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 2:52 pm
Ammarals book is going to be in the CM to read !
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Real Stig
I’d say that was a good mix.
But then my niece is half Scottish/half Australian and her Dad’s family come originally from Galway and my Dad’s family are Northern Irish.
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Julie
SA - that itsy, bitsy little speck that’s only 1/6th as big as OZ?
“I gather Switzerland is cold in January :?:”
I am counting on it! Well below zero I hope, and covered with white stuff - yum.
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:23 pm
The Real Stig Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Jo
I think Garth was implying he is actually IN Spain at the moment, so It probably isn’t too late for him to visit
******
Yes! I just realised that jajajajaja…but where?
I would love to meet him in “chair et en os”
GARTH?
Where are youuuu?
In Marbella? jajajajaja en la costa del crimen?
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Karen
No, I’m originally from Australia but I have an Irish passport.
My great grandfather was from Dundee, so I’m a real mess!
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Garth - you’re such a nice chap aren’t you
I’m glad you write the things you do and show yourself what what you really are
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Jo
I think Garth was implying he is actually IN Spain at the moment, so It probably isn’t too late for him to visit
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Real Stig
I thought you were Irish. Do you just live there?
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Lone Pigeon Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Garth Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:09 pm
well must get back to the poolside. Seems the spanish ladies are wondering where ive gone.
impatient gits…..
————
Do you ever do any work u sad waste of space? I dont know about resigning, i think sacking is more apt.
Is that the cleaners you’re talking about?
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:12 pm
The Real Stig Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Julie
I don’t live in the UK, close though.
I’m from Australia you penguin!
I was back there last Xmas - on Xmas day it was 42.5 and the sister-inlaws evap airconditioner on the roof just about caught fire. Then on boxing day it was 44.5 C
I am so looking forward to January - Switzerland here we come.
___________________
You don’t live in the UK, close though ….. ? Listen here matey … the UK to me is this little blob on a map with a few little blobs around it
And WHO is your penguin?
….. you ….. you …… bloody shee…. …. 
- alright I wont say it out loud 
I gather Switzerland is cold in January
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:11 pm
M and A
Garth and Amaral.
Ah, reverse psychology to protect him…
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:11 pm
C&C
i just hope they sue the git. A complete plonker……..
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Garth Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:09 pm
well must get back to the poolside. Seems the spanish ladies are wondering where ive gone.
impatient gits…..
Is that the cleaners you’re talking about?
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:09 pm
well must get back to the poolside. Seems the spanish ladies are wondering where ive gone.
impatient gits…..
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:08 pm
well it looks like garth was right all along……….
the numpty portuguese led by knobhead amaral have been a complete waste of time. Mindyou he’s got a his fans i s’pose
the numpty fan club 
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:08 pm
any mention of the padre in the PT report???????????
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Hello Garth. How are you?
My insiders seem to think that Amaral’s book will be a bit of a damp squid. He still has his pension to protect and the assumtion that authors of books make millions is sadly far off the mark unless your name is Katie Price or Cherie Blair et al.
……………..
For all the Apple lovers, I have a son who despairs of both my inability to get to grips with it and my ability to keep buying new ones!
No, I won’t give it to him either.
One day I tell myself, one day …..
Maybe when I stop wasting time on forums and groups and other new laptops?
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Coolandcalm
I shall work my way up life’s ladder eventually.
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Garth Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Lone Pigeon Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:41 am
Garth
That’s not nice now is it. Why don’t you answer the question instead of calling names? Some habits die hard eh
————
Do you wear womens knickers matey?
If I remember right it’s you who wears the dress matey
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Garth
Yes jo on hols…….. and let me tell you, noone here in sunny spain believes the mccanns are guilty. Its you daft prats
I am furiously furious.
***
GARTH!!
You were in spain and did not visit?
Is your spanish improving or….?
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Julie
I don’t live in the UK, close though.
I’m from Australia you penguin!
I was back there last Xmas - on Xmas day it was 42.5 and the sister-inlaws evap airconditioner on the roof just about caught fire. Then on boxing day it was 44.5 C
I am so looking forward to January - Switzerland here we come.
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
C and C, you are reminding me of my two favorite birthday cards. I wonder if I could scan them and post without getting into copyright problems?
M and A
Credit the company and its should be ok
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Lone Pigeon Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:41 am
Garth
That’s not nice now is it. Why don’t you answer the question instead of calling names? Some habits die hard eh
————
Do you wear womens knickers matey?
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Garth
It was mythical by day 3.
You’re just going to have to live with it - like the descendent’s of all the Jack the Ripper suspects.
I say Maybrick did it!!!
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:01 pm
NONE of my comments appeared in sky
I think they didnt like them or my “name” fishyme
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
You see Karen, that is the joy of being a certain age. No-one ever accuses you of being girly and daft, they simply assume you are eccentric bordering senile and smile indugently.
I can do whatever I like now and its great!!
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Amaral - what a prick!
M and A
Garth ,are you saying he’s good in the sack?
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:58 pm
JuneJohnson Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:53 pm
thanks june.
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:57 pm
chenier Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:50 pm
yes, looks like it chenier.
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:57 pm
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.
————
Listen to the bleedin coconut!
youve been wrong all along you daft old bat!
Yes jo on hols…….. and let me tell you, noone here in sunny spain believes the mccanns are guilty. Its you daft prats!