
Madeleine McCann: Police Errors, Kate And Gerry McCann Speak, And Amaral’s Book
MADDIE WATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann
Portuguese prosecutors have shelved the investigation into Madeleine McCann’s disappearance. Kate McCann, Gerry McCann and Robert Murat are not longer official suspects.
Fernando Jose Pinto Monteiro, Portugal’s Attorney-General, told police to halt the investigation into of Madeleine’s disappearance.
A statement released by his office confirmed that it had decided to “close the file on the investigation concerning the disappearance of the minor Madeleine McCann due to lack of evidence that any crime was committed by the persons placed under formal investigation”.
But it’s not the end of the matter. And Madeleine McCann returns to the nations’ front pages:
DAILY MIRROR (front page): “OUR DESPAIR – OUR FURY – OUR FUTURE”
No not an editorial by the Mirror’s staff wodnering where this story will end, rather words ascribed to Kate and Gerry McCann.
Says “angry” Kate McCann: “It is hard to describe how despairing it was to be named as arguido. It has been devastating to witness the detrimental effect this has had on the search”
Pages 4 and 5: “McCanns vow to keep up search for Madeleine and leave…NO STONE UNTURNED.”
Under the table, out of sight of cameras, her hand trembled as she gripped her husband’s, fighting to keep her emotions in check.
What of Robert Murat, the one the Mirror’s Lori Campbell introduced to the police?
Mr Murat spoke of his joy at being cleared but said he too now wanted the focus to be on finding her. The dad of one, 34, said: “It’s a good feeling but doesn’t take away from the fact there is still a child missing, which is very sad. I was dragged into this because of Madeleine’s disappearance so I would like to know what happened.”
FIONA PHILLIPS: “Let’s hope that they find peace one day”
Any human being with a heart will have felt the same as me - that Kate and Gerry McCann should never have been suspects at all.
If you don’t agree with Phillips then you are heartless, something less than human. Hey, you might not even be a parent:
They are an ordinary family who have lost their daughter and, as a parent, my heart goes out to them…
But as a parent, I know exactly what it’s like to go on a family holiday and be lulled into a sense of security.
DAILY MAIL: “McCanns’ fury - and despair - at Portuguese police as they are finally cleared”
Glasgow-born Mr McCann and his wife, both 40, had not ruled taking legal action against the Portuguese authorities for the way they have been treated.
The dodgy DNA evidence that lead to the McCanns being made suspects
Detectives apparently believed that scientists found Madeleine’s DNA and blood in the apartment and in the McCanns’ hire car, which they did not rent until 25 days after her disappearance.
Armed with that ‘evidence’ and the knowledge that dogs supposedly found the ’scent of death’ on Mrs McCann’s clothes, they decided to name the couple as suspects.
But the final report from the Forensic Science Service in Birmingham several weeks later said that the DNA evidence in the case was inconclusive, and did not support the police’s theory.
The forensic evidence which led to Kate and Gerry McCann being named as suspects was misunderstood by Portuguese police, it was claimed yesterday.
Detectives wrongly believed the work of British experts supported their theory that Madeleine had died in her parents’ rented holiday apartment, when in fact the DNA analysis was inconclusive, it was suggested.
The claims come from leaks from inside the Portuguese investigation, based on an initial British forensic report into the case.
THE SUN (front page): “MADDIE”
Pages 6 and 7: “COPS CLEAR ‘ARGUIDO’ HELL PARENTS”
The couple have fought long and hard to gain access to the documents, which could be available as early as the end of this week for a period of 20 days only.
After the 20-day term, the world’s media will then have the right to apply to view them.
FERGUS SHANAHAN: “TIME TO GIVE KATE A BREAK”
“Having consistently spoken up for Kate and Gerry McCann, I can welcome the official clearing of their names over Maddie without being called a hypocrite”
That’s the important thing. What of Robert Murat, also cleared? Nothing. Not a word.
DAILY EXPRESS (front page): “MADELEINE – Now Kate will see police files at last”
Great news. Now the Express can start featuring our Maddy on its front page again.
THE TIMES: “Kate and Gerry McCann cleared over Madeleine disappearance”
Remember those bungling Portuguese cops?
According to reports yesterday, one key error that led to the McCanns being declared suspects was made by Britain’s own Forensic Science Service.
The report, apparently from the Portuguese authorities and which was leaked to the London Evening Standard newspaper, states that the Policia Judiciaria, Portugal’s criminal investigation department, was told that DNA evidence found in the couple’s hire car, on the window sill of their holiday apartment and in the car park of the apartment complex, belonged to Madeleine.
The document claims that it was given categorically as her DNA and as a result the McCanns were questioned and later made suspects. But, one month later, the forensic service wrote another report saying that it could not be sure that those findings were correct.
THE INDEPENDENT: “Pandora: ‘You can imagine how I felt’ - Max Clifford”
Henry Deedes reads the Anorak.
McCanns finally cleared of blame over daughter’s disappearance
Goncalo Amaral, the detective in charge of the initial inquiry who was removed from the case, will publish a book this week making clear his belief that Madeleine died in her parents’ apartment on the night of her disappearance.
THE GUARDIAN: “Case closed: no leads, no suspects but, say McCanns, the hunt for Madeleine goes on”
“We welcome the news today, although it’s no cause for celebration,” Kate McCann said at a press conference last night.
DAILY TELEGRAPH (front page): “Case closed, but parents’ hunt goes on”
THE HERALD: “McCanns’ anguish: police should be in the dock”
Shame on the Portuguese police force. It emerges from the investigation of Madeleine McCann’s disappearance with its credibility in tatters. Where to begin? It has failed to find Madeleine or even to establish whether she is alive or dead, yet it has shelved her case.
It’s “COLETTE DOUGLAS HOME”. Yeah, those bungling Portuguese plods need to be punished. They’re not like our British coppers. Not like the Forensic Science Service…
Madeleine McCann: The news goes on…
Posted: 22nd, July 2008 | In: Broadsheets, Madeleine McCann, Tabloids Comments (590) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
Comments





July 22nd, 2008 at 11:22 am
Yvonne Martin
Sell your story !
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:21 am
‘Although shelved at the moment, the investigation would be reopened at any time if any new evidence is presented to the Portuguese authorities.’
The Portugal Resident left out the important bit about substantial evidence.
In other words, no creepy men, no sinister ladies, no psychics, no Gail Coopers, no Aunt Ethel, no Jehovah’s witnesses and no more wasting police time…
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:21 am
chenier Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:18 am
In the sad circumstances, they would have loved having had a day and a half
of even moderate snow falling on the pitch.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:20 am
“In a fascinating glimpse of the kind of information fed to police, one witness said he had overhead Gerry McCann talking into his mobile phone in nearby Lagos and saying “please don’t hurt Madeleine”.
Detectives did cell site analysis on Gerry’s phone and established he was elsewhere at the time. The witness was wrong.”
I guess one question is how much of this sort of information have we been reading about over the last 14 months.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:20 am
I am going to polish my gun
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:20 am
Chenier
Did it involve any of the following:
Bottles of glenlivet
Wigs falling off
Mooning from car windows
sitting and faces
Black leather
Purple tule ?
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:20 am
Matt. Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:14 am
England got a resounding drubbing, by 10 Wickets, by South Africa.
____________________________
Snigger ….. snigger ……
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:19 am
now they are going to sue the portuguese police
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:19 am
Julie …… Garth fucked off when I said that there would be predatory monsters giving him an internal whilst he’s in his bed tonight. He fucks up really easy - He can’t be a troll coz he’s not clever enough.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:18 am
Matt. Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:14 am
chenier Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:07 am
Morning, chenier.
Monday was an absolutely horrible day for moi.
England got a resounding drubbing, by 10 Wickets, by South Africa.
——————————–
I’m sorry to hear that, Matt.
At least it didn’t snow on them.
One day I will tell the awful story of my final driving test, but the world is not yet ready for it…
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:17 am
JULIE


You old pompous tart!
Wassup? lots of bile around
Its “Fury Day” over rothley!!!
It is signed up to become a british national day thats why they went to brussels and all.The pope sanctified it because it is long time marketing project
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:16 am
“Robert is not in the Algarve at the moment but we expect him to return home next week sometime. “Now Robert is no longer an arguido he will be making the most of being free to travel to wherever he wants without restraint.
Although shelved at the moment, the investigation would be reopened at any time if any new evidence is presented to the Portuguese authorities.
http://www.portugalresident.com/portugalresident/showstory.asp?ID=28233
———————————
When did it restrain the other two?
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:15 am
I have never laughed so much on here as I have this morning!
Brandonflours! - You have perfect timing!
Lone Pigeon! LOL Loved the Lidl joke! I will use that! Is Liel really Garth?
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:14 am
Breaking news over on Sky
Kate and Gerry McCann have to wait a week to see the police files on the Madeleine case, but a summary has already been leaked to a Portuguese website.
Murat was allegedly Arguido’d solely because of the journos…
Gerry allegedly heard saying ‘”please don’t hurt Madeleine” but the witness was wrong.
etc….
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:14 am
chenier Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:07 am
Morning, chenier.
Monday was an absolutely horrible day for moi.
England got a resounding drubbing, by 10 Wickets, by South Africa.
:(
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:13 am
no
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:13 am
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Madeleine-McCann-Police-Report-Leaked-To-Portuguese-Newspapers/Article/200807415049080?lpos=World%2BNews_0&lid=ARTICLE_15049080_Madeleine%2BMcCann%2BPolice%2BReport%2BLeaked%2BTo%2BPortuguese%2BNewspapers
Martin Brunt, Crime correspondent, in Praia da Luz
Kate and Gerry McCann have to wait a week to see the police files on the Madeleine case, but a summary has already been leaked to a Portuguese website.
Madeleine McCann
Madeleine McCann
It explains why the couple were made arguidos… because of the “scent of death” detected by the cadaver dog and their own reluctance to answer police questions.
According to the leak, the dog found the smell of a corpse in the couple’s bedroom at apartment 5a and behind a sofa in the living room.
The dog detected the same on Madeleine’s soft toy Cuddle Cat and on the key fob in the family’s hire car.
The police report says the couple were made arguidos “due to the slight possibility of connection to a corpse”.
The second animal - a blood dog - found traces of Madeleine’s blood behind the couch, on two items of Kate McCann’s clothes and on the key fob and in the car boot, according to the leak.
It also says there was a DNA match to Madeleine’s on samples taken from the car but later forensic results did not confirm that initial finding.
Robert Murat was made a suspect after a British Sunday newspaper reporter gave his name to police because of his “inquisitive” behaviour.
Suspicions were fuelled by friends of the McCanns who claimed he helped in the search for Madeleine on the night she vanished, contradicting his alibi that he was at his nearby home with his mother all night.
The report says detectives found no one else who saw him on the night and telephone wires and searches provided no evidence of his involvement.
In a fascinating glimpse of the kind of information fed to police, one witness said he had overhead Gerry McCann talking into his mobile phone in nearby Lagos and saying “please don’t hurt Madeleine”.
Detectives did cell site analysis on Gerry’s phone and established he was elsewhere at the time. The witness was wrong.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:12 am
Why repsond to Liel? you’re just saying and doing exactly what he wants. Leave him be.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:12 am
that was garth I tell thee!!!!
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:11 am
liel Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:56 am
do you people not have anything better to do? jeez, you are a bunch of half wits… i dont think i have ever read any one of you saying anything bloody nice! Bunch of miserables shitheads!
**********
…bbbbbbbut WE are nice!
We want the truth to come through and JUSTICE MADE TO MADELEINE
I dont know who are the people they dont stop talking about all the freackin time,you know? these mccann people? I thought the investigation was about a “disappeared” child!
We KNOW the parents are NOT formal suspects anymore and really totally innocent but we still do NOT know the TRUTH about Madeleine,do we? do you may be?
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:11 am
Good Morning All
An an extra special GOOD MORNING to Liel - a very warm welcome to this wonderful place that we all love so much - you’ll fit right in with us I’m sure
GARTH - where the fugging hell have you been? I’ve missed giving you hassles every day … I’m sure you missed me just as much
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:10 am
liel …… liel liel slippery eel!
You are the half-wit - and if you have had the time to sit about checking times and what we say without enjoying it - you are a sad fucker!
At least we feel that we are keeping the child in the picture.
What on Earth makes somebody want to peep in at lunatics keeping their self-help group going.
As I’m sure people must say to you in real life - in the pub - at family do’s - your husband/wife - your friends - fuck off!
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:09 am
So were the 6 bodies accounted for?
maybe serial killer charges are what they are really going for now
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:09 am
Matt, they should get CSI Vegas on to it. They don’t make many mistakes!
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:09 am
Monday was good for me Chernier - I saw my baby at 20 weeks old on the TV screen
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:08 am
liel Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:03 am
I like the “classy” bit.
Mucho gracias !!!
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:08 am
lone
Thats not the joke !
naughty
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:07 am
Morning all!
Morning Li whoever
Ok, I ‘m still pedallling, accumulating good karma, whilst I get up the nerve to ring the laptop people and and go through the whole sad story of the day the music, sorry, laptop died.
Well, other than that, fellow Anorakians, how did you enjoy Monday?
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:06 am
liel
Got nothing better to do that sit around reading our comments?
We’ve NEVER said anything nice.
We sit around ALL day.
And you’re sitting there with us - arsehole.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:06 am
Melanie Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:01 am
But….if true… a very strange thing for them to have to do.
How many other FSS reports, in other cases, have had to be couriored in
such a fashion ???