ‘PHOTO’ OF MADELEINE IN MOROCCO.”
‘Photo’ is placed in quotes lest readers mistake the picture for a ‘SNAP’ or a ‘SHOT’.
Spanish Government official Jose Herrero Arcas says: “The National Police received a photograph by email taken by a young Spanish couple who believe it shows Madeleine McCann. The quality of the photograph is not very clear and it was taken from around 200 metres away. However, the National Police are taking the claim seriously enough to have sent it on to their colleagues at Interpol. I cannot give any more information than that.”
DAILY STAR front page: “MADDIE – AMAZING PHOTO IN MOROCCO.”
Pages 4 and 5: “MADDIE SEEN IN MOROCCO – Bombshell new photo is probed by Interpol.”
THE TIMES front page: “Police start investigation into ‘picture in Morocco of Madeleine McCann’.”
Page 5: “New photograph shows child like Madeleine on African woman’s back.”
A source close to the McCanns tells one and all: “The McCanns are not going to get their hopes up until the photograph has been sent for forensic examination.” And, dare it be said, a DNA test.
DAILY TELEGRAPH front page: “Is this Madeleine in Morocco?” The search for the missing child has taken a “dramatic turn”.
Page 9: “Gerry McCann is “confident” he and his wife will be cleared. A source tells us: “It is very unlikely that British police would question the McCanns on behalf of the Portuguese now.”
Robert Murat responds to claims by nanny Charlotte Pennington that on the night of Madeleine’s disappearance he was by the McCann family apartment: “I certainly was not there that night. At no point was I there.”
THE GUARDIAN & THE INDEPENDENT no Maddy news today.
Posted: 26th, September 2007 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (1,153) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
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September 27th, 2007 at 5:50 am
Baby-listening “services” seem to be a UK phenomenon offered by hotels in e.g Blackpool, Cornwall, Devon, York, Suffolk and Cumbria. Some advertise it as a “service” and others state they use “computerized” room monitors.
Some US hotels advertise a “baby listening device”, i.e. a room monitor attached to a portable receiver.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:25 am
1038 Jolie says: “It still amazes me that there has not been official condemnation, if not legal actions taken, of the McCann’s actions in neglecting their children by British social services…”
Jolie, people bring this up time and again but even though UK officials are free to condemn a practice that’s widespread and has gone on for a long time, I don’t see how they can rightly come down on the McCann’s in particular for following an pre-established pattern.
First off, can UK prosecute citizens for behavior abroad, in Portugal?
Second, Mark Warner resorts and probably other resort chains like it charge money for what the McCanns and their friends chose to do themselves. The resort offers a ‘baby listening service,” for which “nannies” walk around the complex listening, at intervals, at apartment doors. This seems to be a socially accepted way for Britons (and others?) holidaying in Europe to have their children monitored. It’s probably been going on for years. Does not seem like a prosecutable offense in the UK or in Portugal (not until some law is brought in to ban it).
Presumably the nannies are sober whereas parents may be drinking. But still, now that this event has happened, isn’t it up to countries hosting these resorts to ban the entire practice of “baby-listening”?
Thirdly, the very fact that the resort does offer this service probably encouraged the McCanns and friends to believe, all week, foolishly, that this was a safe way to monitor their children.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:04 am
989 Vera
On their own, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with those photos. For the sake of their two youngest, it is important that Mr. and Mrs. McCann do not ignore them. They need to give their best attempt at providing a normal growing up period for these two. And I’m sure delighting in those two fresh faced youngsters does them a world of good, no matter what the circumstances of Madeleine’s disappearance were. Even in dark times, we can find moments of joy.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:00 am
It still amazes me that there has not been official condemnation, if not legal actions taken, of the McCann’s actions in neglecting their children by British social services and the call taken up by other nations.
I still can’t comprehend how an educated mother, who is a family doctor, would think it was acceptable to leave three very young children unattended. She would have to know of the potential dangers these kids could be exposed to without adult supervision to intervene. Willful neglect, not ignorance, is their burden to carry and be branded by.
September 27th, 2007 at 3:28 am
But they can’t because that is not what is going on in their minds. Every one has sent them support by saying they leave their children alone all the time too. Not sure where this happens…
September 27th, 2007 at 3:17 am
889 Carmen
Have you ever heard the phrase ‘ticked off’ used as meaning checking off a list (as opposed to its more common meaning of being angry)? I did think this phrasing odd, but I can’t imagine the priest would allow himself to say to a media interviewer he was angry with his bishop for asking him to turn the church key over to the McCanns. That would be career suicide for that comment to be printed.
906 Momo
The only thing that would make me suspicious about the bishop asking the priest to give the McCanns a key to the church is the possibility that higher ups connected to the McCanns put the pressure on the bishop to make those arrangements. That idea makes me uneasy.
904 Andy
Thanks for putting up the link to the article about how funds from the Find Madeleine campaign fund are being spent. Nice for Mr. McCann not to have to work for a living any more. As long as Madeleine’s missing, he can take his salary from the fund, until there’s none left. Although as someone earlier mentioned, it might be difficult for him to return to the same line of work he was in–people need to trust and believe in their doctors.
946 brandonflours
I think it’s much too late for an apology from the McCanns at this point for it to be believable. Even if they had a change of heart and meant it, it would probably be perceived by many as just another tack taken by their PR campaign–to address issues that the public has with the couple that cause them to appear guilty and unsympathetic. But I wouldn’t mind them coming out and saying it loud and strong, for the benefit of other parents who leave small children unsupervised: “It was wrong of us to do that. We made a dreadful mistake and error in judgement, and we’ll always be sorry for that. I hope that other parents will learn a lesson for this to prevent a tragedy from happening in their own families.”
September 27th, 2007 at 3:11 am
American - East Coast - non Brit unless you want to count my Mayflower peeps.
Stevo - the WV incident is indeed horrific. After spending time in Eastern KY I am assuming it is much like WV snd never saw much that was impressive. If she were my daughter I would be on the verge of murder right now… or would that be revenge?
Maddie caught my eye and attention because
1) Daddy went through the FBI Academy & USMC MP Investigator etc. in the 50’s and 60’s and I have this doom and gloom worst case scenario always hanging over my head. He was a joy to live with when he wasn’t in another Country.
2) He’s usually right.
3) Have that damn armchair detective gene.
He called it on Devon Epps and he’s right. Also in US if a child has died or disappeared you start with the parents and work from there unless there is compelling evidence to suggest otherwise.
Don’t see any compelling evidence.
September 27th, 2007 at 2:28 am
murder i think so too
all words on the face of it arent lies
actions beneath maybe
where are tanner and ob?
they diposed IMO when in rome
i think t and ob were the druggists, the helpers and the disposers
K and g were up for a neglectful night away from kids
innocent?
in their eyes ?!!!!!! denial
i still want photos of the suitcase and spades day 6 may
September 27th, 2007 at 2:14 am
Karen - I think the desperate need to get to a priest or the church on the night of May 3 says A LOT.
And like many others, I think getting the Pope to bless the photo of Madeleine says a lot too.
Slyfox here suggested Gerry might not have known the full story - that Kate and probably O’Brien may have known more - or worse - than he did. Remember that very strange phrase ‘We are both 100% convinced of EACH OTHER’S innocence’.
I think that’s possible, if improbable, within the parameters defined by what’s in the public domain now.
One related thing that really strikes me is that nobody seems to have commented on the fact that the O’Briens had use of the car - and were still at the McCann villa, having stayed on with the McCanns after May 4, when Kate & Gerry were on their European tour.
So maybe Kate & Gerry really DIDN’T transport the body in the boot of their hirecar ‘5 weeks’ (PJ) after May 3. 5 weeks after May 3, the McCanns weren’t even in Portugal.
The O’Briens were, though, and nobody was watching them (the press had all gone off with Kate & Gerry).
I think its even possible that Kate and Gerry are in fact BOTH innocent of everything except criminal neglect and unnecessary sedation (abuse). If you look at the timeline, it could just have been O’Brien and Tanner, or O’Brien and Murat (who claimed to know O’Brien, though O’Brien denied this; they were in Exeter together just before the holiday, where they had mutual friends - who knew the O’Briens were going to PdL, and that Murat lived there).
Oh, last thing for all the Catholics - I read somewhere that K&G didn’t once make confession (to a Catholic priest, anyway) during 4 months in Portugal. I thought this was rather strange, especially as they were regularly taking communion.
And I understand that a confessor can in fact discuss problems he has with a confession he has heard, with a superior in the Church. I’ve wondered why the Vatican removed the Madeleine links from their website before anyone else… though that could also have to do with dicussions between senior policemen and bishops in Portugal.
September 27th, 2007 at 2:05 am
Goodnight, again.
September 27th, 2007 at 2:03 am
1035. Also for P.R.s six repetitions is some kind of golden rule, eg. if you want someone important to come to a party of yours, you will probably have to invite him to 6 parties before your name registers with him.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:58 am
Yesterday I said psychologists say if you repeat something six times in six social situations then you might start to believe what you say is true.
Aldous Huxley said in his book the Devils of Loudon, that if you say something 3x the world will believe it’s true.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:49 am
Ah, well, if you’re all off I shall go too.
Sad, though - it is a sign the case is losing it’s fascination. And then poor Madeleine will just be another unsolved case getting covered in True Crime magazine.
Night.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:48 am
1033
denial
who said deny something 6 times and youll believe its true?
someone yesterday and someone famous
September 27th, 2007 at 1:45 am
I was alone with my Gran when she died and I prayed a chaplet of Divine Mercy and the Priest told me that would be enough since she was a regular Church goer.
Not that I think Kate would do anything that gross - but for a 3 year old prayers from a parent would be acceptable (though it wont do them too many favours if they killed her and then covered it up).
September 27th, 2007 at 1:45 am
me too
nite xxxxxxxxxxx
September 27th, 2007 at 1:44 am
karen i am 35 and have 2 teenage daughters (hence how he was discovered)
and since meeting my husband at 16, i have never felt such a ripple run through me than when he performs!!!!!!!!!!
He’s a star
hes a good boy 2
September 27th, 2007 at 1:43 am
catch you lot tomorrow…off to see some telly…
September 27th, 2007 at 1:41 am
1028 - Karen
I’m in America but the folks here have enough missing kids to worry about Madeleine. I’m a Brit but they can’t understand the intensity of the coverage in the media. I’m not surprised…neither can I.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:39 am
Where are all the Americans? Have they given up with the story?
September 27th, 2007 at 1:39 am
1021 - Karen
Thanks…I was in Glasgow a few weeks ago and didn’t know that term.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:37 am
1012. He is cute. I like skinny boys with eyeliner. I went to see them when they played in Glasgow and my G.B.F. practically had to be dragged off him. Very embarrassing.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:37 am
1022 - firestar
I shared a flight sat next to a Theology Professor one time. I asked him how someone like him taught that the miracles in the Bible actually occurred. He said “well if they didn’t occur, why write that they did?…it wouldn’t make any sense if they didn’t occur”.
Yeah right….and like the McCanns this professor was no doubt earning a load of dosh to go round the world imparting those gems of wisdom.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:36 am
i reckon maddie was buried at sea when they flew to see the pope and her photo was blessed, after a suitcase hiding in the church on may 6th
remember gerry left with asuitcase and spades
put into hire car when it was getting low key etc…..
I think the priest had a slight suspicion and then lost the plot when k got arrested
IMO
September 27th, 2007 at 1:35 am
1015
i agree with that.
theology could be described as the science of keeping non-believers within the church.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:34 am
A Weegie is a person from Glasgow. I am a Paisley Buddie.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:32 am
1018 - Brandonflours
Like I said yesterday, who would be so brazen to walk around oblivious to the world if they had abducted Madeleine. Of course it wasn’t Madeleine and using common sense, everyone knew it wasn’t. Trouble is, there’s not a lot of common sense out there where the McCanns are concerned is there?
September 27th, 2007 at 1:31 am
Incidentally, I thought I would mention, a four year old wouldn’t get the last rites - they wouldn’t have made their first confession or taken their first holy communion yet. The Priest would go to comfort the child and the parents, but if the kid is baptised then there would be nothing the Priest had to do except say a few prayers and perhaps her parents would take communion if they hadn’t been able to go to mass.
Also, as long as the host is blessed, anyone, with the permission of the church, could give the body of Christ, but not the blood (which has to be blessed on the spot).
Also, they could ask the Priest to bless Madeleine where ever she is, which would take the sting out of her not having a funeral.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:29 am
1017
not another nickname for GERRY?
September 27th, 2007 at 1:29 am
Morroccan girl is not Madeleine…
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/26/wmaddy826.xml