Madeleine McCann: Tapas Nine ‘Clarify’ Stories, Clarence Mitchell Says And Anne Enright In New York
MADDY WATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann
DAILY MIRROR front page: “McCANN FRIENDS ‘CHANGE THEIR STORY’ – Shock Claim over Madeleine police statements”
A reports in Spain’s El Mundo newspaper says two of the ‘Tapas Nine’ have altered their stories
“Simply untrue,” says Clarence Mitchell
Page 9: “WHAT’S THE STORY? McCann friends ‘to clarify evidence they gave to cops’”
Says Ms Jane Tanner, who told police she saw a man hurrying from the McCanns’ apartment with a bundle under his arm: “It is absolute rubbish. We’ve had no contact with the police”
But would she know for certain?
“GERRY TXTS MYSTERY” – Claims are that Gerry sent 14 text messages on the night Madeleine vanished
DAILY EXPRESS front page: “MADELEINE – NOW TAPAS PALS CHANGE THEIR STORY”
Page 9: “Why are McCann friends changing their statements?” – It is alleged two of the ‘Tapas Nine’ diners have contacted police in order to “correct” their statements
The Express says four members of the group are about to be named as official suspects: Dr Russell O’Brien, Jane Tanner, Matthew Oldfield and Dr David Payne
Says Clarence Mitchell: “All friends have consistently told the truth. They have no need to change their statements as they have nothing to hide… To suggest they are changing their story is an utter misrepresentation of their willingness to help the police”
Says Jane Tanner: “We’ve had no contact with the police. I won’t say anything else because it would be twisted.” Anyone know what he means by that?
“Gerry 14 texts mystery” – Gerry McCann is said to have sent the messages from this phone as he was dining with his friends
THE SUN page 20: “TAPAS 7 FURY. McCanns’ dinner pals WON’T be changing statements to police”
The Sun hears Clarence Mitchell speak. And from Jane Tanner. And says: “But several contradictions have emerged since Madeleine went missing”
Robert Murat’s lawyer says: “He is very frustrated because he is still an aguido more than six months after the child’s disappearance and they have still made no concrete accusations against him”
DAILY MAIL page 7: “Tapas Two ‘want to change their story about Madeleine’”
“If true,” says the Mail,” the decision by the unnamed pair is the first rift in the group, who have been accused of operating under a ‘pact of silence’”
Gerry McCann is a “consultant cardiologist”
DAILY STAR front page: “MADDIE – McCann friends change story”
Page 9: “MADDIE: TAPAS PALS CHANGE THEIR STORIES” – Or not
DAILY TELEGRAPH page 7: “McCann friends want to change their stories”
NEW YORK TIMES: “Congratulations on the Book Award, and Welcome to the Scrutiny”
In the Book section is Booker Prize winner Anne Enright:
“The essay was about Madeleine McCann, who was 3 years old when she disappeared this spring in Portugal. In the essay Ms. Enright tried to work through a cacophony of complicated emotions toward the girl’s parents, including reluctant voyeurism, distaste and pity. But newspapers here and in Britain picked out a sentence in which Ms. Enright said that she “disliked the McCanns earlier than most people” and ignored what she wrote afterward: that she was ashamed of the impulse and, in the end, rejected it.
“Her publishers should have put a large brown bag over her head immediately,” Janet Street-Porter wrote in The Independent on Sunday, in a typical comment. “I urge you not to buy Enright’s book until she apologizes for this slur”
THE GUARDIAN, THE INDEPENDENT and THE TIMES: No Madeleine news

November 8th, 2007 at 7:53 am
1st ??
November 8th, 2007 at 8:02 am
I’m sure the clarification will be along the lines of this -
PJ: “You stated earlier that you considered the McCanns to be good people”
‘Friends’: “Yes”
PJ: “What is it about that statement you wish to change?”
‘Friends’: ” We would like it on record that Gerry and Kate are in fact manifestations of Jesus and Mary”
PJ: “Thank you - that will be all”
British Press: “Hail the second coming - Jesus turns Tapas Bar water into wine”
Teddy Boy: “What a load of fucking rubbish”
November 8th, 2007 at 8:06 am
I’m right behind you TB
November 8th, 2007 at 8:09 am
Would be a lot better if you were in front
November 8th, 2007 at 8:12 am
morning all.
It is reported this morning that Russel O’Brien mentioned in his initial statement to the PJ that he called the cleaners to change his bed covers because his daughter was sick that evening. However, the cleaners did not register any such call.
What relevance could this have for the investigation? Probably little, but it does confirm that there was some attempt of a cover-up of something. You don’t make up a story like that because you’ve had too many drinks. It suggests that there’s been an intention to obstruct the investigation by providing false or misleading information. IMO more than enough reasons for him to be made official suspect.
If they want to help in the investigation why don’t they all get into a flight and go to Portugal?
http://www.correiodamanha.pt/noticia.asp?id=264865&idselect=10&idCanal=10&p=200
November 8th, 2007 at 8:18 am
Simple really. O’Brien used Gerry’s phone and the 14 texts are to the cleaners (the belligerent detergent lovers). I bet they sniff some kind of fumes and are horrible, they better apologize…or I’ll boycott!
November 8th, 2007 at 8:21 am
I am really sick and tired of them changing the story, next we will hear that they were really in blackpool and now were no where near portugal
November 8th, 2007 at 8:24 am
Morning All, Im off to work in a minute, but will look back in later. Can someone tell me if the arguido status can be extended once the 8 months is up? Are team mccann just dragging it out by all these claims just to waste time?
November 8th, 2007 at 8:25 am
O’Brien must hold the key to this mistery.
He allegedly left the dinner table at 9.30 to check on his vomiting child. I can’t believe for a moment that a doctor (or any parent for that matter) would leave a child alone knowing she was sick. On top of that, it looks like there was no vomiting and there was no changing of the bed covers (according to the cleaners).
Whatever happened in that half hour O’Brien was absent from the table, is the key to Madeleine’s disappearance.
Bring back Amaral and leave him alone in a room with O’Brien. He’ll get that clarified.
November 8th, 2007 at 8:27 am
Is everyone still hopeful we’ll get a conclusion?
I’ve gone pessimistic - I think we’ll be in this speculation limbo forever.
November 8th, 2007 at 8:33 am
Yes for sure either o. Brien or Jane Tanner has something to do with this all. I wonder if the police read all these letters that we send on this email. I hope so because with all the stuff we write here sureley thay will think of something or somebody who is guilty.
November 8th, 2007 at 8:33 am
10 - Karen - Dont give up hope. - I know things are different in Portugal for a start but let me just explain something quickly. When my daughter was killed, my son age 6 at the time was the only witness. The driver who killed her was not prosecuted by the police due to lack of evidence and lack of witnesses. But, I brought a private prosecution against him as they courts can use circumstantial evidence in a private case. The company the driver worked for were charged with corporate manslaughter, although the actual driver didnt even get a single point on his license let alone a jail sentence. All I am saying is that if all esle fails, I do believe there are many people including myself that will want to do something to bring justice for madeleine, and will stop at nothing to make sure these parents at the very least have a record of child neglect.
November 8th, 2007 at 8:34 am
5 Solaris Says:
“It is reported this morning that Russel O’Brien mentioned in his initial statement to the PJ that he called the cleaners to change his bed covers because his daughter was sick that evening. However, the cleaners did not register any such call.”
This makes the staff even more suspicious.
“What relevance could this have for the investigation? Probably little, but it does confirm that there was some attempt of a cover-up of something. You don’t make up a story like that because you’ve had too many drinks.”
And you don’t make up a story that involves witnesses (i.. e. staff members called) which would not back your story.
There are a couple of things which make the staff suspicioius:
- Burglaries in the weeks before where the intruder might have had keys to the appartment.
- The staff knew that the group left their children unattended every night during dinner.
- No staff member remembers handing over new sheets.
- The alleged 14 bottles of free wine while the group according to another waiter only drank up to ten every night (but obviously less on May 3rd when they finished earlier). (Though I don’t think that this fraud is connected to the abduction).
November 8th, 2007 at 8:35 am
BTW nice photograph today!
November 8th, 2007 at 8:37 am
Andy
I think the happy laughing photos you posted yesterday say far more than words about the despicable McCanns. Grieving parents? I think not. They look more like they’ve won the lottery – then again they more or less have!
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/viewPhoto?uname=svsport&aid=5100129797040900625&iid=5113719317846502402
http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=610x.4d0.jpg&album=0&fullsize=1
November 8th, 2007 at 8:38 am
Ferdinand, you think that it’s not possible for 9 people to cover-up an accident, but the 50+ staff of the Mark Warner resort are all covering up for an abduction.
It makes as much sense as a doctor / parent leaving his / her children alone whilst out for dinner - despite knowing that the child was sick.
It’s much clearer for me now. Thank you.
November 8th, 2007 at 8:38 am
Just_me
I hope so.
November 8th, 2007 at 8:39 am
9 Sherlock Says:
“He allegedly left the dinner table at 9.30 to check on his vomiting child. I can’t believe for a moment that a doctor (or any parent for that matter) would leave a child alone knowing she was sick.”
But he did not leave her. How could he know that she was sick before he went to check?
November 8th, 2007 at 8:40 am
Do not worry.
The PJ are brilliant.
I have absolutely faith in them.
They are probably drawing on other investigators as well.
I think there are several regions that would love to push Britain’s nose in the shit over this latest debacle - I think help is coming in from all corners.
Fear not the guilty will be found to be guilty.
It is not the McCanns dragging it out. It is the P.J. playing the game. They are in control. Do not forget that for a moment.
November 8th, 2007 at 8:41 am
Andy
I think the happy laughing photos you posted yesterday say far more than words about the despicable McCanns. Grieving parents? I think not. They look more like they’ve won the lottery – then again they more or less have!
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/viewPhoto?uname=svsport&aid=5100129797040900625&iid=5113719317846502402
November 8th, 2007 at 8:42 am
8
just_me, I’m not 100% sure, but I imagine if they bring the case in front of a judge, they could prolong the status? Wasn’t there talk about something similar to that anyway?
I’m very sorry to hear about your daughter, I am happy you sought out justice for her though, through the company.
9
Sherlock, I thought Tanner left between 9:15 and 9:30? I suppose they did say there were checking every 15-30 minutes. Hopefully, this new line of questioning will bring about something, anything, that will bring justice to Madeleine (no matter who is involved). In any case, the timings do appear to be off, intentional or not, and it needs to be looked into more.
10
I’m not really sure, Karen. I hope we do. The McCanns made that statement about living under the cloud of suspicion being terrible (along with losing their daughter, they did reference that as well). I don’t really know how I feel about that, if the McCanns are innocent, it is still possible that one of the friends could be involved and if that is the case (which there is no proof or good reports on that now, so it doesn’t seem likely) but anyway, if that is the case, I expect the McCanns will still see a public backlash for the PR and the sticking together comments (which is sad, but I can see it happening).
November 8th, 2007 at 8:42 am
Ferdinand - I think he then left his daughter (after 30 minutes) and came back to the dinner table shortly before Kate gave the alarm that Madeleine was missing.
November 8th, 2007 at 8:44 am
If it was an abductor, I would suspect a staff member or another guest. I don’t think a non-resident would have the time to spot a child and stalk her and steal her.
My spam word keeps not being in the box. I keep having to open the audio file to find out what it is. Is anyone else having the same trouble or is it just me?
November 8th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Well as I questioned here before:
How likely is that for someone who has an ill child, who was sick and even choked, to leave her alone at home and go for a party with friends in a restaurant?
You must be jocking if you say you would do that or… or drugs!
If you said you did that the most likely is that you are covering up for something or you are definitelly mad!
November 8th, 2007 at 8:46 am
13 Ferdinand,
I agree denial by staff could, could mean the opposite of Solaris’ theory.
But you wrote:
There are a couple of things which make the staff suspicioius:
- Burglaries in the weeks before where the intruder might have had keys to the appartment.
- The staff knew that the group left their children unattended every night during dinner.
**********************************************************************************
Do you have evidence of these statements? I have never read any report where authorities names were given regarding these alleged break ins and no other MW guests have come forward to say they were victims of a burglary. And how would the staff know the McCanns left their children unattended? Even if somehow they did - according to Clarence Mitchell ALL BRITISH holidaymakers leave their children unatttended. This means children being left unsupervised would be no big deal to the MW staff. They could throw a stone from reception and any villa hit would have unattended children sleeping inside. The Tapas couples all left their children without a minder on May 3rd. If what you say is true, why would the McCanns be targeted? Why no abductions before at the OC or any other MW resort? Why was Madeleine snatched and not the twins? Why not all three? Why weren’t the other couples’ children kidnapped? But if you do have non-tabloid sources confirming your allegations I would be very interested in reading them.
November 8th, 2007 at 8:46 am
15 Solaris Says:
“Ferdinand, you think that it’s not possible for 9 people to cover-up an accident, but the 50+ staff of the Mark Warner resort are all covering up for an abduction.”
Be serious! Nobody says that the whole staff is involved.
“It makes as much sense as a doctor / parent leaving his / her children alone whilst out for dinner.
OK, so we agree that the theory is at least just as good as the others.
November 8th, 2007 at 8:51 am
Swannie
Andy
It is Gerry’s look of absolute glee whenever he’s getting attention that puts me off. I don’t think using your daughter’s misfortune as an ego-trip is acceptable (even if they’re innocent).
I know it’s Kate that most people don’t like - and while I can’t say her anorexic, moany, cold, perfectionism is something I can connect with - at least she looks unhappy.
November 8th, 2007 at 8:51 am
Ferdinand 25, even if your theory is correct, and the staff had something to do with Madeleine’s possible abduction, why would they deny that O’Brien asked them to change the bed covers????
Sorry, could you explain? I don’t get it.
November 8th, 2007 at 8:52 am
“Her publishers should have put a large brown bag over her head immediately,” Janet Street-Porter wrote in The Independent on Sunday, in a typical comment. “I urge you not to buy Enright’s book until she apologizes for this slur”
Thought U.K. was the oldest democracy. What is hapening ???
November 8th, 2007 at 8:53 am
Quick correction to my own post:
“I don’t really know how I feel about that, if the McCanns are innocent, it is still possible that one of the friends could be involved and if that is the case (which there is no proof or good reports on that now, so it doesn’t seem likely) but anyway, if that is the case, I expect the McCanns will still see a public backlash for the PR and the sticikng together comments (which is sad, but I can see it happening). ”
I meant to say that there isn’t full proof or obvious suspicion that one of the McCann’s friends acted without full knowledge of any of the McCanns. It is possible, but there doesn’t seem to be any big clues (as, apparently they asked their friend to check on their child).
I hope everyone else has a nice day, free-from abuse day. (as obviously, Madeleine wouldn’t be or any other victims we don’t yet realize or know about, meaning that possibly the McCanns are victims of their friends, or that the extended family is a victim to the McCanns, or, that the world is victim to this abductor). Just in case anyone jumps on me for trying to wish others a good day in a kidnapped or murdered girl’s thread.
Karen, I have that problem too, it makes me miss the maths question. I know some posters keep two windows open, one to refresh on, the other to post (as if you don’t refresh often you can see the spam word, if you refresh too much, you’ll have to listen to it on audio-although that did open my eyes to a career field I never really thought of- not for myself, just in general).
Anyway, have a nice afternoon everyone, and the fictional personas (not posters) and animals too.