Madeleine McCann: The Tabloid Dog Pack, Kate McCann’s Diary And Shannon Matthews
MADDIE WATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann, Kate McCann, Gerry McCann and Robert Murat
PRESS GAZETTE: “Furious lawyer attacks tabloids’ ‘pack-dog’ mentality over stories”
Read all about it in the Star, Sun, Mirror etc.
Louis Charalambous represented Robert Murat in his libel action against eleven tabloid newspapers. Two other claimants in the same case, Sergey Malinka and Michaela Walczuch, were awarded apologies and a “substantial six-figure settlement”.
Charalambous tells the Press Gazette:
“Having to capitulate, apologise and pay up is not the end of it. The trust in those titles ebbs away among their combined readership of 15 million. In particular, readers of The Sun, Mirror, Express and Star were told lie after lie about my clients. It brings into question how much more of their paper’s news coverage they can rely on…
“There was a pack-dog mentality here and my clients and their families were the prey. The children of Robert and Michaela, little girls, one not much older than Madeleine, were hounded and had to go in and out of their homes with coats over their heads.
“I’d like to invite the editors of the worst of these titles to have tea and cake with them and explain why they let their journalists and photographers harass them. They are now recovering but the effects are long-lasting.”
Tea with lawyers? Take care. Bring a tape recorder and a copy of the invitation. Leave wallet at home. But what about the story, the single-thread story? What about our Maddy?
“Journalistically this was a story without legs: child goes missing, no idea of her fate and foreign coppers not leaking to their trusted hacks in the time-honoured way. Reporters then developed lines of the story and ‘creatively’ adopted the rubbish coming out of the Portuguese tabloid press.”
Case closed. What what about Murat?
Max Clifford, no longer representing Murat, says:
“If you think that the McCanns got £500,000 from one newspaper group, he went after 11 newspapers – and they were far more vicious to him than they were to the McCanns.”
Maybe Murat wasn’t after the money, just closure? Maybe the papers got of lightly?
“If you want people to believe you are innocent you can forget about it. He and his family are going to have to live with this for the rest of their lives.”
So says a professional PR not in the least bit bitter about being dropped by Murat.
THE SUN: “Kate’s Maddie diaries leaked”
EXCERPTS from Kate McCann’s diary covering the first agonising weeks after daughter Maddie vanished have emerged.
Did you see them? In case you didn’t, here they are:
They show that the desperate mum left messages asking PM Gordon Brown to “increase political pressure” to aid the search. After he phoned 40-year-old Kate and husband Gerry, she noted that Mr Brown was “nice and supportive” — but that she “felt a bit emotional after”.
DAILY MIRROR: “Kate and Gerry McCann: Portuguese cops’ hunt for Maddie ‘pathetic’”
Portuguese police knocked on just 443 doors in the failed hunt for missing Madeleine McCann.
That a lot?
There are 7,000 homes in Praia da Luz…
No door unknocked…
In stark contrast, British police probing the disappearance of Shannon Matthews earlier this year knocked on 5,000 doors and searched 2,000 houses. Nine-year-old Shannon was found in 24 days, whereas Portuguese police have stopped looking for Madeleine after 14 months.
But the police door knocking wasn’t what found Shannon Matthews. The rozzers responded to a tip off from a neighbour of one Paul Donovan.
Also, Shannon Matthews’ mother, Karen Matthews, is under arrest for her alleged part in her daughters’ disappearance. Kate McCann is innocent. So what do the two matters have in common? Or is this Tabloid Bingo?
A friend of the McCanns said: “The 443 doors would barely cover 500 yards from the apartment where Madeleine was taken. That is shocking and unacceptable.”
Is it?
Posted: 28th, July 2008 | In: Broadsheets, Madeleine McCann, Tabloids Comments (325) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
Comments
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July 28th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
No libel only works one way, either you are the libeled or the libeler.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Rasputin
I said libel works both ways,thats what I said.
Anyhow,I can see you”ve read it
Make good use of it
July 28th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Elena says
Duncan,
‘ . . . . you can do no wrong in my book now!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I’ll remind you of that if I ever have to edit or ‘pull’ one of your posts
July 28th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Duncan,
(lol ) Don’t worry, I am.
Didn’t mean to embarrass you. I think your dogs are so cute. Rescuing 2 and posting their pictures. Guess you can do no wrong in my book now!
July 28th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
You should go back and read the post slowly, I never claimed to have any contacts.
Aren’t you the one that is always advising posters to be careful as to what they say, or your big scary contacts will come and get them.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
When I was on holiday this year a child went missing from the restaurant and he was found after about 20 minutes-but in the meantime no-one had thought to ring the police there was just chaos and a disorganised search-I daresay it might have gone on for some time before anyone had thought to do so if he had not been found-it was disbelief that reigned.
Having said that noone thought he had been abducted or assumed so. It does seem odd if you ‘know’ it is an abduction not to raise the alarm earlier.
Actually I don’t know the point of this post!!
July 28th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Bye Sweet Duncan
Gone for a bite
July 28th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
M&A said,
Sometimes people challenge others, they reply, and that should end it, frequently it doesn’t
—————————————————————————————
Yesterday I was challenged again on the leaving the children alone business by M&A.
I responded and thought that would be an end to it but it wasn’t. It went on and ultimately
a statement was made that supporters of McCanns could be the type of people who leave their children alone. Another insinuated that McCannlanders were not welcome on this forum. To be honest I felt these were attacks.
I was very heartened to read Carmen’s post and I do believe she means what she says.
M and A
Elena, challenges regarding who people are, not their views. When we intervene we expect the offender to stop
Incidentally Anoraklanders are frequently made to feel unwelcome, particularly when called windylickers.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Elena
Been backtracking through comments posted when I was ‘off-duty’ and found this . . .
‘Duncan is rather sweet imo’
Gosh, you made me go all red
when I read that comment
Er, just one thing though. It’s only a little thing but it is rather important and it’s been preying on my mind since I read your comment. Can you just confirm that you are a woman ?
July 28th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Rasputin
Once again,you are saying I know people and the like.Great imagination
I can assure you,you are very mistaken.You are talking about “contacts” I do not have.When people have “contacts”,they dont talk about publicly.
Beware of curves,even spinning curves.
Some can be badly negotiated
July 28th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Lydia is that you are bang on about Kate McCann or, you bang on about Kate McCann?
July 28th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
henier Says:
July 28th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
The Real Stig Says:
July 28th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
“the McCanns must have known that if, as they claim, they knew that Madeleine had been abducted straight away, they should not have had all and sundry tramping through the scene of what they alleged was a crime. We are back to the importance of evidence, which should be second nature to a doctor…”
————–
I just cant understand the mentality of a person to come out with a statement like the above.
Beggars belief.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
I will say this jo the people whom I know appear to be more in the curve than the ones you claim to know, my people did say the parents would face no charges, I do not believe your contacts took that view, in fact they took the direct opposite. There is no shame in being wrong, the secret is not to compound it, you should apply that maxim.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
DuncanR
na…nothing serious really……and then I just remember the smileys and ran back
Still sorting the little buggers out?
July 28th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
M and A — 7:17 pm
Thanks for that.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
jo you are bang on about kate mcann
July 28th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
The Real Stig said
Doctors do not receive any special training relating to legal evidence, the preservation of crime scenes etc. They barely have enough time or room in their courses for more important and relevant stuff.
When a child goes missing, particularly your own, the immediate imperative, whatever you may think has happened, is to start looking everywhere in the immediate vicinity in case your worst fears were unfounded and she had just wandered off. You don’t lock down the area with the thought of preserving a crime scene.
What is reported to have happened that evening is exactly what I would expect. Near hysterical parents and a whole range of people frantically looking everywhere they could think of and some people milling about offering comfort and support. Their being doctors doesn’t come into it IMO.
—————————————————————————————-
I guess whatever your training, if your child went missing the last thing you would think of would be preserving a crime scene. I would imagine you would run through the place,pull it apart shouting the child’s name and scream for help from those nearby who in turn would, in shock and disbelief run through the place,pull it apart, shouting the child’s name until somebody got their head together and rang the police.
Although doctors are given information on the dangers of malpractice and manslaughter through malpractice, to my knowledge they are not versed on the preservation of crime scenes, unless of course they are fans of detective shows or have a real detective in the family! All my opinion of course.
July 28th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Rasputin
How do you know?
Any references to support what you are saying?
Ah..sure,its “from a source”…..
My view is it was a good move to get the Scented Pair out of the way
NOW they can answer freely to their famous interviews
NOW they can go back and search for Madeleine because they are not arguidos anymore because they shit scared to be arrested.
Are they doing it? NO
Great!
NOW justice can be made to Madeleine
July 28th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Jo
Not long logged on and reading back through comments posted earlier today. What’s this about you leaving? Have I missed something? Or do I need to read back some more?
You’re not leaving while there’s still a chance I might be able to get you more smileys are you?
P.S. I’m not having much luck with them so far, but I’m still trying
July 28th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Maravilha
“Is Amarals book translated”?
Why the rush and what for? Arent the “Famous Files” going to be released …soon?
July 28th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Is Amaral’s book already being translated?
July 28th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Hello Duncan, very hot and sticky, I would like to say some things that I have heard but I know I cannot, AGW would not allow it. What I will say is that it is common knowledge that the high ups are not pleased with the execution of the inquiry before the new team took over. Also the Portuguese press have painted themselves into a corner by siding with Inspector Amaral’s previous leaks and this latest book.
However much people may not like the announcement made by the Attorney General, that is how things are, he is a very respected and honourable man, who would only do the correct thing. It is said that former Inspector Amaral will find himself in serious trouble, as will several others, I cannot repeat the details, but Paulo Rebelo is said to be livid at the things that went on, and the bad publicity brought to the door of the PJ.
The general consensus that I have been party to is that the Attorney General was correct in his statement, people know the children were left on their own by the parents, most now think something happened that did not involve anyone known to Madeleine, sorry for going on, we shall see in time.
July 28th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
I for one am going to buy Mr Amaral’s book when it becomes available here.
Carmen, I really enjoyed reading yr posting of 08H45 this morning, I think that shows you are a very nice person.
July 28th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
The Real Stig Says:
July 28th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
“the McCanns must have known that if, as they claim, they knew that Madeleine had been abducted straight away, they should not have had all and sundry tramping through the scene of what they alleged was a crime. We are back to the importance of evidence, which should be second nature to a doctor…”
———————
Doctors do not receive any special training relating to legal evidence, the preservation of crime scenes etc. They barely have enough time or room in their courses for more important and relevant stuff.
When a child goes missing, particularly your own, the immediate imperative, whatever you may think has happened, is to start looking everywhere in the immediate vicinity in case your worst fears were unfounded and she had just wandered off. You don’t lock down the area with the thought of preserving a crime scene.
What is reported to have happened that evening is exactly what I would expect. Near hysterical parents and a whole range of people frantically looking everywhere they could think of and some people milling about offering comfort and support. Their being doctors doesn’t come into it IMO.
——————-
Nowadays doctors not only have to practise evidence based medicine, they also have to accept the fact that prosecutions of doctors for manslaughter have dramatically increased in recent years. Medics nowadays are only too well aware of the way criminal proceedings work. The offspring tells me, and I see no reason to doubt her, that every doctor or medical student either knows, or knows of, a doctor being investigated by the police for manslaughter.
That fact is reflected in their training, just as the need to avoid panic in highly stressful situations is reflected in their training. It is a conditioned reflex which is deeply ingrained; running around like a chicken with its head cut off really isn’t a desirable quality in a medic. People who don’t acquire that reflex are weeded out.
And as I noted in the part of my post which you omitted, there is no conceivable justification for a doctor not to be aware that leaving small children alone with no-one to care for them is very dangerous; as the Cemach report ‘Why Children Die’ notes:
‘A critical lapse in parental supervision was a recurrent feature in accidental and traumatic child death in the younger age groups.’
Which is why responsible adults don’t leave small children with no-one to care for them.
July 28th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Hi Rasp.
How was Portugal?
You haven’t missed much here. There was a nasty rumour circulating yesterday that I might be Gandy’s love child - but I’m trying not to think too much about that !
July 28th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Saul says
Or as they say ın Turkey
ŞĞÜĞŞ””ÇÇÜ
++++++++++++++++++++++
Wonderfully expressive language, Turkish !!!
July 28th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Hi back from Lagos, very quiet a sense c’est la vie about matters, the PJ are under a cloud of suspicion, but they mostly are so that’s nothing new.
July 28th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
“the McCanns must have known that if, as they claim, they knew that Madeleine had been abducted straight away, they should not have had all and sundry tramping through the scene of what they alleged was a crime. We are back to the importance of evidence, which should be second nature to a doctor…”
Doctors do not receive any special training relating to legal evidence, the preservation of crime scenes etc. They barely have enough time or room in their courses for more important and relevant stuff.
When a child goes missing, particularly your own, the immediate imperative, whatever you may think has happened, is to start looking everywhere in the immediate vicinity in case your worst fears were unfounded and she had just wandered off. You don’t lock down the area with the thought of preserving a crime scene.
What is reported to have happened that evening is exactly what I would expect. Near hysterical parents and a whole range of people frantically looking everywhere they could think of and some people milling about offering comfort and support. Their being doctors doesn’t come into it IMO.
July 28th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Julie says
we’re getting quite good at this “alternative speak”
++++++++++++++++++++++
worryin in8
July 28th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Let’s go and revive the George thread … we’re getting quite good at this “alternative speak”
Who dabs moderating while we create havoc ………
—————–
M&A
The George thread is almost certainly prohibited by the Geneva Convention.
We’re hoping someone will drop some cluster bombs on it.
M and A
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO