Shannon Matthews: Craig Meehan Denies, Roy Greenslade Writes And Whispers
MADDYWATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann and Shannon Matthews
DAILY MIRROR: “SHANNON STEPDAD HITS BACK - I NEVER LAID A FINGER ON HER.”
The media carries much news of how missing Shannon Matthews is being ignored. A smaller reward. Just one celebrity friend. The picture of a missing child. A child not there.
She is not Madeleine McCann, say the papers. Her stepfather Craig Meehan is not erudite Gerry McCann. But he is “beleaguered”. Fingers are being pointed. Speculation. Whispers. If not Gerry McCann, is Craig Meehan the Mirror’s “creepy” Robert Murat?
“I THINK HE’S A DECENT GUY..Missing Shannon’s real dad backs under-fire stepfather.”
Says Leon Rose: “I’ve always thought he was a decent guy. Whenever I went to pick up Shannon he’d be around. It was obvious she looked up to him. If she’s got time for him, then so have I.”
Whisper: “Shannon’s grandmother June Matthews claimed at the weekend that he was a sinister presence in the family home.”
Whisper: “Worried uncle Martin Matthews said Shannon told him that Craig hit her and begged to stay at his house the day before she disappeared.”
Says Craig Meehan, who has lived with “mum of seven Karen” for four years: “I’ve never laid a finger on Shannon. To tell the truth, these allegations say more about Karen’s mother than they do about me. She’s never liked any of Karen’s ex-partners and is always trying to make trouble for us. She wants to rule Karen’s life.”
Says Uncle Martin Matthews: “Shannon came here at teatime. She said to me ‘Please can I stay here tonight? I can’t go home as I’m in trouble’.
Says Uncle Martin: “Shannon has shown me bruises on her arms and told me Craig lashed out at her.”
Says “Grandmum” June: “Karen was a great mum before she took Craig in. Those kids were loved and cared for. Since he arrived, they’ve had a terrible time.”
Karen Matthews says “Rubbish”.
Fingers are pointed. Whispers. One fact: Shannon Matthews is missing. But no yellow ribbon in the Mirror’s masthead. No solidarity. Just introducing the family. One by one. No yellow ribbon. Not yet…
GLASGOW DAILY RECORD: “I Never Hit Shannon Matthews, Claims Her Stepdad.”
THIS IS LONDON: “Missing Shannon pleaded to uncle the night before she disappeared: ‘Please let me stay’”
Martin Matthews is pictured. He is sat on a sofa. He says the missing nine-year-old told him: “Please can I stay here tonight - I can’t go home because I’m in trouble.”
Martin Matthews. He is sat on a sofa. He is sat between his parents. June and Gordon Matthews. Karen Matthews mum and dad. Arms around one another. Pictures being taken. Says Uncle Martin Matthews: “She sobbed all the way home because she was frightened. But I told her to go back. I regret it now. The next day she vanished.”
June Matthews. She is sat on a sofa. She is sat with her husband, Gordon, and son, Martin. Arms around one another. Pictures being taken. Says June Matthews: “We’re not saying this lightly, we know how serious these allegations are, but Karen needs to tell him to leave. We’re doing this for her sake and the children’s sake.”
Martin Matthews tells the reporter: “She came here at tea time the day before. She is good friends with my kids, Tyler and Levi and often comes here to play. But this time it was different. She was upset and kept asking to stay the night. For some reason she didn’t want to go home.”
He tells how sobbing Shannon pleaded: “Please let me stay here. I don’t want to go home. I’m in trouble.” He continued: “She said she had an argument with Craig and swore at him. As a result she was grounded. I told her she really shouldn’t stay and she should go home, especially if she was grounded…”
GUARDIAN: “Shannon: portrait of a mother’s anguish”
Roy Greenslade writes: The media’s continuing concern about its differing reactions to the disappearances of four year-old Madeleine McCann and nine-year-old Shannon Matthews has been explored yet again in the Sunday Telegraph in a fine piece by Olga Craig. Just as the Independent on Sunday asked the week before, she wonders why Shannon’s disappearance has not been at the forefront of national attention…
But what distinguishes the Craig article is the way in which she paints a poignant portrait of Mrs Matthews’s obvious anguish. Three weeks on from the day her daughter failed to arrive home, it is one of the most sympathetic description of Shannon’s mother to appear in print.
Madeleine McCann and how to tell a grim story
Posted: 10th, March 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann, Tabloids Comments (1,161) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
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March 11th, 2008 at 9:17 am
RedRooster
I’ll save you the trouble : Leave my Ciara alone McFool.
March 11th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Ciara
It truly was not a joke at you - it was a joke about our multi-poster conversation and you being mentioned 2 seconds before you turned up.
But if I’d known how much of a tosser you are, obviously I wouldn’t have made it.
March 11th, 2008 at 3:15 am
813
Ian Says:
March 10th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
718
Cheryl
What you fail to recognise is that the McCanns have the best lawyers money can buy, there is nothing for them to fear if they are innocent.
The fact that they are afraid to face the PJ speaks volumes.
__________
Ian, I certainly do recognize they have the best lawyers money can buy! Who said they are afraid to face the PJ’s? Once again, they have the best lawyers money can buy and when one pays top lawyers top money one listens to their advice!
March 11th, 2008 at 1:39 am
any pertinent news?
March 11th, 2008 at 1:15 am
Being OT, I didnae really expect an answer.
Maybe I’ll just drench the buggers in olive oil and have jalapeno flavoured olive oil for a wee while.
And hope I dinnae die of the botulism!
Nite nite.
March 11th, 2008 at 1:11 am
I would imagine that the chillies will taste very nice
March 11th, 2008 at 1:02 am
I have a question.
Tonight, I finished my flagon of Inferno pepper vodka and the two green chillies that were floating in ecstatic drunken abandonment in neat vodka are now high and dry and awaiting action before the beautiful flagon with its wee fingerloop gets redeployed either into recycling a la green box or recycling a la using it to store olive oil.
So, my Q is this: is it OK (ie. safe) to chop up the vodka drenched green chillies into future curries / chillies, etc., without fear of botulism or alcoholic poisoning..?
Ack, it must be 1.00am if I’m asking this here.
Slainte!
March 11th, 2008 at 12:46 am
Ciara.
It’s clear to me.
The other half (other halfof another half) has seen the error of his ways and has gone his separate way.
And is now dissembling ‘9by way of another) cos he’s a male chicken and that’s what men do.
March 11th, 2008 at 12:42 am
lol me too, but even with us gone, i don’t think he will be lonely
catch up with you soon, night x
March 11th, 2008 at 12:41 am
Hi Dee, you might join me/us as you seem to have some experience …
Really off now. Lots of serious stuff waiting for me tomorrow morning.
Nite again [last & final version]
March 11th, 2008 at 12:40 am
RR - would i take the piss?
March 11th, 2008 at 12:38 am
If it weren’t so late… interesting to analyze the multi-posting
March 11th, 2008 at 12:37 am
Chatelaine, i’m having flashbacks of being back at work, typing up a case note. I’m a PA to a Dr. (Psychiatrist) in the NHS. lmao
March 11th, 2008 at 12:36 am
FFS I’m trapped between a rooster that thinks he’s dave and dave that thinks he’s a rooster, time for a h medication.
March 11th, 2008 at 12:36 am
right, i’m going to hit the sack, twist one up to end the day
March 11th, 2008 at 12:35 am
1161
Ciara Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 12:33 am
1156
RedRooster
I’ve tried to call you several times but no reply. I’ve left lots of messages but now I don’t know what’s going on.
***************
i tried to call you from my land line as well??????? Dont you want to talk to me ??
March 11th, 2008 at 12:34 am
1160
Dave Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 12:33 am
RR - no the wind up was on me. Never mind. All my own fault.
*******************
is that right mate…..what are playing at mate…your takin the piss
March 11th, 2008 at 12:34 am
YAAAWWWNNNN
March 11th, 2008 at 12:33 am
1156
RedRooster
I’ve tried to call you several times but no reply. I’ve left lots of messages but now I don’t know what’s going on.
March 11th, 2008 at 12:33 am
RR - no the wind up was on me. Never mind. All my own fault.
March 11th, 2008 at 12:32 am
Maybe he’s got some place to park a prick ??
March 11th, 2008 at 12:32 am
1148
Dee Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 12:21 am
1144
RedRooster Says:
Babe, if i was you, i would sort that Dave right out, right here, right now. lol
**************************
believe me Dee I would. Now would someone have the courtesy to tell me whats going on please
March 11th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Gandy are you still there?
March 11th, 2008 at 12:30 am
Ciara what going on babe this is really not funny ????
March 11th, 2008 at 12:29 am
1149
Dave Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 12:23 am
RR - nope. crisis avoided. I thought Ciara was trying to call me. She doesn’t know my number though which is a pertinent fact i’d overlooked. Off now to joiin the PJ
*****************************
are you tyring to wind me up you prick???
March 11th, 2008 at 12:28 am
1152
Ciara Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 12:24 am
1145
******************
my phone hasnt rang ciara the networks down. wtf is going on???
March 11th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Good night to you all.
Sleep well & don’t let the Mcbugs bite [I may be quoting someone here, but cannot be sure]
Bye
March 11th, 2008 at 12:24 am
1145
RedRooster
Why won’t you answer your phone?
March 11th, 2008 at 12:24 am
All i would like to know is the truth too, and that goes for everyone else on here i think. Night Maria.
March 11th, 2008 at 12:24 am
Why are multis so friggin obvious, no class.
March 11th, 2008 at 12:23 am
RR - nope. crisis avoided. I thought Ciara was trying to call me. She doesn’t know my number though which is a pertinent fact i’d overlooked. Off now to joiin the PJ