Madeleine McCann: Praia da Luz Calls, Maddy Shunned And Portugal On The Edge
MADDYWATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann.
DAILY MAIL page 36: “Madeleine: Portuguese detectives trawl thousands of phone records”
Police are looking through phone records of Praia da Luz’a 27,000 residents at the time of Madeleine’s disappearance. They are looking for unusual call patterns. Bugging calls
A local resident of Praia da Luz says the police questioned her, saying: “We are investigating all calls made within Praia da Luz from 9.30pm onwards on May 3″
Says the McCanns’ spokesman Clarence Mitchell: “Any information could prove vital”
THE SUN page 15: “Maddie cops seize local phone bills”
“They are using a method of triangulation which pinpoints a person’s location via their mobile and are also checking land-line calls”
Can it work? Says the Sun: “Mobile phone evidence exposed holes in the alibi of Soham murderer Ian Huntley”. And that is similar to this case because..?
DAILY MIRROR front page: “MADDY – Blitz to fined phone clues”
Page 10: “COPS CHECK EVERY CALL ON DAY MADDY VANISHED”
Well, not every call. Just calls made in the area of Praia da Luz by those 1,000 persons on a police list
DAILY EXPRESS page 19: “Now Madeleine police seize all phone records”
The papers says the search is in light of talk of a “massive conspiracy”. The Express is belived to be fond of a conspiracy
Says Clarence Mitchell: “Kate and Gerry are encouraged by this police work because it shows the investigation is now active and thorough…Crucially they also hope it may lead to them being reunited with Madeleine”
DAILY STAR: “PARENTS SHY AWAY FROM NAME ‘MADDY’”
Or Madeleine, for that is her name
The name Madeleine is “now lower than at any time in the past five years”. It is now the 80th most popular name. Says a child psychologist called Ruth: “The majority of people who hear the name Madeleine automatically associate it with her”
What the top girl’s name is readers are not told, nor where Kate features. The Telegraph says it is “Grace”, as in Baby Grace
NEW YORK TIMES: “Portugal Polishes Its Image as the ‘West Coast of Europe’”
Portugal wants to reposition itself. Portugal is exciting, shiny, new and historical.
But: “The unsolved case remains a big story for the British tabloids, and there have been reports of declines in tourism from Britain, an important market for Portugal.
“Over all, though, tourism remains strong, Manuel Pinho, Portugal’s minister for the economy and innovation said. ‘This is a tragic case, of course, but it has not affected the numbers,’ he said. ‘It’s a very peaceful country, a very safe country’”
December 20th, 2007 at 8:19 am
HURRY, HURRY, HURRY! LAST FEW DAYS OF ‘THE ‘FSS CHRISTMAS SALE’.
New bargains added daily, so why not go along and make a gift selection from:
1 bag of clothing found at the airport (contents unspecified)
1 box of tissues (never used)
1 blanket (never used)
1 pair of Tanner’s spectacles (never used)
1 pair of luminous ‘Eyehore’ pyjamas (can be seen from 120m away)
1 camera (faulty timing device)
1 ‘Photoshop’ (perfect working order)
1 tape measure (automatically reduces all measurements by half)
1 phrase book (contains only 3 words – ‘ludicrous’, ‘hurtful’, ‘unhelpful’)
1 pad of ‘40 Quiz Night Questions’ (only two answers completed on 9 of the sheets)
1 Bible (just 2 pages marked)
1 Diary (only half the pages missing)
1 bottle of perfume (‘The Scent of Death’)
1 ‘Bedtime Star Chart’ (unfortunately starless)
1 child’s hair bead (all hair very, very, very carefully removed)
2 ‘Cuddle Cats’ (1 old called ‘CC’, 1 new called anything but ‘Mohammed’)
1 ton of Madeleine’s favourite cuddly toy (Auntie Phil)
1 butterfly (a ‘Red Amarel’)
1 barn owl (sorry, that’s a catalogue misprint and should read ‘barn towel’)
1 nanny (ideal for the kids)
1 scapegoat (ideal for the nanny)
500 red herrings (all overcooked)
1 bag of rotting meat (well, turkeys may be scarce this Christmas)
1 bag of dirty nappies (NOT leak proof ‘Pampers’)
50 drums of ‘Calpol’ (perfect for a quiet Christmas)
50 spare drums of cleaning fluid (works on everything but stains on character)
1 washing machine (worn out)
1 ‘Orange’ mobile phone (right out of juice)
1 window shutter (as new)
1 fridge (two cold frosty owners)
500 matching sets of his/her co-ordinated outfits (only sold as sets – no divorced items)
2 doctors’ white coats (hardly worn)
1 complete SAS outfit (could be exchanged for 1 ‘Action Man’ figure)
1 damaged Achilles tendon (perfect for the vulnerable)
1 well used tennis racket (no good for ‘serving time’)
100,000,000,000 wrist bands (could be exchanged for 2 pairs of handcuffs)
NB 1 forensic manual ‘Leaving No Stone Unturned’ (sorry, item no longer available - stolen by someone in the FSS)
SO WHY NOT HURRY ALONG NOW TO THE ‘FSS CAR BOOT SOIL’.
(All items going cheap – except for Cuddle Cat which goes ‘meow’)
December 20th, 2007 at 8:27 am
Swannie - Portuguese Police Scatter Ash, Twister, Clarence Mitchell ventriloquist doll, Rober Murat Oddball Eyeball, Gordon Brown bandwagon etc…
December 20th, 2007 at 8:28 am
Any “takers”???
December 20th, 2007 at 8:32 am
swannie - very funny
December 20th, 2007 at 8:33 am
but did you miss out the granny trimmed tree and ’spare’ presents under it?
December 20th, 2007 at 8:40 am
NOTW was down because of changes …
now it’s back with changes … new sponsor is “Child Safe” … and IF ” Code Madeleine” … had been in place at the moment … abduction wouldn’t have happened !!!
http://www.esplendordelaforma.blogspot.com
December 20th, 2007 at 8:46 am
[Re-posted from last night, with a P.S. at the end:]
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THE FIRST OFFICIAL REPORT THAT A GIRL HAS GONE MISSING
12.01 AM ON THURSDAY 4 MAY
121 MINUTES AFTER KATE MCCANN CRIED OUT: ‘THEY’VE TAKEN HER’
This news report from the ‘Daily Telegraph’ is being actively discussed on another forum. It is claimed, probably correctly, that this was the first-ever news report on Madeleine ’s ‘disappaearance’.
Does anyone else, like me, see anything very unusual about this news report, bearing in mind how close it was to Kate claiming at 10.00pm that Madeleine had ‘been abducted’?
And who do you think might have been the ‘Foreign Office Spokesman’?
Only one guess allowed:
=======================================================
Three year-old feared abducted in Portugal
By staff and agencies - Daily Telegraph
Last Updated: 12:01am BST 04/05/2007
A three-year-old British girl has gone missing while on a family holiday in Portugal, the Foreign Office said today.
Portuguese police are investigating the disappearance from a holiday complex in Praia da Luz in the western Algarve.
A Foreign Office spokesman said that he understood the girl’s parents had gone to have dinner once their children were asleep last night, but returned to check on them only to find the girl had gone missing.
“They reported it straight away,” he said, adding that consular assistance was being offered.
UNQUOTE - ENDS
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P.S. I have decided to pursue this by writing to the Foreign Office under Freedom of Information Act 2000 and asking these questions:
1. Who was the Foreign Office spokesman who spoke to the ‘Daily Telegraph’?
2. At what time did the Foreign Office first become aware that ‘a girl had gone missing’?
3. At what time did the Foreign Ofice/British Embassy decide to offer and provide ‘consular assistance’?
4. Who made the decision to grant ‘consular assistance’?
5. To whom did the Foreign Office speak to, to obtain the details that “the girl’s parents had gone to have dinner once their children were asleep last night, but returned to check on them only to find the girl had gone missing”?
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I will post their response here
December 20th, 2007 at 8:53 am
7 Tony Bennett
TP10 IMO. Excellent line of enquiry.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:57 am
1, Swannie
2 pairs of jogging shoes (soles worn shiny)
December 20th, 2007 at 8:59 am
6 Pepe
Hopefully Madeleine will be better remembered for Madeleine’s Law rathth ‘Code Madleine’.
A reminder that Madeleine’s Law says: “Never leave young children on their own”.
Here’s an extract from the News of the World site on ‘Code Madeleine’:
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As soon as the alarm is raised it will kick-start an immediate co-ordinated hunt by all the parties concerned - holiday companies, hoteliers, police and the child’s family.
Had our new code been in place when little Maddie was abducted from the Praia da Luz apartment, while her parents were dining just yards away, the procedures could have foiled the snatch.
The scheme is backed by the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO), whose members take 18 MILLION Brits abroad each year, AND the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA). Among the big names who have thrown full support behind us are Teletext, First Choice, BA Holidays, Thomas Cook, My Travel, Thomson Holidays, Virgin Holidays and Cosmos.
Their employees will be trained in a set procedure covering the six-point SOS plan [scroll down and you will find this]. Look for the Code Madeleine symbol when booking holidays to be sure staff are ready for action.
Andy Cooper, Director General of the FTO, said: “We’re pleased to have helped develop Code Madeleine and hope it will bring added reassurance to millions. All of our major members have agreed to support and adopt it.” Child protection charity Child Safe’s spokesman said: “We wholeheartedly applaud and support you.”
Independent hoteliers and operators who want to sign up to Code Madeleine should email newsdesk@notw.co.uk for details.
============
I find it truly appalling that ‘Code Madeleine’ says NOTHING about the dangers of parents leaving young children on their own, without which ‘Code Madeleine’ would hardly be needed.
The 6 points of ‘Code Madeleine’ read almost like a charter for parents who want to go out boozing for the evening leaving young children on their own.
As time permits, I’ll write to the companies who are behind this, pointing out the defects of their campaign.
Perhaps worst of all, Madeleine’s image is being associated with the ‘fact’ of abduction. Here’s an extract from the NOTW site: “when little Maddie was abducted”.
I wonder what the charity ‘Child Safe’ has to say, on the record, about leaving young children on their own?
December 20th, 2007 at 9:07 am
From the site that Pepe linked to at (6) :
“When asked why they decided to leave their three children alone while they went out, Gerry responded boldly to answer the critics who say that three young children should not have been left by themselves. “If you actually look at our own actions and those of the group – the speed of response – Mark Warner, the resort manager was excellent”
“From the minute we discovered she was gone – the speed was excellent – alarm out within 10 minutes and the missing child protocol was set up very quickly – everything was in place very quickly and all the staff were contacted and all returned to the resort immediately and local search was started. ”
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Gerry DID NOT answer the question at all. As usual, he went into defend mode over their actions.
Gerry says : “If you actually look at our own actions …” ….. Yes Gerry we’ve looked at your actions over and over again, and the fact remains you and your dear wife “caused” the disappearance of your daughter, no matter which way you try and defend yourself.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:10 am
7 + 10 Tony Bennet
SUPER
Txs
December 20th, 2007 at 9:13 am
Well done, Swannie & Mr. B.
Bags the ventriloquist’s dummy.
Says Clarence Mitchell: “Kate and Gerry are encouraged by this police work because it shows the investigation is now active and thorough…Crucially they also hope it may lead to them being reunited with Madeleine”
“Report: McCanns found guilty.”
Says Clarence Mitchell: Kate and Gerry are encouraged by this verdict because it shows the investigation has been active and thorough…Crucially, they also hope an early parole may lead them to being re-united with each other”.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:15 am
Code Madeleine
” 5. Hotel management or holiday company staff to use best endeavours to ensure any suspected crime scene area is isolated and kept free of contamination until police arrive.”
Gerry and Kate are now sponsors, AFTER they destroyed all evidence in their OWN crime scene …
December 20th, 2007 at 9:15 am
14 is for Tonny Bennet
December 20th, 2007 at 9:16 am
IMHO “Code Madeleine” in practice is not an answer to the problem. The problem is about parent-awareness. Parent’s should not feel comfortable to leave their children alone just because “Code Madeleine” is enforced at any place. It’s like allowing a dog to bite your child because you know that you can take them to the doctor for stitches!
December 20th, 2007 at 9:16 am
1 Swannie
You forgot to add:
“FREE with every order - The Gerry McCann guide to disposing of rotting meat”
December 20th, 2007 at 9:16 am
13
ja ja ja
December 20th, 2007 at 9:18 am
16 Julie
Good analogy, I might make use of it when I write to ‘Child Safe’ and these other companies who are promoting the child-neglector’s charter: ‘Code Madeleine’.
Isn’t there a saying: ‘Prevention is better than cure’?
December 20th, 2007 at 9:21 am
13 Anonymous says (December 20th, 2007 at 9:13 am):
“ ‘Report: McCanns found guilty’. Says Clarence Mitchell: ‘Kate and Gerry are encouraged by this verdict because it shows the investigation has been active and thorough…Crucially, they also hope an early parole may lead them to being re-united with each other’.”
Surely the headline will be:
“MCCANNS FURY AT ‘GUILTY’ VERDICT”
December 20th, 2007 at 9:23 am
Forever Searching is a group dedicated to raising awareness to missing children worldwide. Please visit our website to see a little of what we do http://www.foreversearching.com
We are looking for volunteers to help within our small, friendly, professional group. Can you spare some computer time? As a volunteer, you will need to use the internet to research possible target audiences, as well as emailing posters of missing children worldwide.
You will be allocated a Team Leader who is there to assist you whenever needed. You will be required to email your weekly progress reports to your team leader and discuss where to focus next.
We just need you to be computer literate, reliable and have a passion for children.
Application procedure: Please send an e-mail to register@foreversearching.com. Remember to mention where you saw our advert.
Thank you
http://www.foreversearching.com
December 20th, 2007 at 9:25 am
swannie excellent
Tony Bennett
Are you suggesting Clence is not just an arse licking bystander?
December 20th, 2007 at 9:26 am
clarence
December 20th, 2007 at 9:26 am
10 Tony Bennet
Child Safe Ambassadors
Emerus Professor Freda Briggs AO - Professor of Child Development at the University of South Australia.
James Gibson MBE - Reigning World 50 metres breaststroke champion.
Gabby Logan - BBC Sports Presenter.
Reverend Susan Osman - Interfaith Minister and BBC journalist.
Senator Landon Pearson
Information about the Honourable Senator Landon Pearson - Canadian Senate Advisor on Children’s rights.
Nick Ross - TV and Radio Presenter, Journalist and Conference Moderator.
Jane Seymour OBE - Actress.
Danielle Grijalva - Director of the Committee for Safety of Foreign Exchange Students.
Child-Safe Supporters.
Rt Hon David Blunkett MP.
Rt Hon Charles Clarke.
Peter de Jong - Director General of the Pacific Asian Tourism Association (PATA).
Rt Hon John Denham MP.
Esther Rantzen - Chairperson for Childline and TV Producer.
Carol Vorderman - TV Presenter.
Child-Safe Directors and Trustees.
Helen Bamford
Chris Gould
Paul Lillington
Paul Gooding
Phillippa Wallis
http://www.child-safe.org.uk/about/
December 20th, 2007 at 9:27 am
The wildest, most outlandish, crackpot theory on any of the forum debates is that MM was abducted. The trickle of truth is waiting to burst through the British press dam, with catastrophic consequences for all concerned.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Yup Tony, “Prevention is most definitely better than cure”
Something that should be instituted into “Code Madeleine” is that if a resort finds parents who are leaving their children unattended in rooms, then this resort should be obliged to report these parents to the local child protection units.
“Code Madeleine” appears to be nothing more than a life-jacket for neglectful parents.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:31 am
Jez
You sound like my kind of person!!
December 20th, 2007 at 9:32 am
7
Tony Bennett Says:
December 20th, 2007 at 8:46 am
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I will post their response here
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Well if you get as much joy out of them as I have out of any of the authorities I have ever written to, then pardon us if we don’t hold our collective breaths !!
December 20th, 2007 at 9:34 am
24
Jez Says:
December 20th, 2007 at 9:27 am
The wildest, most outlandish, crackpot theory on any of the forum debates is that MM was abducted.
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Is this as “outlandish and crackpot” as the one where the little girl was taken from her bath whilst her mother was actually in the house and then found freezing cold and naked in the street some hours later ??????
December 20th, 2007 at 9:35 am
26 BF
Glad we share the same views – as every intelligent person does when considering the wealth of compelling observations brought to the forums. The problem has always been putting the facts to a wider audience. That brings it back to the press embargo!