Madeleine McCann: Duarte Levy, Clarence Mitchell And The Daily Mirror
DUARTE Levy writes on the case of Madeleine McCann. He alleges that that Clarence Mitchell, the McCanns’ PR adviser, is “using the Government’s services to keep watch on journalists and forum participants.” Says Mr Levy:
Clarence Mitchell, the McCann’s PR adviser and spokesman, continues to make use of the British government’s services despite having officially resigned from his position as director of the Media Monitoring Unit*. The accusation comes from a Home Office source who has stated that the outgoing director had called upon his former service to keep a watch not only on several journalists but also on the behaviour of participants in a list of forums and blogs considered to be “highly detrimental to the image of the McCanns and that of the British government”.
Can what Mr Levy alleges be true? And if it is, why would it be a big deal for the McCanns’ spokesman to keep an eye on the web, and get what help he can? Mr Levy continues:
Clarence Mitchell, a former journalist for the Daily Express and the BBC, was seconded by the Foreign Office to act as a liaison officer between the media and Madeleine’s parents. Through the intermediary of the respective British embassies, it was he who organised the McCann’s visits to the Vatican, Madrid, Berlin, Amsterdam and Rabat.
Since the very early days, media monitoring has been an important part of Clarence Mitchell’s work. While the McCann’s were in Praia da Luz, it was he who decided to separate journalists according to nationality: the British first, and the Portuguese last.
Today, the McCann’s PR campaign relies more than ever on monitoring public opinion: over the past few days several UK forums and blogs have been shut down due to “anti-McCann” comments. Amongst them is the Mirror newspaper’s forum, which erased all comments about the case without warning when the participants started to debate Home Office interference.
No response from Mr Mitchell is quoted in Mr Levy’s email to us. But why did the Daily Mirror close its forum? Anyone from those forums care to tell us what they know?
Anorak’s monitoring team try to read all reader comments - of which there are thousands.
Posted: 27th, January 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (741) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
Comments
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January 27th, 2008 at 10:05 am
41 Sledgehammer
Well, you are such an interesting person, aren’t you? So moral, so erudite, so open-minded. A very fine fellow indeed!
January 27th, 2008 at 10:05 am
48
dcb
1 word for that article RUBISH
January 27th, 2008 at 10:04 am
About time too. I am almost 50 and have led a very interesting varied life. I have definitely graduated from the school of life, and yet the sorrowful, offensive, cruel things I have read on this matter have made me feel like a broken hearted, scared child, I was aware that some people were cruel, but I believed them to be a pitifully tiny minority, but sometimes the mobs filled with vitriol and baying for blood have damaged my faith in humanity. I have an idea of the odds, but no one knows, and hope springs eternal, I hope Madeleine gets to be hugged by her whole family again, and soon.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:03 am
33
jo
The P.J. said nothing
+ it’s not only the P.J. working in this case ,you ALL keep forgetting that the BRITISH POLICE IS ALSO INVOLVED IN THIS CASE
January 27th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Lori seemed to omit the “….or accidental death….”
January 27th, 2008 at 10:02 am
‘Last night the McCanns’ spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: “We are encouraged yet again by another reported sighting.”
What a pity he hadn’t bothered to keep up with the news from Chile; presumably Team McCann were all so busy planning the next steps in the campaign that they couldn’t spare the time to check whether it was in fact their daughter…
January 27th, 2008 at 10:01 am
A slightly different report from the one in the Mirror:
Portugese Police Admit Maddie May Have Been Snatched
Jan 27 2008 By Bruce Walker
PORTUGUESE police admitted yesterday that Madeleine McCann may have been snatched.
Detectives launched a review of the case after DNA tests on blood samples found in her parents’ holiday flat and hire car proved inconclusive.
The abduction theory gained strength last week with the release of a sketch of a suspect seen acting strangely near their apartment in Praia da Luz.
Yesterday police sources admitted dad Gerry and mum Kate may have been telling the truth about Madeleine’s disappearance on May 3 last year.
The couple remain official suspects.
A source told a Portuguese newspaper: “There are now two hypotheses - abduction or accidental death.
“With the results from the Birmingham lab, doubt was cast and the possibility of abduction resurfaced.”
McCann spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: “We welcome any movement by the police that accepts Madeleine was abducted because that is what happened.”
http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/uk-and-international-news/2008/01/27/portugese-police-admit-maddie-may-have-been-snatched-78057-20299636/
January 27th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Carmen, whatever are you ranting about, disrupt discussion because I refuse to condemn people without evidence, thats a novel way to cut the cake, my view that the McCanns are responsible for neglect is well documented. If you think that asking the anti’s to offer up evidence is disruptive, and that I will let your pet posters insult me with impunity you can think again, I have kept well within AGW’s guidelines and if you think I have not , say so.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:56 am
42
Carmen Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 9:52 am
*****************
You are totally right
We must keep in mind theiswhole sad case is bout madeleine”s personal tragedy
January 27th, 2008 at 9:55 am
“…But when eyewitness Gail Coop, who helped create the sketches, saw the scruffy man’s photo she gasped: “Oh my God, that’s so like him.
“He’s the spitting image of the man I saw three times at the resort where Madeleine vanished.
“It’s deeply shocking to see my drawing come to life. His cold, emotionless eyes sent a chill right through me.”
The 50-year-old granny added: “I thought there’d be no doubt in my mind if I saw him again……”
So Gail leaves enough doubt for the search to continue.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:54 am
good morning,
if cm uses the services of his former job, can someone tell me what this means legally?
I (have to) believe that truth will out, no matter who works against it. if cm really uses everything in his “power” to suppress the truth, he must be really scared.
I hope this year will see the end of this case and the perpetrators in court. I do think I know who they are.
waiting for rebelo,
lovemedo
January 27th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Logic, who knows I don’t, perhaps you do, I am glad that you find my musings worthy of such forensic examination.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Sledgehammer
So is the end of the forum? With all the antis well and truly shamed? And with regard to the organisation you speak for - the “we” you spoke of - is that to be disbanded as well?
January 27th, 2008 at 9:46 am
37
lyn Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 9:44 am
***************
Isnt the PJ witing the resultr for new DNA test?wasnt there an issue/controversy about this?
January 27th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Sledge
Your style and spelling seems to change subtly from time to time. But I’m sure we would all like to thank for that warning to “be careful” - which is no doubt what this latest news is all about.
Do you think that the PJ will issue a statement later today indicating that all their endeavours have been ill-founded and that the poor hounded pair are as white as snow? If the PJ now think they are totally without blame, and have indicated so to various “sources”, then this would be the only course of action for them, wouldn’t it? So I’ll expect an official PJ statement and apology later on today.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:44 am
The whole case stinks…ever heard of grieving parents going to so much length to appear how they want to in the media. Getting dirtier by the week this is. Money is pouring in, why are they not using the fund to find the other children too. Maddy isn’t coming back is she. When will the truth and the whole truth come out and put an end to this saga. It is all them, them, and more them.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Good morning everyone
Speech bubble suggestions please…
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj15/just_meme5/rifcopy-3.jpg
January 27th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Carmen, “We” refers to the seekers of truth and justice for Madeleine, as opposed to the lets get the McCanns at any price fanatics, akin to lynch mob rule. And as your boss AGW pointed out there, is a world of difference between debate and accusation without proof, with that I totally concur. I was under the impression you were here to moderate not deny me my right of free speech, as allowed within the law, perhaps I am mistaken there also, and your anti McCann bias is getting the better of you.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:33 am
28 Can’t say no
I totally agree.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:32 am
28
can’t say no Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 9:24 am
***************
Gmorning
A bit slow I am…whats the freack is happening now? the pj are saying…..?
Please,tell me this is NOT true…..
January 27th, 2008 at 9:31 am
12
noseycow Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Sabrina - I’m not sure myself that the all powerful CM had much to do (directly) with the MF closure
________________________________________________________________
No, not himself alone. But he has friends.
Remember when the Boing two weeks ago had an accident at Heathrow?
Who sat in the plane nearby? It was Gordon Brown and the Virgin Boss, who’s a devoted pro- McCann fighter, with two dozen other industry bosses.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:31 am
mrs bountyhunter says
Hi There Cant Say no. Wats the news from Portugal ? Since Mr Rebello took over, very quiet, good ! The Mcs are desperate to see the files, and to have Arguido status lifted, and then to take a lttle trip (perhaps permanent stay) lets say south of the USA borders. Argentinia did well for fleeing Nazi desperados.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:31 am
9
Sledgehammer Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Looks like that there could allegedly be a lot of egg on the faces of the pseudo nonsense barmy brigade, you know the sort of imbeciles, who claim that supporters of justice are supporting child neglect. You know who you are we know who you are, it just goes to prove you should never listen to a Danny Devitto correspondence school lawyer, or people who mix their Law Lords and their Time Lords up.
_________________________
What a loser you are
January 27th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Till later
January 27th, 2008 at 9:24 am
12
annie123 Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 12:45 am
1) It has been reported pj’s have evidence Maddie is dead - died in apartment blah, blah.
2)New interogations due next week - members of t9 maybe made aguidos, it is ‘understood’.
3)Wtf are you people doing analysing so called new suspects/sightings if you think Maddie died in the apartment?
4) I have popped in on a daily basis to see what people’s opinions have been on ‘whats in the papers’.
5) Given the majorities of opinions that Maddie died in apartment and new sightings/suspects are a load of bollocks, why waste time and energy debating trash?
6) Ok, most postings on here seem to be about members doing a bit of flirting, using the site as a dating sight - far better than analysing newspapre trash IMO. And the occassional slanging match, it is harder to pin point the genuine daily debates, but don’t mind me. I am waiting for the hoped for arrest of GM & KM over their part in this fiasco.
7) IMO The most important point - a lot of innocent people have/will have their lives disrupted/changed beyond belief due to this circus controlled by the McC’s desperation to hide their crime.
I’m just waiting for this case to come to a conclusion and the guilty brought to justice.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:23 am
1
noseycow
Rubish
January 27th, 2008 at 9:15 am
MRS BOUNTYHUNTER SAYS
CHENIER, FEELING BETTER ? Out today, or no news yet ?
If Mrs Cooper and Lori could join forces and finger all the males in record time !
Who will be fingered today ?
Off topic, Have you read ‘BITTER PILLS’ by Stephen Fried ? Eyeopener on antibiotics.
My mother in law took 2 capsules of Cipro and overnight her achilles tendons totally ruptured, can’t be fixed, ruined her life - stopped her career. She cannot do anything about it. These Floxins are devestating and ruined thousands of lives. Read it if you have some time. Cant sue the manufacturors either.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Sledgehammer
We can’t convict the McCanns on Anorak. It’s not a court.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:12 am
16
noseycow Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 8:56 am
I’m not sure what the mirror is on publishing this which goes against every thing else that we’ve read - however this is slipped in the middle of the article:
quote ‘Detectives have launched a fresh review of the case and are now re-interviewing the key witnesses’ unquote
so is it just team mcc spin to defuse the news that the pj are coming?
——————————————————-
The re-interviewing of key witnesses probably means having a word with pigfarmer…
So yes, I’m pretty sure that this is intended to gloss over Metodo 3’s cuddlecat antics, and the mysterious case of the abductor who proved not to be an abductor in Chile…
January 27th, 2008 at 9:07 am
18
Sledgehammer Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Morning Carmen, yes I am a member of several organisations, but of the McCann variety sorry to disappoint you no. It appears that you have an axe to grind with people, who would like to see evidence before they convict anyone. I find it amusing the number of times that you come to the rescue of the barmy brigade, at least AGW is quite clear on his and Anorak’s stance, no charges, no evidence be careful, have a delightful Sunday and an enjoyable Sunday dinner.
—————————————————
Sadly, Sledgehammer appears not to belong to the only organisation likely to do him any good.
Specsavers.