Madeleine McCann: ‘Bad Dad’ Gerry McCann, The Psychic Barber And Drugs
MADDYWATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann.
DAILY EXPRESS front page: “Madeleine was drugged but it was by kidnapper says her grandmother.”
Page 9: “Madeleine’s family: She was drugged…but not by parents.”
Eileen McCann, Gerry’s mother – says: “I really believe they [whoever took her] gave her a drug. There is no way they carried her out of there without her waking. If she was taken when she was sleeping by somebody she did not know, she would have screamed the place down.”
Alternatively, she was taken by someone she did know? Or Mrs McCann is just speculating.
“’BAD DAD’ GERRY” – Carlos Anjos, head of the Portuguese Police Federation, says Gerry, “a heart consultant”, is a “negligent father”. This is his “astonishing rant”.
THE SUN front page: “Mystics hunt for Maddie.”
Around 150 leads provided by mystics have been followed up.
Page 6: “ASK PSYCHIC BARBER TO HELP FIND MADDIE” – Clairvoyant Gordon Smith has been contacted by the family. Smith hosts TV’s Most Haunted show. He says he can tell if Madeleine is alive or dead. Mick is nicknamed “THE PSYCHIC BARBER”.
DAILY MIRROR front page: “McCANNS: SHE WAS DRUGGED.”
Page 5: “‘Madeleine must have been drugged..she would have screamed place down’” – GRANDMOTHER EILEEN McCANN YESTERDAY.”
“Couple call on psychic to help” – Ex-hairdresser Smith is a “wacky medium”.
Says he: “In order for it to work I need to sit with the closest relatives who would be the parents. Then I’d tune in and see what I can pick up. But I would always warn them that there’s a possibility nothing might happen.”
Best to warn them of that first…
DAILY MAIL page 5: “Now police leader mocks ‘negligent’ Gerry McCann over his fears that an abductor was in Maddie’s room.”
“Call for the ‘psychic barber’” – “Despite both being strict Roman Catholics, the couple have already made contact” with Gordon Smith.
DAILY STAR front page: “MADDIE I’LL FIND BODY IN DAYS. Parents call in psychic.”
Page 7: “MADDIE’S PARENTS CALL FOR PSYCHIC BARBER” – “I have offered my help for free,” says Smith. “I never charge for private readings. I have already assured them I will say nothing to the press.” Indeed, not. Best save it for the book.
DAILY TELEGRAPH page 15: “Police chief accuses McCanns of hindering inquiry” – Carlos Anjos accuses McCanns of using “diversion tactics”.
THE TIMES page 27: “McCanns ‘considering psychic help’”
THE GUARDIAN no Maddie new today.
Madeleine McCann: A Life In Headlines
Posted: 2nd, October 2007 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (1,268) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
Comments
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:59 pm
449 - Jolie, in the past the broadsheets (Telegraph, Guardian, Times, Independent) were the quality papers in most respects, as opposed to the tabloids (Sun, Mirror, Mail, Express). These days, sadly, there is very little to chose between them when it comes to ethics. They are all capable of the most extraordinary sensationalist nonsense.
A few years back, a friend of mine worked as a correspondent (through an agency) for the British papers. He was asked to invent stories based on fictitious headlines by not only the tabloids but even the Guardian (!!!) Interestingly (considering he was quite left wing by inclination), the only paper he had much respect for was the Telegraph which did actually go to some trouble to cross check his stories. The others never did.
The day he was told by the Guardian “I don’t care whether it’s true or not, we just need 400 words by 3 o’clock” was the day I lost any illusions about tabloids and quality dailies being fundamentally different to each other (or worth anything!)
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:58 pm
430
I dont blame the portuguese police for this frustration. I dont doubt our police are acting under pressure from our Gordo of the poo colour. Some in the UK police have been known to make a few mistakes and cover a few things up themselves. Wehave plod too you know.
This whole thing stinks. I have never seen suspects treated like this, with people with far more money than they deserve dishing it out to defend child neglectors (not libel, they admit that).
Im tired of people saying that the Portuguese police keep coming up with more and morehair brained theories, just because they dont like what these theories infer. Investigation must have theories - if they just assume abduction, then they will be ignoring a range of possibilities. Perhaps that might suit some people.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:55 pm
443. Harry Hind Sight Says:
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:44 pm
But does it give meaning to their limited lives - I fear not.
No Harry it does not, but apparently it gives them something to do…
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:55 pm
438, Stevo
I have never seen you giving verifiable stories Stevo, you are a speculator like everyone else. If you don’t like the links then don’t read them. I only see you getting angry when someone says something that doesn’t fit in with your theories. Like I said twice before wait and see if the report is picked up by other papers.
Also an excerpt from an article in todays telegraph,
“…Mr Amaral has reportedly investigated only two child murders in his 26-year police career and he is facing a criminal hearing for allegedly concealing evidence, after a woman jailed for the murder of her daughter claimed police officers tortured her into making a confession.
Leonor Cipriano, 36, claims she was forced to kneel on glass ashtrays with a bag over her head as police repeatedly hit her during almost 48 hours of questioning…”
Now Stevo is this the kind of man you would want investigating the disappearance of your child. I certainly wouldn’t. The man should have been suspended and not allowed to work on any other missing child’s case.
And feel free to read the whole article from the telegraph at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/02/wmaddy202.xml
as you seem to like links so much.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Jolie - you ask why I am here. It is a good question. I guess I just enjoy reading the musings of the collection of err …. [no Harry do not be judgement]individuals who post here. It has been a real insight into the wilder shores of the human thinking. Workmates to whom I have recommended this sight have been shocked by the nonsense posted here, but all I can say is that I am enjoying it.
Carrying on truth hounds
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:53 pm
I’m from the US so am unfamiliar with the specific reputations of the British media. Does someone have the time to give me a run down?
Here in the US, the best known trash tabloid is ‘The National Enquirer’ whereas ‘The New York Times’ or ‘The Washington Post’ are highly reputable and considered (as far as corporate media can be).
When reading the British press articles about the McCann case, I’d like to be able to evaluation the validity of the information somewhat based on which publication it appears in.
Your help will be much appreciated.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Someone on The Mirror forum today asked:
“Is the island of Portugal in the European Union?”
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:48 pm
443 Harry Hind Sight
There are a lot of people on this forum who only started coming to Anorak because of this case. Lumping us all into one group of same-thinking individuals isn’t valid.
And BTW, why are you here then?
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Maria 432, the abduction explanation is certainly the simplest. But the fact that there appears to be no forensic evidence that there was an abduction means that it ceases to be the simplest explanation. I agree that some of the alternative explanations beggar belief but that doesn’t alter the problems with abduction, made the more troublesome because of the McCann’s behaviour.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:45 pm
436 - Sunny
Here’s your posts from 2 days ago. With your links (oh but remember you haven’t been posting in here long enough to do links). It shows how bloody obnoxious you are as well. I hope it jogs your poor memory:
684 - Get a life buddy and go collect money someplace else. Retired LOSER!!!
715 - 693,
I am not narcissistic enough to list my accomplishments on some poxy on-line forum. Anyway Anonyomous what are your accomplishments besides reading the oh so boring 10 page posts by none other than MR TONY BENNETT himself http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP5e15prSZY
ENJOY!!
767 - 750,
Portugal Swingers Society,
sorry make that Tony Bennett, Anonymous and Stevo. Here they are
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-eqDirhLq8 doing their thing.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:44 pm
The more I read of this story of The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann, the more I feel for the three YOUNG, vulnerable and helpless children who were left on their own. I, too, am a mother and would have normally felt huge empathy for her parents, but I just feel so numbed by the thought that two grown people in the medical profession would not have considered first ALL of the things that could have gone wrong in their absence. Can you imagine if one of the twins had simply taken ill while they were away - surely, Madeleine would not have known how to attend to such an emergency?
The fact that the children were left alone and unsupervised - save for what I assume to be quick checks on them every 25 minutes or so (if we are to believe what we read) - aside, I question the reaction of parents who become aware of the disappearance of a 3-year-old girl in a strange country and whose instinct is to notify the media of her ‘abduction’ before notifying the local police. Hell no. If she had just wandered off, who was more likely to first come to the rescue of a child lost in a strange country - the police or the media? Time is precious when anyone goes missing, let alone a foreign little girl who may have fallen into the hands of predators.
Madeleine, God bless your little soul…wherever you are.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Why resort to psychics? So many people ‘FEEL’ that there is something wrong here. Gut feelings. No amount of spin or PR will change that.
Why haven’t Social Services brought charges for neglect ?
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:44 pm
The downside of the abduction by stranger theory is that it is just not exciting, or plain weird, enough for the Anorak gang, who dwell in a hate filled world of paranoid & conspircy, where nothing can be taken at face-value, but must be fitted into an over arching, and preferably, global conspiracy.
But does it give meaning to their limited lives - I fear not.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:44 pm
292 maura
If you put more than one link to a website in a post the software that posts comments to the thread seems to automatically hold the post for approval.
If you only put one link in your post it should appear straight away. At least that is my experience
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:43 pm
439. Rosemary
I think you are right.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:42 pm
I suspect Clara Torres was working for the police
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:40 pm
365, Hulk
This is very strange, because the girl in the first (blurry) photo that was sent to the papers, looked like Madeleine, the face from the find madeleine campaign poster.
Later photos showed Boushra, the Moroccan girl. Someone is playing games.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:38 pm
433 - sunny
No, I was just defending myself from your comment that I was lying when in fact it was you that lied.
You cherry pick information and present it like you’re the bearer of some revelatory news we haven’t heard of. When you look into it or challenge you on it you get the ‘ump and spit your dummy out.
Start presenting proper verifiable stories and more people would welcome you into the discussions.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Sunny… come on, onto the naughty step with me and Maura!
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:37 pm
426,
Martin Brunt is a journalist whether you like him or not. I have no opinion on him.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:35 pm
At least Harry Hind talks sense, even if no-one else does…
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:35 pm
426 - Anonymous the 1st
And Brunt did what pro-McCanns complain about. He came forward as soon as he had that information and didn’t waste time telling us.
And you know what? His source may have been telling him the truth…
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:35 pm
425,
that post was not from a blog but from a readers comment from a newspaper. Giving one incorrect example hardly puts you in a position to judge my posts. Lay off Stevo and go bug someone else. Also I thought you loved Anonymous and seemed to agree with her on everything, she is always sends posts to Paulo Reis. Like I said lets just wait and see if the other papers pick up this report.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:34 pm
A single visit. Working.
Why do many Anorak posters feel the abduction theory can’t possibly be true while so many others feel it’s the most likely?
All the other DIFFERENT theories are very complicated, varied, convoluted, even contradictory. They depend on a whole lot of different assumptions, sub-theories, coincidences, unlikely elements, Paul Daniels-type magic disappearances etc. etc. all coming together to fit one of several different guilt suggestions. Some depend on fascinating Dan Brown-type conspiracy theories and exciting P D James-type plots. All depend on superb and sustained acting, in varying styles, by the main protagonists, worthy of several oscars.
The abduction theory is just one simple explanation. Doesn’t abduction by person or persons unknown fit all the known facts? Probably, as the expert detective said on the Sky programme, abduction by one or two males for paedophile use probably followed by murder.
Sadly, the simplest explanation is most often the correct one.
IF there was genuine DNA and/or sedation evidence to the contrary, as opposed to just suppositions or suggestions, obviously things would be totally different.
I ask the question because I presume the McCanns would have been charged if there was evidence of their guilt. I’d like to know what the Portuguese are waiting for? I can’t imagine they care two hoots about the UK view. Wouldn’t the judge have ordered them to be charged if he thought there was actual evidence? And surely the twins would have been removed by now if there was evidence that their parents sedated and/or killed their eldest child and are, in addition, guilty of desecrating their child’s body and memory, obtaining money by false pretences, wasting police time, duping the world etc.
If there isn’t any evidence yet, what’s all the fuss?
Being made an arguido isn’t enough to be assumed guilty. Look at Murat.
Talking to other people and reading comment in the press etc. I get the impression that most people accept the abduction theory as the most likely. At most, you find a couple of people who say “Well, I suppose we’ll never know the full truth.” I’ve met two such, one in a dentist’s waiting room (and even he said he felt sorry for them even if they had had an accident because their lives were ruined anyway) and another who is an old friend and somewhat anti-doctors in general!!
What’s different on this forum??!!
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:32 pm
414 - sunny
You are like the other pro-McCanns in here that think you post some dubious link to some crazy article that fits your faith and then you try to bemoan those of us that are actually quite interested in finding the TRUTH.
Like I say, I will always back up my evidence or stories…it’s a pity you can’t do the same.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:32 pm
From the Telegraph, a broad sheet no less -
“The Portuguese detective heading the inquiry into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has launched a breathtaking attack on his British counterparts, claiming they only investigate what the missing four-year-old’s parents want them to.”
As if breaking their own secrecy laws were not enough, they have now turned on our own police force. Hardly inspires confidence what what. Still, when in Rome etc
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:32 pm
Someone earlier mentioned that the 1.30 time stamp on the last Maddy picture seemed strange.
What is their explanation for this? They would have known that Portuguese and English time are the same (you get told this by the aircrew on your flight.) I assumed that their machine was adjusted to English wintertime (i.e. that the machine didn’t adjust itself automatically when the clocks change in late March). But surely, if this was the case, their machine would be an hour ahead, not an hour behind. 1.30 British (and Portuguese) summer time is 2.30 GMT. In otherwords, the last Maddy picture is from 1.30 at the latest, not 2.30 (unless the time was always an hour wrong of course.) And it is still not clear to me if there is any evidence that anyone saw Madeleine after that.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:32 pm
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/oct/02/yehey/opinion/20071002opi6.html
I posted this yesterday, but for those who might have missed it…..
The parents of the Geraldine claimed that the body was that of their daughter. Police later said that the victim was kidnapped, raped and killed after negotiations for ransom failed.
The police conducted a nationwide search for the suspects and the child’s nanny, Marites Ontog, who was also missing.
From several places, they arrested several suspects, and four of them—Ramil Diorico, Renato “Rick-Rick” Bohol, Joey Igos and the alleged mastermind Henry “Hemlet” Tesado—are now facing charges of rape with homicide at the Manila Regional Trial Court.
The suspects were tagged by their supposed cohorts, Rosdam Mesias and Domingo Agnote, who turned state witnesses, and a certain “Berta,” who said that she personally saw how Geraldine was raped and then killed.
Then a bizarre twist developed.
Chief Inspector Alejandro Yanquiling head of the homicide division of the Manila Police Department, is now saying that Geraldine could still be alive and the body found in Manila Bay could be that of another child.
What was more shocking was Yanguiling’s theory that the child’s father, Gerald, could be involved in his daughter’s kidnapping or even murder.
He based his suspicion on the records of St. Paul College, where Geraldine was enrolled, which showed that the girl was 3 feet, 10 inches tall while the body inside the suitcase was 4 feet, 2 inches.
According to Yanquiling, a mole on the victim’s back was Gerald’s only basis for saying that the body was that of their daughter.
With the consent of both parents, the body was dug up the other Monday but the result of another autopsy would not be forthcoming until after a month. Although the parents said that the exhumed body was that of their daughter, the National Bureau of Investigation said they will have to wait for the results of the DNA testing before they could confirm the parents’ assertion.
If the DNA samples taken from the body would match those taken from the parents, then it was Geraldine’s body found in the suitcase; if not, then the child could still be alive and could be hiding somewhere with her nanny.
Either way, Geraldine’s father would still have a lot to explain. Based on their investigation, Yanguiling said that Geraldine was a neglected child. He also raised the possibility that Gerald sexually abused Marites, forcing her to get even with her employer by abducting the child. Gerald, however, denied the accusations and maintained that his daughter was a kidnap victim.
Was it Geraldine in the suitcase or is she still alive with her nanny hiding somewhere? Has Gerald something to do with her disappearance and even murder?
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:32 pm
The most troubling thing about the McCann’s and the way they have made a spectacle of their daughter’s disappearance is that they have handled things so irresponsibly, with such bad taste and poor judgment.
Sometimes I think the only purpose they serve is to teach others how to connive their way out of properly caring for children.
Better to leave things in the hands of the police. Their judgment, though imperfect, is far superior to anything I have witnessed from the McCann’s.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Brunt had half an hour on TV to summarize this case and didn’t…at least not more than one side of it…despite the fact that most people don’t believe it.
That doesn’t make him a journalist…but a mouth piece.
I’m sure you don’t agree Sunny….