January 2nd, 2008 at 12:42 am
Karen Says:

January 1st, 2008 at 5:41 am
A McCann Supporter

That’s sentimental crap.

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Goodness me Karen what a harsh statement, and a happy new year to you too. I’m glad you’re not a friend of mine!!

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No - it’ not sentimental crap, it’s right on the button and the sooner the McCanns face up to what they did, the better. To go on world-wide tours and all the hoorah and publicity has been obscene. The child is missing, they should get down to looking for her not planning the next TV appearance

January 1st, 2008 at 5:41 am
A McCann Supporter

That’s sentimental crap.

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Goodness me Karen what a harsh statement, and a happy new year to you too. I’m glad you’re not a friend of mine!!

That’s sentimental crap. Leaving a child in an unlocked apartment is stupid, refusing to admit it’s wrong is revolting and whatever they’re suffering they’ve done so many questionable P.R. stunts that I think we’re right to assume that their vanity is stronger than their grief.

America? The Edinburgh Festival? That’s useful how?

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Ian -
Thanks for all the info on bringing up children. I have had four, and all of them have survived throughout their childhood. I am sure my son, who is 6ft 3ins, 14 years old and a kickboxing expert, would take exception to the above stipulation!!

As far as the McCanns leaving their children alone is concerned, I, like the rest of the country completely disagree with what they did, but I do think that now is not the time to punish them for their actions. They have enough to cope with in searching for their daughter, and I am sure the heartache that they are suffering now because of their irresponsible actions are punishment enough.

All I want is for Madeleine to be found safe and sound, and to be returned to her parents so that she can have all the help she needs to have a happy and carefree life. The future wellbeing of that precious little girl is my only thought.

That picture turns my stomach

Thanks for the information Tony.

74
Tony Bennett

“European Arrest Warrant”
Exactly!!

Fingers crossed.

We’re now being told (Corrieo da Manha) that the delay in the letters is because the “translation is difficult”…..

So far, we’ve been told initially, the delay was a lack of forensic evidence from the FSS; then when it became clear that wasn’t forthcoming, suddenly they were to be sent anyhow - but it would take the police a few weeks to script the interviews (why they wouldn’t have been doing that anyhow is an obvious question….) - then they were waiting the prosecutors’ review - then they’d ben sent, but the Brits were delaying - then they hadn’t been sent, and the PJ had decided to sit on their hands ’till after xmas - now, it’s because the translation is hard….of course, it’s not that the PJ could have thought in advance that they were going to need these letters translated…..it’s only the first point on the Home Office’s on-line guidelines to submitting assistance requests (last updated June ‘07)…

“Requests must be made in writing in English or be submitted with an English translation. If no translation is provided the Central Authorities will ask for one and the request will remain unexecuted until the translation is received.”

What’s the betting, next week, we’ll be told they have to be redrafted, because they’ve been eaten by the Prosecutor’s dog!

The real reason why they’re not forthcoming is far, far simpler……they have to:

“A summary of the facts of the offence(s) and details of the offence(s) committed or alleged. The request should make clear that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the offence has been committed and that proceedings have been instituted in relation to the offence or, if proceedings have not been instituted, that the offence is being investigated……

…..• The purpose for which the evidence or material or other assistance is required and the relevance of the assistance to the investigation or proceedings. A nexus (direct link) must be established between the facts of the case as detailed in the request and the evidence requested. This goes further than just stating that the material is relevant to the case. In reading the case summary the executing authority should be able to anticipate what assistance is required. Why is the material relevant? How does it advance the case? What supporting evidence is already in the requesting authorities’ possession or what facts are in existence that lends support to the necessity of obtaining the evidence requested?”

Note that last sentence…..

Also note, no-one is able to confirm that the Prosecutor as yet applied for the three month extension required if the opening of the PJ is going to avoid the opening of the case files to the McCanns lawyers on 3/1.

And, God knows, they want to

“Magistrate and legal expert Carlos Casimiro said police would be ‘desperate’ to extend the secrecy deadlines.

He told the Portuguese newspaper Diario de Noticias he thought the most likely outcome would be “the delay of the investigation in a desperate attempt to seek enough evidence to make an accusation”.

He added: “This is an exceptionally high-profile case and it is the country’s image which is at stake.” ”

So, it seems, it’s no longer about Justice, it’s about the reputation of Portugal’s Police.

Of course, there could be a similar problem to that with the letters…..

It appears that the supervising Judge must be presented with “reasonable cause” to delay opening of the files. Indeed, it seems the the delays are only permissible in cases which involve drug trafficing, organised crime, people trafficing, international banking fraud etc.

And, of course, the McCanns lawyers are now party to the process - and the Judge’s decision is appealable, unlike the Prosecutor’s in November. Plus, these decisions are open to review as far up as the ECHR in Strasbourg - and the Judge and Prosecutor are going to be VERY careful he doesn’t find himself eing hauled over the coals for a poor decision there - it’s the sort of thing that destroys otherwise promising legal careers.

I would buy every member of my famile one, i bet it would be a run away best seller.

Would he be allowed to do it once he resigns from the PJ ? Maybe someone should suggest it to him.

+++++++++++++++++

I honestly don’t know… Though I suspect that if the Madeleine case was still an ongoing investigation there would probably be rules preventing him from discussing it directly.

Still, that’s what ghost writers are for – you know “a senior source formerly close to investigation who cannot be named”. “Faction” novels can be an interesting technique for exploring historical events, why not a high profile “missing person” case? Alternatively he could always “retire” somewhere that doesn’t have an extradition agreement! I suspect Team McCann would do everything in their power to prevent publication of such a book, so perhaps best left until charges are brought, hopefully!

Amaral has the appearance/demeanour of someone who is seriously peed off with the way his investigation has been interfered with and hindered. We may have to wait, possibly years, but I’d be very surprised if in time he didn’t tell all.

One slight correction. If you look at my first post on this thread, #2, it has nothing to do with that issue. Instead, I was trying to discuss the relevant topic of the two sisters’ accounts.

However, post #3, NOT MY POST, raises the issue, and I thereafter was merely REPLYING to someone I now regard as engaging in “cyber-stalking”. My posts were not made in order to “return to the issue” — they were made despite my aversion to the issue.

I made VERY CLEAR in the previous thread where the issue came up that I was NOT INTERESTED in it. I am very glad you are helping to put an end to it’s being raised repeatedly. Thank you.

“Hideki, see post #3 from this morning.”
I suggest you see post #496.

“I’m so thrilled Mods and Admin had the sense to stand up to the abusiveness you post on here! ”

One sentence was deleted. But I’m glad to know that gave you a thrill.

“You are so far beyond offensive.”

Thank you for the compliment.

December 31st, 2007 at 6:21 am

Almost time to party

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Not for me; I have to see a man about a hob.

But later would be good!

Thanks for confirming that the comments are now gone. Here’s what I managed to salvage.

493 K. Keesha–thanks, I noticed that Tony published the first 18 comments earlier in the day. For the sake of cohesiveness, I am including those in the long list below, too.

Comments posted to Ian Bell’s Sunday Herald article (now no longer visible online at the Herald):

QUOTE

Posted by: Meadow, Bristol on 7:57pm Sat 29 Dec 07

To repeat, as the friends of the McCanns go on repeating: there is no evidence for any accusation. That means, can only mean, that there is no right to draw a conclusion or to judge. For the nastier obsessives, fingering their keyboards, that sort of logic is no deterrent whatever
repeat the quote:
there is no evidence for any accusation.
What is that double speak for ?
If I was Madeleine’s mother, I would never have left Portugal, not with that ”tag”

Posted by: Kirsty L, Edinburgh on 7:57pm Sat 29 Dec 07

When devotion to a faith is exploited to grab headlines, one has to question its sincerity.

The practise of true faith is quiet and dignified. Genuinely devout believers do not need Clarence Mitchell by their sides, or a possy of PR photographers filming them each time they pray.

Please don’t assume they are devout just because they adorned cuddle cat in rosary beads. That is exploitation of a faith not devotion.

Posted by: Eric McCoo, Glasgow, UK on 8:09pm Sat 29 Dec 07

Dr McCann’s mother in law said they weren’t religious. The catholic angle is just another scam perpetrated on the gullible.

Does Mr Bell think the Portugese police who said they believed Madeleine was dead and weren’t investigating any other possibility are guilty of common malevolence, witless sentiment, vile fantasies and having sick thoughts ?

Witless sentimental journalism of the lowest kind.

Posted by: N Davies, Swansea on 8:15pm Sat 29 Dec 07

No evidence for accusation? Absolutely no evidence whatsoever of abduction either! And who said that the DNA evidence has turned out to be “flimsy or worthless”? Has Calamity Clarence been whispering in the author’s ear?

Instead of spewing out garbage like this how about conducting a proper analytical investigation of the whole affair and question the many inconsistencies in the stories of the McCanns and their fellow child neglecting friends?

Posted by: Stuart Taylor, England on 8:16pm Sat 29 Dec 07

Mr Bell, there is such a thing as free speech in this Country. Your Opinion is allowed under that right. Do not abuse that right by calling People Freaks. If Gerry and Kate do not want to be viewed suspiciously, I would urge them to return to Portugal and answer the Questions put to them by the Portuguese Police, not use an ex-Goverment “Spin Doctor” to Cloud the issues.

Posted by: N Davies, Swansea on 8:22pm Sat 29 Dec 07

I wonder how long these comments will remain on here - if it’s like all the other newspaper online comments sections then anything remotely critical of St Gerry and Mother Kate McCann will be removed in nest to no time!

Free speech my eye!

Posted by: Eric McCoo, Glasgow, UK on 8:30pm Sat 29 Dec 07

As the Herald is based in Glasgow, it is only natural to ask whether Mr Bell is a catholic or a protestant atheist ?

Does he believe the Portugese police were lying when they presented incriminating evidence to the McCanns, evidence reported by the public prosecutor and the McCann’s relatives and hired spokespeoplen ? How does he know the dna is worthless ?

Does he believe Portugese people are generally untrustworthy ?

Posted by: Angela M, Ayrshire, UK on 8:37pm Sat 29 Dec 07

One wonders why Mr Bell is not full of the milk of human kindness for the third suspect in this case. Or does the Herald, like the Sun, assign to Robert Murat the status of ‘one-eyed oddball’, and deem him not worthy of journalistic sympathy?

Posted by: Tom Mayhew, Bristol on 8:39pm Sat 29 Dec 07

There may not be evidence, but apply a little logic.

IF the McCanns really believed Madeleine had been abducted (from Warner staff for all they knew) the last thing they would do is leave the twins alone again in the resort under the care of Mark Warner staff.

If they believed Madeleine had been abducted, I would like to see an explanation for their smirks and their laughter days after Madeleine had gone.

If they believed Madeleine had been abducted, it would put her life in danger to conduct a campaign that is so high profile.

They tell us they are co-operating with police. They refused to answer basic police questions.

They tell us they would take a lie detector test. When offered they decline.

They exaggerated how near they were to the apartment from the Tapas bar.

They exaggerated how often they checked on the children.

They fled Portugal like a pair of common criminals as soon as they were made arguidos. They clearly have no intention of helping the police.

Instead they operate a campaign of spin and misinformation dragging innocent people into their sordid little cat and mouse game with the police.

Anything they say should be taken with a grain of salt. Only the most gullible would be taken in by them.

The police are working overtime on this case to nail them. I believe nail them they will.

Posted by: Jim, Newport on 8:43pm Sat 29 Dec 07

A remarkably low quality piece of journalism. The lack of objectivity is startling and more than a little concerning. Ignorance and arrogance are the twin supporting pillars of the UK’s tabloid (gutter) press. What a saddening example.

Posted by: Barbara OC, South Yorkshire on 8:45pm Sat 29 Dec 07

Mr Bell - I am a fifty-nine year old grandmother who posts on message boards and who believes that the McCanns should go back to Portugal and answer all those questions they refused to answer before they ran away. Like many people in the UK, I’d like to know why they refuse to answer those questions.

And because of this, you call me a freak and accuse me of having vile fantasies. Well Mr Bell,thirty-odd years ago I started out with two children. I still have two children. I never abandoned them for the drink, ever. If you think I’m a freak, so be it. I stopped caring what UK journalists think a long, long time ago …

Posted by: mostyn, liverpool on 8:59pm Sat 29 Dec 07

find the pic of st.gerry and mother mccann coming out of church on mothers day smiling and laughing at the crowds just 9 days after that dear little girl went missing

Posted by: K Smith, Skye on 8:59pm Sat 29 Dec 07

In my opinion, the McCanns have used their so called faith in an attempt to manipulate public opinion. God teaches love. Does love include leaving your own children alone in an apartment, far from home, while you go drinking? The McCanns should be assisting the police in every possible way and answering ALL of the police’s questions honestly. Instead they hire a spin doctor. Is it any wonder people view them with suspicion?

Posted by: Meri on 9:00pm Sat 29 Dec 07

People regardless of faith pray for strength and guidance. It is not ‘God’ that keeps Maddie from her family but the humans that took her.

Posted by: Ella, England on 9:04pm Sat 29 Dec 07

Whatever happened that night the couple have turned to God to help them through it and I am glad they have done so. Putting their missing childs image out to the public was also something we applaud.
However - flaunting your faith in public and speaking about your personal lives will obviously be asking for trouble.And it did!
The Catholics suggested that they are hardly devout if they used IVF. And their daily blog about jogging and having fun could hardly have been expected to gain them praise.
So the moral of this tale is - keep the focus on your missing child or live with the resulting bad press - which they unfortunately have had to do!

Posted by: Lynn.D, North of the Border on 9:08pm Sat 29 Dec 07

Thank you for your comments Mr Hill - and don’t forget take your valuables and lock the door on your way out! God Bless

Posted by: Alan Mirror, Oxford on 9:16pm Sat 29 Dec 07

Well, you seem to have sunk lower with this piece of so called Journalism. If Kate and Gerry McCann had not left 3 year old Maddy babysitting her 2 year old brother and sister, none of this would have happened. If the McCanns want to put a stop to the accusations, then go back to Portugal and answer every single one of the 40 questions put to them. They didnt answer one of the questions before, they offer to take a lie detector test…….and yet nothing. They pay the mortgage for two months on the trot, out of the fund, when us mere mortals would have taken a Mortgage Break for a year. The smirks and total lack of emotion, leads to more accusations. When Kate and Gerry McCann and their spokesman Clarence Mitchell start answer questions, then maybe the conspiricy theorists will abate. Until such time, you McCanns courted the press, and the press will have their day. As…………they always do.

Posted by: Tom Mayhew, Bristol on 9:18pm Sat 29 Dec 07

Ian Bell is the worst type of journalist. His idea of journalism is to repeat what Team McCann say. A decent journalist is analytical and asks questions. A decent journalist has an enquiring mind and demands answers.

I challenge anyone to tell me what relevant questions Ian Bell has asked about the behaviour of the McCanns.

Without doing that he is simply another mouthpiece for a pair of child neglectors who may have murdered their child.

He is worse than Clarence Mitchell. At least we know Mitchell is nothing more than a spibn doctor. What pathetic excuse has Ian Bell got?

Posted by: LB, Birmingham on 9:20pm Sat 29 Dec 07

‘There is no evidence for any accusation’???

There is no evidence of any abduction either!

None of the ‘friends’ have publicly stated that they saw Maddie, alive and well, at any point during the day of May 3rd!!
The McCanns have NEVER, with their own mouths, told us how they, and Maddie, spent their last day together.
And this ‘writer’ expects us all to ‘believe’ the whole McCann story WITHOUT question!!

DECENT people want to know what REALLY happened to the little innocent 3yr old!
The ‘writer’ would like us to forget about her and worship at the feet of the St McCanns.

Posted by: Damien on 9:21pm Sat 29 Dec 07

A classic example of there being no God!! Wheather they are guilt or not, I don’t think they are, what was God doing when whatever happened went on??! They believ, but they haven’t been over the top about it.

Evolution. It is so much more believable. Just think about it.

Posted by: Marie, Ireland on 9:24pm Sat 29 Dec 07

Come on you people, what about charity? Why are you enjoying the unhappiness of the McCanns? Surely you must have something in your lives that could make you so inclined to hate these people that you don’t even know?

Posted by: Brian, At home on 9:29pm Sat 29 Dec 07

I think society’s faith in professional journalism has been severely tested by the McCann spin.

Perhaps this is why so many so called “freaks” turned to internet chatrooms in the search of truth and objectivity.

Posted by: brian, At home on 9:33pm Sat 29 Dec 07

Please don’t accuse the public of showing a lack of chariy to the McCanns.

They had so much charity that they were able to pay the monthly mortgage payments on their £500k house from the proceeds of kids bring and buy sales.

Posted by: Carole Williams, Bucks. on 9:37pm Sat 29 Dec 07

Can I have my “tuppence” worth please? I object to being called a pious freak by an ill-informed and ignorant journalist. But hats off to the Sunday Herald for having the courage to allow - at long last - some adverse comments to be printed.

Posted by: Philomena Piggycann, 020-316 on 9:44pm Sat 29 Dec 07

What is Kate and Gerry McCanns connection with Mr Geraghty? The man that they left the Renault Scenic with. Is he a spokesman and representative for a company trying to build a 9 Million Pound extension to Glenfield Hospital in Leicester? Can anyone shed any light on this. This is quite important. Thank You.

Posted by: Shu, London, UK on 9:59pm Sat 29 Dec 07

This isn’t journalism!

Posted by: Christine, Hants on 10:02pm Sat 29 Dec 07

God Bless Madeleine. Betrayed by the people should have cared for her.

The priest who helped and supported the McCanns in Praia da Luz is now a broken man. According to his friends, they have ruined his life. He knows how many people have been used by them, including the church that he has devoted his life to.

Posted by: granny.g, East Midlands on 10:08pm Sat 29 Dec 07

It’s quite reassuring to see that adverse comments haven’t been deleted - yet. I’m a grandma too and managed to raise mine without once being tempted to leave them home alone whilst I went out drinking and I think this is what the general public just cannot comprehend. I don’t consider that the majority of us are posting vile fantasies and are just concerned that a lovely little girl has disappeared without trace. I do blame the parents for whatever has befallen the child because if they had been there for her, it would never have happened. I remain open minded as to their guilt or innocence if she should be dead as the Portuguese police seem to think but plainly, if they hadn’t neglected their three small children, this would never have happened.

Posted by: retiree, near the water on 10:21pm Sat 29 Dec 07

After having read that tripe, I now know what a journalist ISN’T! Mr. Bell, YOU ARE NO JOURNALIST. You, Mr. Bell, are a HACK! I would look for another profession, if I were in your slippers, dear fellow. The McCanns have had their love affair with the press for far too long. When they refused to use proper math with the press, the police, and the public, it was time to call it a day. By math, I mean they never gave the truth that added up. Nope nothing they say adds up. There are countless stories to explain everything. It’s beyond rediculous. How ANYONE could believe these two liars is beyond me.

Posted by: She, Spain on 10:26pm Sat 29 Dec 07

True believers in God do not need to exploit the church, the McCanns could pray in their own home without all the hype and the Clarrie spin. If they are innocent why get Clarrie to keep telling us, go to the PJ now, answer the questions, help the Portuguse police insteaf of ridiculing them What have Metado 3 done, NOTHING, other than exploit the Mc’s

Posted by: Valerie, Devon. on 10:31pm Sat 29 Dec 07

Tom Mayhew wrote:
There may not be evidence, but apply a little logic.

IF the McCanns really believed Madeleine had been abducted (from Warner staff for all they knew) the last thing they would do is leave the twins alone again in the resort under the care of Mark Warner staff.

If they believed Madeleine had been abducted, I would like to see an explanation for their smirks and their laughter days after Madeleine had gone.

If they believed Madeleine had been abducted, it would put her life in danger to conduct a campaign that is so high profile.

They tell us they are co-operating with police. They refused to answer basic police questions.

They tell us they would take a lie detector test. When offered they decline.

They exaggerated how near they were to the apartment from the Tapas bar.

They exaggerated how often they checked on the children.

They fled Portugal like a pair of common criminals as soon as they were made arguidos. They clearly have no intention of helping the police.

Instead they operate a campaign of spin and misinformation dragging innocent people into their sordid little cat and mouse game with the police.

Anything they say should be taken with a grain of salt. Only the most gullible would be taken in by them.

The police are working overtime on this case to nail them. I believe nail them they will.
Say’s it all for me.The way Kate McCann described Madeleine’s ‘abduction’ with a click and whoosh as if someone had snatched her handbag and not her 3 year old daughter was cold and unemotional.And that was filmed by their friend not too long after Madeleine disappeared.Convinced me there was no abduction.

Posted by: Taylor, UK on 10:35pm Sat 29 Dec 07

An extremely biased, unfair piece of ‘journalism’. The writer conveniently forgets there is not a single shred of evidence that Madeleine was abducted, not one piece. But there is definite evidence of a death, confirmed by the British dogs taken there for that purpose. The McCanns declined to answer all the questions put to them by the Portuguese police … why? They said they wouldn’t leave Portugal without Madeleine … why did they come back the minute they were made official suspects? Gerry McCann’s brother complained recently that the public weren’t giving enough money into the fund … how much more do they want, as more than £1million has been donated by a very generous public? They are handing over £50,000 of the public’s money every month to a Spanish firm who have consistently said they were close to finding Madeleine and she would be home for Xmas … well, where is she?

A little bit of fairness is not too much to ask for in an article, is it? People who question the McCanns’ version of events are not freaks, they are honest ordinary people who do not appreciate being expected to swallow ridiculous stories of faceless abductors without question. Polls show that over 70% of people in the UK don’t believe the McCanns … are over 70% of the UK population freaks? Or are we just the ordinary men and women in the street, the kind who want fair play and justice for Madeleine. We do not want this case swept under the carpet; we want the truth, no matter how unpleasant.

Posted by: Angie on 10:45pm Sat 29 Dec 07
Looks like this site has been hijacked once again by Mirror Forum posters. YAWN.

Posted by: pam, New Zealand on 10:58pm Sat 29 Dec 07

I think it is a well written piece of journalism. What proof is there that there wasnt an abduction? Theres no hard proof of anything!! except that those children were left alone, and I believe thats all the Mccanns are guilty of. How they have kept their faith in God through all of this, I’ll never know. They cant win whatever they do, if Kate doesnt cry, shes cold, if she does cry its fake, thats just one example. I will never forget the look of pain in Kate Mccanns eyes in those first few weeks.

Are they really supposed to sit back and forget Madeleine existed when there is NO evidence of her death. Hope there are some answers soon.

Posted by: Claire, Manchester on 11:32pm Sat 29 Dec 07

If the McCanns had answered the questions put to them by the Portugese police, they may have been eliminated from the enquiry and the police would have then been able to concentrate on the abduction theory. I think the McCanns owe it to their daughter to have answered those questions, if they are innocent as they say.

I also think that it is wrong for the McCanns to complain about their treatment by the press but to allow their private detectives to leak stories which point the finger at others. Highly hypocritical, and unfair, especially as the media is so one-sided and anything against the McCanns is a slur/smear, but Murat is called a ‘one-eyed oddball’. Ridiculous!

Having said that, I remain open-minded about whether they were involved or not and hope that the truth is uncovered soon! I also hope that there will soon be balance in the media and that people will not be abused for expressing their opinions about the case!

Posted by: Ann, USA on 11:49pm Sat 29 Dec 07

Oh bitter bugs. The truth is none of you know anything about this case but for biased journalism. It is easier for some people to blame the McCanns because they have no one else to turn their venom on. When the child is found or someone confesses then we will know. The McCanns would be the first to admit they made a mistake, unless they are indeed guilty, by leaving the children. Who has not made a decision only to regret it or wonder why you thought it was OK later. I don’t believe they had a hand in her disappearance, however I do want them to be prosecuted if they are. Please don’t pass judgement when you really don’t know.

Posted by: N Davies, Swansea on 12:06am today

Ann, USA posted: “The McCanns would be the first to admit they made a mistake, unless they are indeed guilty, by leaving the children.” ….

…Well Ann, clearly they wouldn’t be “the first to admit they’ve made a mistake” as they still haven’t admitted it after EIGHT MONTHS! They still try and justify consistently leaving a 3 year old toddler to babysit her two year old siblings alone in the dark in an unlocked apartment in a foreign country…whilst the parents spend hours out on the lash!

And in the contex of this article by Mr Bell…I’m sure God would be so proud of them.

Posted by: Angela M, Ayrshire, UK on 12:09am today

The Sunday Herald has invited its readers to comment. And they have. The McCanns actively courted public opinion and continue to do so. Too bad if the public don’t wish to sing from the same hymn book as the McCanns and their spokespersons.

Posted by: Ann, USA on 12:14am today

Kate McCann did say “Why did I think that was OK”. Its true that you can feel and say what ever you want. That is your “right”. The difficulty for me is where does the will to be so vile against these people comes from. You really don’t know what happened that night.

Posted by: Pam, Manchester, UK on 12:16am today

Mr Bell, you say that Kate and Gerry McCann are a ‘plainly devout’ couple. How then do you explain Kate McCann’s own mother saying on a televised programme that she was surprised that Kate had asked her to contact their local priest as Kate wasn’t particularly religious?

A truly devout couple would know that children are a precious gift that need to be cared for as they are unable to care for themselves. There wasn’t much caring from the McCanns of their children on that holiday was there?

Posted by: Ann, USA on 12:19am today

Where else do you turn when you are in great distress and sorrow? If they weren’t “particularly religious” before, they maybe feel the need for God more now.

Posted by: Colin Edwards, Dundee on 12:20am today
The McConns are GUILTY of child neglect (by their own admission). They are also official police suspects in what looks increasingly like infanticide. Why then, do what were once quality papers like the Herald allow idiots like Ian Bell defend such contemptible people?

Posted by: AC, London on 12:56am today

pam wrote:
I think it is a well written piece of journalism. What proof is there that there wasnt an abduction? Theres no hard proof of anything!! except that those children were left alone, and I believe thats all the Mccanns are guilty of. How they have kept their faith in God through all of this, I’ll never know. They cant win whatever they do, if Kate doesnt cry, shes cold, if she does cry its fake, thats just one example. I will never forget the look of pain in Kate Mccanns eyes in those first few weeks.

Are they really supposed to sit back and forget Madeleine existed when there is NO evidence of her death. Hope there are some answers soon.
Well written piece of journalism, where?
I’ve yet to see an article in any British newspaper that has given the reader what they expect from their press, an unbiased reporting of the facts they have to hand. Instead we are feed spoonful after spoonful of pure sycophantic drivel. WHY?
Long gone are the days of the good old British journalist, who you could be sure would dig deep for the truth and not stop until they had an article worthy of being read by the masses.
Shame on the British press for being no better than the McCanns.

Posted by: LB, Birmingham on 1:20am today

Journalism is well and truely dead in this country. True, educated and investigative journalists have been replaced by ‘meeja studies’, wet behind the ears, graduates….bought up on ‘Hello’ and ‘Celebrity’ publications, who never go out and check on any source…..but write verbatim what the PR companies fax them!
If they think the UK public are swallowing the Team McCann propaganda they are very sadly mistaken! We want JUSTICE for the child!

Posted by: Tony Quinlan, uk on 1:21am today

Without a doubt the worst bit of ‘journalism’ I’ve ever had the misfortune to read.
How anyone can be taken in by all the nonsense fed to the press by Mitchell is beyond me.
Only 3 things cannot be hidden….the sun, the moon and the truth.
Justice is coming.

Posted by: Grand, UK on 1:34am today

Mr Mccann is a consultant with BUPA. The information below is taken from the BUPA website.

“What does the law say?

English law does not specify an age when a child can be left unsupervised. However, parents may be prosecuted for neglect if they leave a child alone “in a manner which is likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health” (Children and Young Persons Act, 1933).

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) advises that no child should be left alone under the age of twelve, or overnight under the age of sixteen. Even a short stretch without a parent or another adult around can be distressing and lonely for a young child. Most eight to thirteen year olds, even if they feel happy about being left, may not be ready to cope in an emergency.

Can I leave my baby alone for a short while?

Never leave a baby or toddler alone, even for a few minutes. There are many dangers in a house for an unsupervised child. Leaving a child who is asleep is not a good idea, either - he may wake up and try to come looking for you. Also, being alone in the dark can be terrifying for a small child”.

Posted by: judy, Edinburgh on 1:38am today

God that’s bad. Here’s something to chew on Ian. The McCanns apartment was locked. Firmly locked. That’s what they put out at the beginning, via several different stories. Then the tale of the jemmied window was exposed as fiction and suddenly the patio doors were left open to make it easy for their friends to check on the kids. (Which they probably didnt; at least not to the extent of actually looking at them).
Then add the fact that instead of doing everything possible to help the police find their child they are doing everything they can to obstruct them - treating them as the enemy in fact.
Set aside all the stuff about being arguidos and spending the money, the cartoon Private Eyes,the pompous blog, the extradiction lawyer, the obsessive media campaign, the McCanns own frankly unpleasant behaviour and manifest failure to actually go looking for their kid - and just concentrate on those two things.
Now do you get it?

Posted by: wendyann on 2:03am today

Since day one there has been no objective reporting of this case. What has happened to investigative journalism? The media seem content to believe whatever they are told by the McCann’s and their spin team.

Posted by: Karen, Paisley on 2:12am today

They can hardly blame God if they left the door unlocked, and considering the police in Portugal have made them suspects, it’s slightly odd to imply that anyone in Britain who criticises them has no cause to and is some kind of monster.

Posted by: Tony Quinlan, uk on 2:19am today

It’s a shame no Newspaper dare publish this superb piece.

http://forums.mirror
.co.uk/viewtopic.php
?t=33946&view=next

Posted by: Andrew, UK on 2:38am today

Ian Bell, you are a lazy jounalist without a clue. If the Mc’s were not so selfsish they would still have Maddie, forget everything else, they would still have her. They are selfish and neglected her for a beer. Feel ashamed this month when you take you pay cheque home as you have done nothing to deserve it. In fact if you feel so passionate about the Mc’s then send them this months pay.

Posted by: Alan, New Zealand on 2:54am today

It seems to me that the majority of the comments written in response to this article emphatically demonstrate one of its central thrusts! People have bought into a particular view of what happened that necessarily requires a predisposition towards it, and a press that manipulates it for sales. The view that the McCanns were guilty of some insidious or devious act or plot cannot be deduced as fact from the reported evidence. Even the PJ continue to pay attention to abduction possibilities.

Instead of the posturing of some, those positing the McCanns guilt can only work by suggestion; it is theory not fact. No one can say they are guilty for no one has all the facts. If you want to say they are guilty then offer up the facts - not the half baked ‘reports’ relied on above, but evidence (and then go tell the PJ so they can act on it for even they do not yet ‘know’). Lets see some reasonableness and humility here, even if only to stop yourself looking like a fool. I get exasperated by those who take a definitive stand on this case for somehow they have discerned from the ether what other mere mortals cannot see.

In my opinion the evidence is far stronger for the abduction theory but that enough ambiguity exists to suggest other possibilities. I do not think it is possible to be any more definite than this at the moment.

Posted by: SD, Victoria, Australia on 3:03am today

Regardless of the McCanns being guilty or innocent in relation to their daughters dissapearance. I believe they still should be charged and fined for leaving there 3 children abandoned. There actions have cost the tax payers & police department time and money which could have been spared by them being responsible parents not socialite’s. No parent should ever leave children alone at home, for many reasons. They want to thank GOD! that they still have their other 2 children. For Madeleine I hope she is safe and well.

Posted by: Tom Mayhew, Bristol on 3:21am today

I expect that these messages will be deleted as soon as somebody at the Sunday Herald sees them.

They can delete the messages and they can slur ordinary people who ask relevant questions, but the thought police like Ian Bell who are oh so shocked that anyone should see through the McCanns cannot delete our intelligence and our sense of justice.

I believe the people asking the questions want justice. It is the McCanns who have courted publicity and who employed a Gordon Brown spin doctor. They thought they would get a hotline to the PM who could protect them. Brown has already meddled in this case.

It has been reported that the PJ would have already arrested the McCanns if they were Portuguese and this had not become politicised.

Yey Ian Bell implies they are victims of the media coverage. They chose to walk the gauntlet of spin and misinformation whilst failing to answer simple questions put by the police.

Why is that Ian Bell? Week after week McCann spin. Today the McCanns tell us they will return to Portugal as soon as long as their arguido status is lifted.

Obviously they are not interested in the truth. If they were they would be in a police station now banging their fists on a table demanding to help the police with their enquiries.

But they are not doing that. Why is that Ian Bell? Tell us? Funny you don’t spend as much energy defending Robert Murat. Is it because you have already decided which side you taken take and your position is immovable?

Posted by: Mike on 4:07am today

In Scotland, the verdict that the McCanns were responsible for the death/disappearance of Madeleine would be Not Proven - which normally means we think you did it but cannot prove it. Something stinks when there is a lack of evidence - this could only happen with a cover-up. They protesteth too much and the orchestration of the press & constant rollout of aunts, uncles & granparents is obscene. They supped with the devil(media) & now it’s coming back to bite them.

UNQUOTE

Wishing everyone a very good New Year!

May 2008 bring you all that you desire!