Why Operation Grange can only be a whitewash

by RIPM 27.01.14 16:34

IMO so far there has been no whitewash. For a whitewash to succeed you need the compliance of the concerned parties, the media and the powers that be.

This could have been achieved sometime ago, except for one thing.

The resilience and determination of one man, Mr Amaral. He has resolutely refused to agree and therefore must be crushed.

For a whitewash to succeed it is imperative that Amaral’s finding that M died in 5a on 3^rd May be discredited.

Why a whitewash ?

If Amaral wins his libel case his book could come to the UK and too many difficult questions would arise and it would become obvious it was Rebekah Brooks who ordered this SY review to sell her papers and Cameron obeyed her command (not good for any PM)

The Macs can never answer questions in a court under oath. They expected Mr Amaral to back down and the establishment have realised the dangers, not to the Macs, but to themselves. This is S.Y.’s purpose by saving the Macs they save their masters egos and reputations.

So tacit agreements have been made.
M is declared abducted by a stranger who is and will remain untraceable forever but will allow Gerry to take a political role and Kate child safety czar and most importantly keep the money and if anyone is silly enough to donate, collect more
This allows the case to be wound up as we have explored every avenue so no further action by any Police force and no charges against K&G

All the celebs, media ,policemen and politicians retain their myth of caring and sound judgement.
Everyone agrees the Portuguese were wrong there is no evidence M died in 5A and the dogs are never mentioned again;

This is Redwood’s job, to discredit Amaral’s and the PJ’s discoveries, exonerate the Macs and find reasonable doubt in burglars, cleaners, ugly weirdo’s, zombies, phantoms, charity collectors, anything at all but look at the PJ’s findings.

The words, the case could be quietly buried, die a natural death a long time ago are often used but the case could not be quietly buried whilst there is Mr Amaral.

He is something unknown to the British establishment.

A man of principle and integrity that they have been unable to scare or buy off, not for the lack of trying. Someone the establishment cannot control, a truly scary prospect for them.

The words, the Macs are ordinary people, are often heard.

They are, that was their strength.

Around 3^rd /4^th May politicians and media stars rushed to be seen linked to K and G, thinking it would help their own profiles, by assisting two ‘distraught little people’ of humble origins who had made good. Perfect media fodder.

What could possibly go wrong?

Err…. K and G were involved directly in M’s disappearance.

The cogs whirred, no media celeb or politician wanted to miss the bandwagon, but as the truth dawned and dawn it did, these people could never stand the shame of loss of face, looking stupid and having unsound judgement.   So A had a word with B, who nudged C who spoke to D….. and the farce began.

It was no co-ordinated conspiracy, just each Politician and media celeb looking after their own ego but each cementing the invincibility of K and G and then it rapidly spun out of control and no one knew how to call a halt.

K&G actually came to believe the abduction story themselves feted by the Pope, Oprah, invited to tea in No 10 ,Government ministers on speed dial to facilitate their every wish. Tycoons offering their private jets. It went to their heads and they would fight tooth and nail to keep their new VIP lifestyle.

Politicians and celebrities of all shades of party colours are involved, each will cover for the next, this is the code, they are a tribe.

No conspiracy, just the BBC, politicians and senior Policemen covering up for their stupidity as per usual.

Do not forget CM was a spin doctor for Labour Blair, then Labour Brown, now for Tory Cameron, he is candidate for Brighton.

Imagine Hogan Howe explaining his balloon launch.
Lorraine Kelly admitting she was completely wrong.
Esther McVey explaining her involvement in the fund
and many many more

It was and never is going to happen.

The best form of defence is in your face attack, this is the Macs gutter fighting speciality. They are from Glasgow and Liverpool where survival is in the genes.

K and G realised very early on their priorities:

1                   Holding on to the money
2                   Holding on to the celebrity status lifestyle

It was like a lottery win and they loved it and probably still do.

It is now in everyone’s interest to wind it down but cannot until Mr Amaral’s findings are discredited.

We, the plebs are held in contempt The vast majority of the public have no interest in the McCanns and the remainder are being battered into submission until we give up
It was the BBC who started the media circus, cover up is their default position and the newspapers will write anything if it sells papers.

Nobody in authority is fighting for MADELEINE they are just protecting themselves and even sadder so are her parents.

If this had happened a week before, or a week after, the outcome would have been very different. K&G hit on exactly the right day, Thursday 3^rd May 2007.

I believe this was a complete stroke of fate, I know many think it was pre-planned and deliberate and occurred on another day.

Time will not tell who is right, the whitewash will cover it.

by tiny 27.01.14 16:51

Good post ,if it was not for Mr Amaral then i think the whitewash would have been sooner ,most of us have a lot of faith in Mr Amaral and he should win the libel trial, but even if he were to lose I don't think he will give up.

by **tigger** 27.01.14 17:22

@RIPM. Why was 3/5. The perfect day?

Re the politicians with egg on their face:

Blair/Brown pulled all the strings he could.
After their arguido status: 2/10 he organises the removal of GA
By the beginning of January if not earlier, we read in the Vanity Fair interview that he's fobbing them off.
So between 2/10 and 8/1/08 they've been rumbled? But still Brown looks after the discrediting of the DNA,visits their lab and goes to Leicester Police station for a friendly visit. Still pulling strings but for a different reason?

by ultimaThule 27.01.14 18:14

"K&G actually came to believe the abduction story themselves feted by the Pope, Oprah, invited to tea in No 10 ,Government ministers on speed dial to facilitate their every wish. Tycoons offering their private jets. It went to their heads and they would fight tooth and nail to keep their new VIP lifestyle."

Do you have a direct line to the inside of K&G's minds? If not, given how they trip themselves up every time they open their mouths, how can you say they 'came to believe the abduction story themselves' with any degree of certainty

Ftr, far from being 'feted' by the Pope, the McCanns were not granted a private audience with the Pontiff and were merely invited to attend one of the regular Sunday gatherings of worshippers in Rome where, on having them brought to his attention, the Pontiff somewhat pointedly blessed the photo of Madeleine which Kate was clutching and failed to extend his benficence to the child's parents,

From the little I've seen of their appearance, Oprah appeared to regard them as curious specimens best viewed from the wrong end of a telescope and, as far as I'm aware, they've not been asked back nor, despite the wee one's avowed intention of 'going global', have they been able crack the American market - no regular appearances on any of the numerous networks, radio programmes, lecture tours, etc, and I suspect that rankles with Gerry.

The McCanns have most certainly not been invited to take tea at No.10. Gordon Brown refused their request for a meeting and there have been no photoshoots with either him or Cameron, or Clegg for that matter. As for 'Government ministers on speed dial to facilitate their every wish' perhaps you can provide a link to where you obtained this information?

Branson, Green, et al, are always up for any free publicity that serves to persuade the public they're philanthropists at heart but the smart money has always stayed well away from the McCanns, as evidenced by the fact that only a misguided businessman of some wealth, but of limited fame and no knighthood, was willing to bankroll them in terms of actual cash rather than promises of rewards etc.

However, as the published accounts of the McCanns' limited company lifestyle fund fail to show any significant donations from individuals, it may be that Kennedy's public promises contained a fair proportion of the hot air of the type that causes Virgin balloons to rise in certain locations across the UK.

In the unlikely event that the McCanns emerge victorious from the current libel proceedings, vanquishing Dr Amaral will be akin to chopping a head off the hydra; the genie is well and truly out of the bottle and it's not going back in the McCanns' lifetimes, nor those of the twins.

As for their VIP lifestyle, they're back on easyJet flights and are reduced to making appearances at football matches in aid of another questionable charity.

Should judgement be awarded in favour of Dr Amaral and his co-defendants, where does that leave your scenario? Will NSY and the CPS abandon what you claim is a whitewash and haul the McCanns and their cohorts into the dock at the Old Bailey?

by canada12 27.01.14 18:50

I remember watching K&G on Oprah. Oprah's shows are full of emotion, empathy, tears, huge feelings. I watched while Oprah tried to get K&G to open up, to give any kind of emotion that showed their sorrow, how much they missed their daughter, etc etc etc.

From K&G - nothing. It was like they were reading from the same old scripted statements.

Oprah did her best with questions that with any other parents of a missing child, would bring forth their heartache, etc., but it was a complete non-show.

I got the feeling Oprah wanted the interview to be finished as soon as possible so she could get on with other more important (and convincing) guests.

by RIPM 27.01.14 19:36

Ah UT you do make me laugh I wondered how long it would be before your disruption.

Do you ever check anything before you write? Lets take the Popes visit.

You say it was a regular Sunday audience. Wrong as usual, wrong.

It was at 10.30am on 30th May 2007. This was a Wednesday. The rest of your comments are in the same vein. Kate was at a reception in 10 Downing Street on the 23 May 2012. But you say she was not, but thats why we have an Internet to check facts, try the Daily Mirror's website complete with photos, or just ask the Macs before writing

This site is for people with different opinions to discuss them in a friendly way, not to tell porkies.

People can check for themselves, there is no point in discussing anything with you.

by **tigger** 27.01.14 19:59

RIPM wrote:Ah UT you do make me laugh I wondered how long it would be before your disruption.

Do you ever check anything before you write? Lets take the Popes visit.

You say it was a regular Sunday audience. Wrong as usual, wrong.

It was at 10.30am on 30th May 2007. This was a Wednesday. The rest of your comments are in the same vein. Kate was at a reception in 10 Downing Street on the 23 May 2012. But you say she was not, but thats why we have an Internet to check facts, try the Daily Mirror's website complete with photos, or just ask the Macs before writing

This site is for people with different opinions to discuss them in a friendly way, not to tell porkies.

People can check for themselves, there is no point in discussing anything with you.

The Pope's audience: there is actually a shot of the McCanns waiting for the audience amongst a whole load of people who were getting the same amount of time from the Pope, they were simply shoe-horned into a regular audience.j It was made to look as if it was just for the sainted couple. But that's not the truth.

Kate was at a reception of sorts in her function as something or other charity, again literally shoehorned into the thing.
Not at all a special invite but a delegation which had to do with her 'work' for MM I guess.
I'm not sure you could call receiving a delegation as being the same as a reception. I would think not.

Btw I'd love to hear why 3/5/07 was absolutely the only day to stage an abduction?

by sami 27.01.14 20:21

Twenty five thousand people attended the audience with the Pope, or perhaps twenty five thousand and two.

The general audience given by Pope Benedict XVI takes place every Wednesday and is held in St Peter's Square during the summer months. About 25,000 people were at the audience attended by the McCanns.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6701819.stm

by ultimaThule 27.01.14 21:00

RIPM wrote:Ah UT you do make me laugh I wondered how long it would be before your disruption.

Do you ever check anything before you write? Lets take the Popes visit.

You say it was a regular Sunday audience. Wrong as usual, wrong.

It was at 10.30am on 30th May 2007. This was a Wednesday. The rest of your comments are in the same vein. Kate was at a reception in 10 Downing Street on the 23 May 2012. But you say she was not, but thats why we have an Internet to check facts, try the Daily Mirror's website complete with photos, or just ask the Macs before writing

This site is for people with different opinions to discuss them in a friendly way, not to tell porkies.

People can check for themselves, there is no point in discussing anything with you.

I sit corrected - K&G were not invited to attend one of the Pope's regular Sunday gatherings but along with 25,000 other souls, and most probably several thousand pigeons, attended a Wednesday gathering of the faithful.

While sitting comfortably, I stand by my statement to the effect that "The McCanns have most certainly not been invited to take tea at No.10. Gordon Brown refused their request for a meeting and there have been no photoshoots with either him or Cameron, or Clegg for that matter." and again ask you to provide information to substantiate your assertion that the McCanns have 'Government ministers on speed dial to facilitate their every wish'.

As it was apparent this morning that there were a number of unusually active threads on topics which are no doubt of particular interest to TM's monitors, I took to wondering how long it would take before an 'expert', such as now departed authorities on swamp art and the press, came forward to add their tuppenceworth to one or t'other of the debates.

With regard to your amusement at my "disruption", I must confess to having had more than a few chuckles when your thread appeared and, to coin a term, I'm 'curios' to know what took you so long?

by Bishop Brennan 28.01.14 2:08

RIPM wrote: ...
It was no co-ordinated conspiracy, just each Politician and media celeb looking after their own ego but each cementing the invincibility of K and G and then it rapidly spun out of control and no one knew how to call a halt.

...
No conspiracy, just the BBC, politicians and senior Policemen covering up for their stupidity as per usual.

I think I'd agree with that analysis. It seems to fit all the facts without requiring elaborate theories about the reasons why the McCanns became 'untouchable'. A unique set of circumstances and early errors that then took on a life of its own. Often the simplest explanation is the right one.

And yes - just one beacon of honesty so far. We shall just have to hope that the judge in the libel case is just as honest when delivering the verdict.

And I would also agree with your prediction of the ending: a SY report which will be interpreted as exonerating the McCanns and confirming the guilt of a nameless 'abductor'. For all the recent hype, there just is no evidence against anyone that will stand up in court. Which is exactly what the PJ concluded some 6 years ago. Nothing has changed.

by marconi 28.01.14 4:45

"Nothing has changed."

Bishop, after nearly 7 years, a lot has changed. The PJ re-started the investigation, not to whitewash it.
They said that they had enough new evidence to re-start it.
I never believed that the Yard was doing a whitewash. From the begining I trusted that they were serious and I still do.
Do you believe that the PJ would work together with the Met police if Engand's intention would have been to clean the parents?
If it would have been the case, the Yard could have stopped at the end of the review and stated: "case inconclusive". In Portugal the files would have remained archived.
1000s of possibilities to protect the McCanns and they didn't.

Try to remember that the Tanner man is eliminated and the Met concentrate themselves on the Smith's now.
Again a mysterious rogatory letter whose contents nobody knows and this time sent to Portimão, where the investigation started and where the McCanns were made arguidos. The circle is rond.
My theory is that it is rond with a different song, not "there is a hole in the bucket " anymore.

by plebgate 28.01.14 4:58

For now I still remain optimistic that this will not be a whitewash. Joana M posted on her site that the PJ said they would be looking at everything again even if SY wanted to follow a different line - (sumat like that anyway), so we will have to wait and see.

Re. seeing the Pope, they did get a front line place. Not bad considering the numbers.

Also - Richard Branson was reported as saying he would contribute up to £100,000 for their legal fees - so it was not just BK who pledged money and support for them.

by marconi 28.01.14 5:04

when did richard branson said that, plebgate? did he say it on an interview?
He is the man who offered his plane to bring the McCanns to Rome, at the time that most people believed in the abduction.
Later, on that charitas dinner, he offered 6 free air tickets (hah, hah hah). And the writer Roling offered 6 new books of herself,with her signature on them, instead of the million pounds she had reserved to give to the person that would tell about Maddie's whereabouts.

by plebgate 28.01.14 5:09

Can't give exact date - I did say it was reported Marconi so a google might bring something up?

by plebgate 28.01.14 5:15

@Marconi

Just did google search, Monday September 17th, 2007 - Niagrafallreview.ca/2007/09/17 reporting on it.

Sorry can't c & p link for some reason.

Edit to add link to www.anorak.co.uk/madeleine-mccann/page/41

This is a very interesting page, some way down the page it says that The Times has reported that Branson has given money into the McCann's fighting fund.

Sorry can't give direct link at mo. Marconi.

If someone can C & P the Anorak link would be great.

by marconi 28.01.14 5:26

thank you, plebgate. did you read the rest of my comment above?

look, I don't believe Branson ever offered that money. business people invest their capital in their business because it has to grow.It would not be sensible not to invest it.

by plebgate 28.01.14 5:28

It was reported, whether it is believed or not by the reader is up to them Marconi.

Are you able to post the Anorak link Marconi?

by Doug D 28.01.14 8:42

Just two interesting snippets from the 'anorak' link above:

SUNDAY TIMES front page: “Branson gives cash to defend McCanns.” Sir Richard Branson is giving £100,000 to create a “fighting fund” to help the parents of Madeleine McCann to clear their names.
A source close to Branson says: “Sir Richard wants to ensure the McCanns get access to the best legal advice. He has a good instinct on these things.”
The Virgin Sniffer will crack the case. Or will his PR and marketing departments get there first.

THE GUARDIAN page 35 (a business page): “Never mind the high street: Branson sells his Virgin Megastores.”
No mention of Madeleine McCann, granted, but this news one day after Branson pledged to help the parents clear their names looks like interesting timing?

Something for nothing? Unlikely, these PR guys don't miss too many tricks. Bit like the old 'bad news Friday' afternoon press releases so they avoided the Sunday Papers and a story was old news by the Monday morning.

by russiandoll 28.01.14 8:47

How can anyone be so rude as to call an opposing view of a member here a disruption? I found the post which opened this thread interesting but there is no need for such a pompous, high-handed and arrogant attitude towards a person who dares to voice a disagreement.

Look at the definition of the verb " fete" [ yes I missed the circumflex, only get the grave on crèche as it is automatic] and you will understand where you went wrong to apply any exclusivity towards the Mcs from the Pope. When the " necessary preparations" were being made for the Mcs' visit, doubtless the Pope's secretary had their names and the circumstances leading to their visit to Rome on a list of " special duties " , those being to single out a handful of special visitors [ seriously handicapped children being common special duties at these large gatherings].

Probably something brief as "The British couple whose 3 yr old went missing on a holiday in Portugal"

He blessed Maddie's photo, but did not take it to keep as Kate wished, there was a fleeting meeting of hands iirc and then he moved on, you know, he moved on, to " fete" his next guests.

I do not recall reading that Gerry got a call from Pope Benedict's secretary to arrange a special tour of St Peter's with a special visit to see the Sistine chapel.

Anyone who has to be as rude as you to a fellow member, who politely gave a contrary opinion automatically devalues what they have said imo.
I for one will be giving your future posts a miss, RIPM .

by Bishop Brennan 28.01.14 9:35

marconi wrote:"Nothing has changed."

Bishop, after nearly 7 years, a lot has changed. The PJ re-started the investigation, not to whitewash it.
They said that they had enough new evidence to re-start it.
I never believed that the Yard was doing a whitewash. From the begining I trusted that they were serious and I still do.
Do you believe that the PJ would work together with the Met police if Engand's intention would have been to clean the parents?
If it would have been the case, the Yard could have stopped at the end of the review and stated: "case inconclusive". In Portugal the files would have remained archived.
1000s of possibilities to protect the McCanns and they didn't.

Fair points marconi. To say 'nothing has changed' was poorly worded on my side. The removal of tannerman was certainly a big change. And the McCann's reaction to it was the first time they have looked panicked. The reopening on both sides is of course a massive change. But where (as yet) we have no change is in hearing about any prosecutable evidence. Maybe that's a good thing - maybe it will come - what for example were the burglars so excited about we wonder...? Have the PJ really found something significant enough reopen the case? Or did they just follow the lead set by SY and want to make sure they were not left out if SY did make a breakthrough?

For now we can only speculate and interpret recent events. So yes - many significant changes, but still the risk remains that saving face for those who have gone 'all in' with the McCanns will be more important than finding out the truth and bringing it to court.

by **tigger** 28.01.14 9:43

Doug D wrote:Just two interesting snippets from the 'anorak' link above:

SUNDAY TIMES front page: “Branson gives cash to defend McCanns.” Sir Richard Branson is giving £100,000 to create a “fighting fund” to help the parents of Madeleine McCann to clear their names.
A source close to Branson says: “Sir Richard wants to ensure the McCanns get access to the best legal advice. He has a good instinct on these things.”
The Virgin Sniffer will crack the case. Or will his PR and marketing departments get there first.

THE GUARDIAN page 35 (a business page): “Never mind the high street: Branson sells his Virgin Megastores.”
No mention of Madeleine McCann, granted, but this news one day after Branson pledged to help the parents clear their names looks like interesting timing?

Something for nothing? Unlikely, these PR guys don't miss too many tricks. Bit like the old 'bad news Friday' afternoon press releases so they avoided the Sunday Papers and a story was old news by the Monday morning.

Cheap at the price for reputation management.

Perhaps we should re-define the 'Fighting Fund' choosing that name was superior PR so not CM, definitely not TM. We are looking for someone who could make Pol Pot look like a philanthropist.

by Doug D 28.01.14 9:46

Looking for something else, just came across this:
Sky News 5^th October 2013
The Metropolitan Police team has collated 39,148 documents from previous inquiries by both the Portuguese authorities and eight different teams of private detectives hired by the McCanns.
So far 21,614 have been processed. Some 4,920 of those have necessitated follow-up action and 2,123 lines of enquiry have been completed.

If they started as soon as Grange commenced in May 2011 and progress at the same rate, they’ve only got another 20 months to go to have examined the lot, which presumably would be the requirement for a ‘whitewash’ solution, as the very last document could hold the ‘vital missing clue’.

Please God, NO!

by Tangled Web 28.01.14 9:57

The silence is deafening at the moment and, as Amaral states, 'justice works in silence' so I don't think this will be a whitewash.

Yes, mistakes were made very early on and some high powered people 'backed the wrong horse' but the guilty parties can still be brought to justice. It's taking time because the majority of the evidence against them is circumstantial but, I believe, the PJ/SY will find that piece of the jigsaw to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that these people should be in prison.

Although the McCann's would like to believe it, they are not above the law.

All IMHO of course.

by marconi 28.01.14 10:03

When Gerry went to the US for the first time, he wrote on his FindMadeleine, that his ticket was "kindly offered by an airline".
Someboody did an investigation about that and no airline had offered anything at all.
No airline offers anything whatsoever. It is a hard concurence among them and they fight for every chair they try to sell.

by Mirage 28.01.14 10:14

Doug D wrote:Looking for something else, just came across this:
Sky News 5^th October 2013
The Metropolitan Police team has collated 39,148 documents from previous inquiries by both the Portuguese authorities and eight different teams of private detectives hired by the McCanns.
So far 21,614 have been processed. Some 4,920 of those have necessitated follow-up action and 2,123 lines of enquiry have been completed.

If they started as soon as Grange commenced in May 2011 and progress at the same rate, they’ve only got another 20 months to go to have examined the lot, which presumably would be the requirement for a ‘whitewash’ solution, as the very last document could hold the ‘vital missing clue’.

Please God, NO!

And don't forget, they've still got to go up to Leicester Police HQ and find missing DVDs of RoB's rogatory. And find out all sorts of things, like why the Gaspar statements were held on to for five months. And a fair few other questions.

So factor another long walk up the garden path into those calculations, Doug.