Madeleine McCann: The Star ‘Donates’ To The McCanns, The Express Apologises And Sue Carroll Explains
MADDYWATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann and Shannon Matthews
DAILY EXPRESS: “Kate and Gerry McCann: Sorry”
The Express once more has the disappearance of Madeleine McCann on its front page. No picture of the missing blonde child. Not now. Instead, readers see a picture of her parents looking pained.
Read more here.
And how Anorak broke this story.
The Daily Express today takes the unprecedented step of making a front-page apology to Kate and Gerry McCann.
We do so because we accept that a number of articles in the newspaper have suggested that the couple caused the death of their missing daughter Madeleine and then covered it up.
We acknowledge that there is no evidence whatsoever to support this theory and that Kate and Gerry are completely innocent of any involvement in their daughter’s disappearance.
We trust that the suspicion that has clouded their lives for many months will soon be lifted.
As an expression of its regret, the Daily Express has now paid a very substantial sum into the Madeleine Fund and we promise to do all in our power to help efforts to find her.
Kate and Gerry, we are truly sorry to have added to your distress.
We assure you that we hope Madeleine will one day be found alive and well and will be restored to her loving family.
The paper paid the money into the find Madeleine Fund, or the paper paid the money to the McCanns - as the law decreed it should – and it is they who have chosen to pay it in to the Find Madeleine Fund?
Anyhow, at least the sensation is now at an end.
DAILY STAR: “KATE & GERRY MCCANN: SORRY”
The Daily Star today makes a wholehearted apology to Kate and Gerry McCann for stories suggesting the couple were responsible for, or may be responsible for, the death of their daughter Madeleine and for covering it up. We now recognise that such a suggestion is absolutely untrue and that Kate and Gerry are completely innocent of any involvement in their daughter’s disappearance.
As an expression of our regret we have now made a substantial donation to the Madeleine Fund in the hope that it helps efforts to find her.
We sincerely apologise for any additional distress we have caused the family.
THE SUN: “McCann rage at Maddie book claim”
A FORMER Portuguese police chief has angered Madeleine McCann’s parents by claiming in a novel that the toddler is dead – and her body dumped at sea.
Why mention this? Why is one man’s opinion newsworthy – a man with a book to plug? Mr Cristovao is a retired policeman.
Paulo Cristovao…describes how missing Maddie did not survive May 3, 2007 – the night she vanished. His book, The Star Of Madeleine, is based on the real cop investigation. It stops short of saying who is responsible, but drops clues.
The Star… No, not the Daily Star. It does not speculate.
Last night Kate and Gerry McCann’s spokesman said: “It’s a great shame that people still want to make money out of Madeleine’s situation.”
Mr Mitchell works for the McCanns. If the media is no longer hostile to them, is he needed?
Says the Sun: Retired inspector Cristovao mysteriously claims two of the couple’s holiday pals – the so-called Tapas Seven – are “fundamental” to discovering the truth about Maddie, four.
Now read on…
DAILY MIRROR: “Shameless to sneer at Shannon’s family”
For a nation which has spent the best part of a year praying for the safe return of Madeleine McCann, news that missing girl Shannon Matthews had been found alive was joyous.
Madeleine McCann. Tick. Shannon Matthews. Tick. Sue Carroll is playing Anorak Bingo.
…Such moments are rare and doubtless it’ll be the talk of this Yorkshire community long after the cameras and media pack have gone. In their absence, Dewsbury Moor will return to being just another sprawling council estate, a forgotten spot on Britain’s map of economic decline. A small pocket of working-class life that politicians and the chattering classes know exists but prefer to ignore.
Columnist Sue Carroll is not one of the chattering classes. Sure Carroll who asked in light of the murder and rape of Scarlett Keeling: “Is Scarlett’s mother really the guilty one?”
We saw how they existed and though these homes are undoubtedly filled with love and affection they were alien to me, brought up in a working-class area of Newcastle where council house gardens were carefully tended, dogs kept on a leash and hoodies had yet to be invented.
Sue Carroll gives the alleged abduction of a girl come perspective by introducing readers to her childhood garden. And what of all those homes of “savvy Yorkshire folk” “undoubtedy filled with love and affection”? Has Shannon Matthews been allowed to return home yet? Was Paul Donovan’s home a Yorkshire Green Gables? She talks of the areas once thriving mining industry, textile mills and foundries” and a ”poverty of aspiration”. This is why Shannon Matthews went missing – because they closed the coal mines down. Not for any other reason.
Middle-class observers, shocked by this glimpse into a parallel universe, have lined up to condemn the material and emotional poverty they’ve viewed through a TV camera lens in Dewsbury. To them it’s a Wayne and Waynetta world of chaos and dysfunction personified by Shannon’s mother, Karen, a 32-year-old with seven children by five different fathers and currently living with a man 10 years her junior.
Carroll had to mention the number of children. Why is this relevant? And do we look at the Matthews family and see a work of fiction, characters created by comedian Harry Enfield? Or do we see real pain and a family looking for their missing child. Should we laugh at them?
It was in his uncle Mick Donovan’s flat that Shannon was found. A man, it turns out, with a history the writers of Shameless would reject as unfeasibly sordid.
Shameless. The TV show. Carroll is finding it hard to differentiate fact from fiction.
Unpleasant it may be, but this snapshot of urban life is not that unusual in Britain today where children struggle to establish their place in homes where fragmented and semi-permanent relationships are the norm.
It’s why I find the thought of Shannon making a little escape plan both unbearably sad and utterly believable. But, for all that, I don’t blame her mother.
Do middle-class children have broken homes? Do middle-class children plot to run away? Do middle-class children go missing?
‘You unlawfully and by force or fraud took away Shannon Matthews against her will..’ - CHARGE AGAINST HER ACCUSED
The 39-year-old uncle of Shannon’s stepdad staggered into the dock looking painfully thin before he was remanded in custody. The ex-computer programmer, also known as Paul Drake, was charged with two offences - “unlawfully and by force or fraud taking away Shannon against her will” and imprisoning her. Donovan, who weighs just eight stone, struggled to get his balance as he nervously stuttered his name in a tiny, high-pitched voice.
THE GUARDIAN: “Express Newspapers forced to apologise to McCann family over Madeleine allegations
“If you are repeating a rumour, you are liable for that rumour,” said Caroline Kean, head of media litigation at media lawyers Wiggin. “There is nothing that has been said about the McCanns that could not have been published in a balanced way. It’s when you move into over the top headlines and unbalanced reporting that you go beyond the protection that the libel laws give.”
IRISH INDEPENDENT: “Maddy relative’s pub ransacked”
THE pub owned by the grandmother of Madeleine McCann was broken into and ransacked just after she visited the area at the weekend. In the early hours of St Patrick’s Day morning, thieves rammed the back door of the McCann pub in the village of St Johnston, Co Donegal, with a car before tearing it apart inside and making away with almost its entire stock of alcohol… McCann’s bar, leased by local man Joe Peoples, played host to the McCanns almost a year ago. “She (Madeleine) was a wee dote. It’s hard to believe what has happened since then,” Mr Peoples said.
Madeleine McCann: See what the Express said and how it said it
March 19th, 2008 at 7:39 am
“We acknowledge that there is no evidence whatsoever to support this theory and that Kate and Gerry are completely innocent of any involvement in their daughter’s disappearance.” - Express.
There is no evidence whatsoever to support Abduction Theory, either, and we commentators at Anorak know Kate and Gerry are completely innocent of any involvement in their daughter’s disappearance. And Tapas7. And Mitchell. And Uncle Tom Cobblers and all.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:45 am
How very odd.
‘Forced’ to apologise is hardly going to make the public believe the papers!
How can they say the McCanns are innocent? If they have no proof one way, how can they have it the other?
Or is this simply ‘Innocent - unless proven not to be so’?
Still, now the morgtgage can be paid we might have less need of ’sighting!
March 19th, 2008 at 7:47 am
i wish the pj would release the facts and allow the facts to be reported
March 19th, 2008 at 7:50 am
1 Eringena
I still want to know what they have done other than ‘Express’ the views of many people - the belief that the McCanns are in fact responsible for their daughters disappearance.
Clearly they are, as they had the duty of care which was failed.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Yet another death knell for objective and fearless reporting, although faced with Carter-Fuck, cravenly giving in is probably a sensible course of action.
Let us just hope that one day the worm will turn. Peter Sutcliffe’s wife won dmages against the Eye, and was then subsequently shown in another libel suit to have lied to win her case.
This may begin to lull them into a false sense of security.
But is is also immaculate timing by the Team.
How can the PJ now interview them, when 4 newspapers have said they are not guilty of anything ?
Let’s wait and see.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:54 am
Maybe the Express newspapers are not so dumb.
If they are proven guilty of pretty much anything, the Express will be able to recoup their losses in Newspapers sales. Of course today’s headlines should generate a few sales
Imagine how many people will be saying ‘What!!!!!’
It was an outraged wife here who presented me with an update!
Its an exercise in how to raise suspicions too!
March 19th, 2008 at 7:55 am
1
Im glad that you know Kate and Gerry are completely innocent, and isnt it great the newspapers have finally apologised and donated to the fund, you should be very pleased
Mods and Admin
Julia, they are still arguidos, that legal status has not changed
March 19th, 2008 at 7:56 am
Of course, a substantial sum means how much?
Maybe they will pay it in shares?
March 19th, 2008 at 7:59 am
julia
Of course we all know how the newspapers get it right dont we!
The important thing here is to be aware of the difference between what can be said about rich people and what can be said about the rest of us. Add a pinch of knowing the PM’s brother and voila…British Justice at its best?
March 19th, 2008 at 8:00 am
“they are not guilty of anything” pure speculation
March 19th, 2008 at 8:00 am
5…PeterMac
Another example of trashy reporting by the Express (and Star)….
“”“We acknowledge that there is no evidence whatsoever to support this theory
and that Kate and Gerry are completely innocent of any involvement in their daughter’s disappearance.” - Express.”"”"
To be correct the statement should read….
“”"Dr K and Dr G P are presumed innocent until a Trial in Court proves
Guilt or Innocence”"”".
Mr Darwin was “presumed” dead….yet remains very much alive…as his
appearance in Court recently….proves beyond a doubt.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Anyway, we know the Express Newspapers have it wrong, the McCanns could not be said to be ‘completely innocent’ of any involvement as they provided the opportunity (if there were an abductor, which is unsupported by any evidence) and the means.
Without them leaving the children unattended at night whilst they went drinking ’somewhere’ it definitely could not have happened.
Are the newspapers playing the ‘long game’? I think perhaps they are.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:03 am
8…Ian
A sum….of which….will have been greatly recouped even today via sales
and advertising.
Thank heavens for tomorrow….we can then have yesterday’s news.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:07 am
13 Matt
One swallow does not a summer make - the McCanns will be wise to remember that.
No doubt these papers will be taking the right action to protect their interests and waiting for their opportunity.
Clarence has not made friends in the press over this.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:07 am
£550,000 is being quoted on Sky News re Express Group payment.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Amazing that the newspapers have been forced to apologize and pay up. Now, why don’t the other people join the queue and get an apology and payout like the McCanns have succeeded in doing. It will be a long queue! The only difference has been and will be, that a statement is usually made, take Heather for instance! If they haven’t had anything to do with Maddy’s disappearance, make a statement, and, shut up.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:12 am
It’s baffling stuff. How they can be “completely innocent” when the PJ have named them official suspects, is byound me.
Last night Kate and Gerry McCann’s spokesman said: “It’s a great shame that people still want to make money out of Madeleine’s situation.”
Like Kate and Gerry you mean!!
March 19th, 2008 at 8:14 am
14…Ian
As J Archer and J Aitken cases prove.
Not a good career move for Team McCann. IMO
March 19th, 2008 at 8:14 am
I’d also like to know what they plan to do with the £550,000 awarded to the Find Madeleine fund………
March 19th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Morning
Last night Kate and Gerry McCann’s spokesman said: “It’s a great shame that people still want to make money out of Madeleine’s situation.”
funniest quote of the day so far!!!
March 19th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Wonder when madeleine will get her moment of fame? Its a long time since there was any focus on her!
Hey Kate and Gerry - “Remember MADELEINE?”.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:15 am
But lets be even handed. It is of course wrong to make claims about people without evidence.
All we have is circumstantial evidence. Kate finds daughter missing and forgets her friends are in the apartment next door….runs screaming to a public place. Gerry has been talking about his childcare arrangements to anyone who will listen. Kate is incredibly house proud and has scrubbed her holiday apartment clean - and washed the curtains. Ok so they left the door open - Maddie might have had to lead the kids out should there have been a fire emergency, of course they left the door open for her (at the top of a set of concrete steps). Kate found religion reborn within minutes of finding her child abducted through a window, her friend saw the child being carried away in various directions by a man of varying description. She didn’t see his face yet was able to identify him from a facial description. Gerry had no tennis bag, yet it was reported stolen. Gerry lost the original holiday snaps so can’t produce the original ‘final photo’.
Obviously all this and more is circumstantial. Their innocence is plain to see…and they have access to money and political power.
Of course they are innocent.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:15 am
I bet Mr Murat and Max are planning to make some big bucks too.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Matt - I hope the Matthews and Murat etc have more dignity than that. I hope they feel money isnt everything and show the Mc’s up to be te money grabbing people they are!
March 19th, 2008 at 8:18 am
15
Matt.
What an unbelievable travesty of justice. I’d so like to see their mortgage information.
How strange that we now have the Shannon affair to compare - I’m not believer in conspiracy theories, but this one really makes one wonder doesn’t it!
March 19th, 2008 at 8:20 am
24
just_me
Well actually they are more deserving, as the papers have actually been attacking them. I’ve never seen anything in the UK press which was anything but supporting the McCanns.
What exactly are these papers supposed o have said?
March 19th, 2008 at 8:21 am
19 weeblondie
I’d suggest putting safely to one side.
They may well need to return it at some point.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Ian - very true, they certainly are more deserving. I dont think the press Express should have given in so easily. Its just funny how when the fund is getting low they decide to sue the papers. I really dont think they should have said that they are completely innocent, thats unbelievable. I wish they would focus more on the neglect issue in the press, then see what the McCanns say about that!
March 19th, 2008 at 8:24 am
24…just_me
If the McCann’s have the right to complain about such reporting am
sure that Mr Murat has just as much right.
But I do take your point…He is indeed a much more dignified person.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:24 am
27 Ian
Yes, to pay their mortgage! :o)