Madeleine McCann: Reading Amaral’s Book, Free Speech And Elvis
MADDIE WATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann, Kate McCann and Gerry McCann…
THE GUARDIAN: “On the front line in the search for Maddie - Gonçalo Amaral’s intriguing memoir of the Madeleine McCann case offers no solution but reveals a man obsessed by the investigation”
Ned Temko is reading Amaral’s book:
It is a shame that this revealing memoir from Gonçalo Amaral, the police chief who ran the Madeleine McCann investigation until he was unceremoniously fired last year, has not been published in English…
Indeed it is. And a disappointment that no British paper has sought to serialise the work. Aren’t we interested in what the copper thinks? Or are we too scared to publish it? What of free speech, then?
Wouldn’t any reader of sound mind dismiss slights against the McCanns’ involvement?
Within minutes of its appearance in Portuguese bookshops, the McCanns’ spokesman let it be known their lawyers would be giving it a thorough read, with an eye to the kind of libel action that ended up costing the Express group £500,000 earlier this year. And that was before the Portuguese authorities finally cleared the couple last month of any suspicion.
We’ve been scared off. But:
Surely it won’t be long before enterprising translators feed the juicier bits to an online conspiracy community that, in the 15 months since the cherubic three-year-old went missing from Praia da Luz, has elevated Madeleine into something close to a new Elvis.
Has she been seen in America?
Or in the phrase Amaral prefers to use, with no evident trace of irony, in the book’s acknowledgements: ‘cybernauts and bloggers who have been defending the cause of truth and justice.’
Or just proclaiming themselves “pro” or “anti” McCann, as if that helps:
Yet even for those of us who happen to believe that Elvis is no more, the book offers a page-turning compendium of unexplained puzzles - as are so frequently found in wide-ranging, complex investigations.
LIVERPOOL ECHO: “Why we shouldn’t be frightened of the big, wide world”
Fiona Ennys plays Tabloid Bingo! Eyes down…
CATHERINE Mullany’s murder on the ‘paradise’ island of Antigua was awful and tragic.
Tick!
People like me who, until the expansion of package travel in the 1960s never saw further than perhaps Blackpool or Scarborough, now have the opportunity to visit supremely exotic destinations like Asia and Africa.
And..?
And it’s fantastic.
Phew! Go on…
It’s so easy to be lulled into a false sense of security when you are on holiday; the family of little Madeleine McCann know, only too painfully, about that.
Tick!
THE SUNDAY TIMES: “Big Yin on a voyage to explore big waste - Billy Connolly is recreating the Arctic journeys of two great pioneers for ITV”
ITV approached Connolly as part of its drive to get more factual “big access pieces” for the 8pm-9pm slots following on from the success of documentaries on JK Rowling and Madeleine McCann.
That’s entertainment (sha-la-la-la-la)…
Posted: 3rd, August 2008 | In: Broadsheets, Madeleine McCann, Tabloids Comments (284) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
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August 3rd, 2008 at 9:25 pm
M&A
Artemis
Just read your reply to Maria. Glad you understood what I meant by my not so well phrased remark! Thanks.
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:23 pm
whoops, Fair and Duncan and others
Love Irish songs, and you all have delightful voices, but have to depart now. My voice will NOT be missed, I assure you. Enjoy.
Cheryl
Just imagine it once the documents are freely available to be pored over and pawed over, and even poured over, by all and sundry. OMG, everyone will become a petit Hercule Poirot (but with fewer little grey cells!) and imagine themselves the greatest detectives alive. Can’t bear the thought of it. Think I’ll stay away. Anyway….how long will it take to read the files?
Really “Good night.” now, to all. Ironing to do. Ugh. May look back in a couple of hours.
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Maria, looks like your post is pulled.
Sorry the way I said it wasn’t very clear. I know all three arguido’s aren’t arguido’s any more, but I meant to say it looks like some folks don’t accept that they didn’t keep two of them …
A pity though they couldn’t solve the mystery, it means an [unknown] very dangerous criminal is still free to commit his/her crimes against children.
When we work, we all make mistakes. Take for instance a commercial manager. When we look at his/her performance, we’re adding up his/her failures and his/her successes. Sometimes for instance when a manager has lost his/her credibility or becomes controversial he/she has to go. NOT because of one particular incident, but because of a whole lot of things, some reasons are objective, others are subjective.
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Duncan
I remember Carmen was partial to a bit of quilting?
Or you could start on Des O’connor if you want me to go & leave you alone with whoops…..???
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Artemis
Apologies to you and Totje!
I have never known Totje be anything other than wisely observant…often with a sting in the tail of course! Good point, Totje, and absolutely right. Missed your excellent irony through skimming too quickly. Some people are very happy to accept that RM has had his status removed, but are not quite as happy about the other two.
I’m sure Totje knows very well I would never suspect her of missing much. She is far too wise and we are always on the most cordial of terms.
As for my other post, just do whatever you like with it now, Artemis!! I can’t remember how to do the blushing icon…..but imagine it anyway!! Thanks.
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:11 pm
How do documents ‘leak’-are they made of liquid or something-always puzzled me.
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:08 pm
M&A
Artemis
Cheryl,
You must have missed the post by the M&A asking people not to post about this ‘leaked’ document since we have no way of knowing whether it is genuine or not. It seems likely that if it is genuine it will be officially released tomorrow
___________
Artemis - I haven’t seen any leaked documents to even refer to them by. I’ve been saying the above for months about her having a lawyer and if so one listens to one’s lawyer. That is nothing new coming from me, Artemis! That has always been my reply when people said she didn’t answer any questions. Further, we all know supposedly he accused her of taking her daughter’s life from many months ago and she screamed at him - surely that is not a surprise and if it is referred to any so-called leaked documents it certainly isn’t anything we all haven’t known about.
I’m not arguing at all with you but holy hell if what I’ve been saying for months is in those documents then it will be mighty boring reading once we have access to them.
But that is not true at all when I think about it — I think it will be an absolute circus on here when everyone reads whatever is in the Police Report and starts second-guessing the Police and giving their own interpretations of what they said or didn’t say in it…Anorak ought to charge admission!
————–
M&A
Artemis
Cheryl, your comment arrived in the midst of other comments about an allegedly leaked document relating to Kate McCann’s interview with the police; hence my concern.
And I shall forward your suggestion about charging admission to the appropriate quarter; I think it’s a wonderful idea, but Anorak may disagree.
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:07 pm
….and a tail which let you know which end it wanted to be fed…..’ Yes, Ok so i do.
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Whoops
Bet you used to do all the sound effects to this one too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tT_YO16lbU&NR=1
O.K. That’s it. That’s your lot now. There only so much Val Doonican a person can take at one sitting !!!
Back to the debate. Now where were we? Who’s fighting with who?
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Actually Duncan my dad too had those records so perhaps she’s not telling porkies. Must be around 40…….like me
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Oh Delaney had a donkey that everyone admired….
Never heard of that one either!
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Fair
She was singing Paddy McGinty’s Goat the other night.
I think Whoops is older than she’s letting on (her dad had this LP - oh yeah, pull the other one!)
What’s the betting she knows all the words to this one too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaPKA9U6ik8&feature=related
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Walk tall & look the world right in the eye. That’s what my mother told me when I was about knee high. She said son be a proud man & never …………
Never heard of it!
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Walk Tall still brings a tear to my eye-go on if you’ve never heard it have a look at duncan’s link…..and Duncan you look great peeping over that lovely floral suite.
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Artemis
I came back just to see if Totje had actually gone. Like me, she sometimes stays a bit longer even after saying goodbye…there’s always the temptation to see one more response!
Certainly I will change “sacked” to “removed from the case”. Apologies.
If I did that, would it make the post acceptable? Sorry to give the bother of having to read it again. If you don’t like it, just pull it and leave in the bit about all three arguidos having their status lifted. Not sure if Totje just made a slip.
My apologies. Will certainly not use that word again.
—————–
M&A
Artemis
My impression, for what it’s worth, is that Totje was making the serious point that all three arguidos had had that status rescinded, but that some individuals did not want to accept that outcome; hence her reference to 2 out of the 3.
I appreciate that she may presently have an eyepatch, but even with one eye she is eminently capable of noting the salient facts.
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Erm-I never said but -erm just he wrong side of 40-My dad had this LP-well all 3 of us were word perfect -could even do the sound effects to Denny O Rafferty’s motor car-Erm…I’ve also seen James LastLive in concert…er and Des O’Connor.
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:46 pm
She’ll be singing Paddy Mcginty’s goat next
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Whoops
How old did you say you were?
You show a surprising familiarity with Val’s ‘Greatest Hits’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qovk67yMiFI
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:37 pm
All gone quiet here-Duncan this is your chance to shine like Sir Cliff at Wimbledon….go on, give us a song….Now Denny O’Rafferty’s motor car was the greatest I declare, it was made up of bits n’pieces that he picked up here and there….
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Night again……happy evening………gone.
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Duncan…. do I get a gold star for not responding? (just kidding!)
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:04 pm
C&C-You’re right cats do show emotion-they hate me too!!!!
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Whoops said…. I mean they don’t do anything, they just pussy foot around and take,take,take-no affection, no emotion just cold, cold creatures
Very good there! If you were on 3 arses you would get a gold star for a McCannism!
However, cats do so show emotion! I made a dedication in my first book to my favourite ever cat. I adored him. Mr C&C always said he knew the pecking order in the house. Cat first…….
Though I have to say my current cat is rather aloof and superior. (half siamese)
Now I am off to the TV. The rain just doesn’t do it for me.
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:53 pm
VQ
You are coming across as incredibly childish now!
Is that really the impression you want to give?
I am the mildest, gentlest, good-humoured of the Mods on this site
but I am starting to get irritated by your behaviour.
The Mods have made a reasonable request of you . (Remember the difference between USA and UK libel Laws?). Can you not accommodate that request? What difference will a few hours make to asking your question? What is gained by gratuitously insulting other posters other than to portray yourself in a poor light? Do you not want your arguments to be taken seriously? If you continue to post in this vein you will find that folk will scroll past your posts and simply ignore you. If you wish to engage people in debate, I would suggest you are not going the right way about it. Take a break for a few hours and calm down.
I say this with your best interests at heart (before you are tempted to launch a serious of insulting posts at me)
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:51 pm
c and c
I have wondered if Rebelo would have made a better job of it from day one. Amaral says he felt “limited” in his investigation by the presence of the British Ambassador! (I’m not sure if that’s quite the way in which he was “limited”!) I don’t think Rebelo would have felt limited by anyone. His reputation went before him and he felt himself the equal of anyone, I’m sure. It was actually said at one point that the truth would be given, no matter who was hurt by it. My impression (no more) is that Rebelo just got on with the job in a thoroughly professional manner. I’m sure he is sorry he could not find what had happened but he is probably too stable and too confident to feel himself a failure. But then, he wasn’t sacked and neither is he facing trial for perjury. Not a nice way for poor Amaral to end his career, whatever the outcome of the trial.
Enjoy the telly!
vq
You certainly may call me a nitwit and a pinhead!! And I’m delighted to return the compliment!
It’s better than what Ian-of-old called me, anyway…..”the most dangerous poster on Anorak”!!!!
AND you didn’t hurl a stream of colourful, adolescent abuse at me!
Quite mild in the insults stakes really. Feel free to try for something stronger!
Have a pleasant evening, vq.
Night all.
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:50 pm
I mean they don’t do anything, they just pussy foot around and take,take,take-no affection, no emotion just cold, cold creatures. BTW I’m still talking about cats.
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Fair
[one last post before I quit]..
Re the 40+ questions, how do we “know” it really were that many? I recall their lawyer stating GM answered all questions and KM didn’t answer a few [5?].
And yes imo it very well could have been her/their lawyers advice. Like they also allways tell their clients not to answer any questions when they’re not around.
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Cos a post (which I didn’t see) was pulled. Silly…..
My sister in law was here this afternoon and she hates cats. we have to lock ours away! But I’m tolerant….
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Hi Maria,
It’s nice to see you’re still posting too.
Yes it looks like some of us do accept the outcome of the investigation by Rebelo.
Yet it looks like some posters are still spinning and can’t accept the fact that two of the three arguido’s aren’t arguido’s any longer. Looks like they think they know it better then the pj team, prosecutor, AG….. Even without having access to [all] the files…
But don’t worry, the self-proclaimed Saint A. knows what happened and who did what, without being able to explain the inconsistencies in his theories.
And to me it looks like he’s blaming everybody for the failure of his investigation.
Btw I’ve heard a rumour about the real reason for his resignation. Got it from a very, very high ranked policeman, but can’t repeat it because it’s a rumour and I can’t proove it’s right, so it might be libellous. Wouldn’t want to do to him what the “anonymous sources” etc. did to the McC’s, is it?
Would be interesting to see if he’s sued for libel because of what he wrote in his book…
Would be also interesting to see how he’s going to proove it IS the truth and not a lie…
[sorry I've got an eyepatch at the moment so it's difficult for me to read or type, nothing really serious though and it will be removed tomorrow, so then I'll be okay again, but untill then I shouldn't be posting, but I couldn't resist
]
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:37 pm
C&C-Brave-it’s my middle name-as usual I’m a bit slow on the uptake-why has VQ gone off on one?