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
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July 22nd, 2008 at 11:44 am
melanie
don’t you bloody start!
i’m soooo knackered but if I don’t do it before work tonight Mr Noseycow will set the new one up in my absence, and frankly I want it to work.
Maybe I could hide it and tell him that it didn’t arrive?
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:44 am
ok mel
xx
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:43 am
Brandon, get one in for me!
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:42 am
Melanie Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:37 am
He did try his heart out, as usual, though.
Wasn’t to be.
He looked totally whacked on Sunday.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:42 am
M&A, was that a comment or a moderation?
I was hoping my comment came under the umbrella of ‘pulling a fellow poster’s leg’
************
a comment, but when I gotthis I was told the same, it’ll breakdown…..
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:41 am
Bye everyone off for a kick about and a picnic ( liel will be so pleased)
xx
Then a pint of shandy down the river if it stays nice
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:41 am
Noseycow Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:31 am
Chenier
It was OK thanks.
I should be in bed - but my new PC just arrived from Dell and I’m trying to upload all the photos from the old one before I donate it to daughters ‘black’ hole (no racial smear intended)
————————————
That would be the slightly dingey quarter of Calcutta, then
Is the new pc pretty?
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:39 am
As much as I have no feelings of sympathy for the McCann’s because of the circumstances that led to the disappearance of Madeleine, I’ve got to say that the coming weeks will definitely make up my mind for me as to whether their involvement was direct or indirect!
Now that they are no longer arguidos, their actions in the coming weeks will tell a very big story!
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:39 am
brandon inquest.
Re evidence / proof, I think Amaral was saying that what is good enough for an investigation to go forward is not necessarily the same as taknig it to court.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:37 am
Matt, I was disppointed with Flintoff’s return. Not quite Bothamesque!
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:37 am
So sad to read through….unless you are a South African.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/7517623.stm
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:36 am
# Melanie Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:34 am
Brandon, why?
which one proof or inquest?
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:36 am
good morning all,
what rotten news, poor maddie.
looking at the video i think they look like they’ve just escaped the hangman.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:35 am
Nosey, better do a back up too before your Dell breaks down
m and A
Ihave had this for 5 years, and still waiting for it to break down
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:34 am
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/support_services/article4369169.ece
Bye all….must get on now
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:34 am
Brandon, why?
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:33 am
Melanie
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:24 am
Would have had a bit ofa chance if the top-order Batsmen had batted like the
Bowlers and Wicketkeeper did.
Instead, Pietersen played as if he thought he was in a Twenty/20 match and
threw away his wicket ever so cheaply.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:32 am
no proof is not quite as no evidence is it?
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:31 am
Chenier
It was OK thanks.
I should be in bed - but my new PC just arrived from Dell and I’m trying to upload all the photos from the old one before I donate it to daughters ‘black’ hole (no racial smear intended)
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:29 am
If madeleine was made a ward of court, shouldnt they hold an inquest ?
M and A
Think they need official evidence of death, but after 7 years she can be declared dead, officially.
Be interesting to see what happens to that status though,won’t it (WOC)
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:27 am
Noseycow Says:
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 ?
————————–
Sadly not.
I didn’t even break out the Tanqueray till past 10pm.
But, if anyone’s in a mood for a conspiracy theory, the laptop gave up the ghost just as the statement was hitting the web, thus ensuring that I spent the next two hours trying to fix the damn thing!
I’m back on the pedal driven pc, trying to work up the courage to ring the laptop people yet again.
How was the night shift?
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:27 am
Apparentley this is the real translation
By the dispatch with today’s date (21.07.2008) emmitted by the two magistrates of the Public Ministry competent for the case, it was decided the archiving of the inquiry related with the disappearance of the minor Madeleine McCann, for not having been obtained proof of the practice of any crime by the arguidos.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:26 am
Julie, it is surprising that we are not all fluent in portuguese by now!
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:25 am
does not make a summer…
I said it in my head but not my fingers…
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:24 am
Matt, we weer hopeless at the cricket were we not. Somebody should tell the selectors that one innings does make a summer….
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:24 am
Ade’
I don’t think Syd Barret had anything to do with “Money” - wasn’t it well after he left?
Anyway he was my hero and Madcap Laughs fits the bill just as well
Have a great day
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:24 am
Hey there Jo - you batty ol’ bimbo
I’m interested to see how the stones are unturned from now on ……..
Oh, and I need at least ONE kind person to GET ME THAT BOOK puleeeez ……. doubtful that they’ll send any copies to Africa …. but I just gotta, gotta, gotta get one (that’s when it’s published in English of course - my Portuguese aint too hot
)
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:23 am
coco Says:
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.
*****
Welll…I almost said to him I would send M3 after him because they are extremely fraudulent….err…nô..err…efficient.That would have put him -whoever this charming bilious person- in a suicidal mood, omg!I am glad I didnt!….
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:22 am
Brandon, RM can’t have been restrained that much. He was over here while still an arguido wasn’t he?
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:22 am
Julie Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:20 am
Grrrrrrrr.