How many telephone calls were there between the McCanns and Gordon Brown

On this forum, I made this reference recently:

Nine long personal telephone calls, one of them 45 minutes, between Gordon Brown who was Chancellor of the Exchequer at the time, not Foreign Secretary, and Dr Gerald McCann...
On a McCann-believer forum, my comment attracted this somewhat hysterical reaction:

Where did you get this information from Bennett? How do you know how many calls were made and their duration? FACT is that you do not, but this will not stop you trying to spread even more confusion, you are a deeply deceitful and dishonest man!

I am not sure now whether it was 9 calls, I think I read that somewhere. It could well have been many more. If anyone knows the answer, I'd be grateful.

In the meantime, here are three references I found on the subject, which should enable posters here to evaluate whether the claim that this suggests I amn 'deeply deceitful and dishonest' is fair:


BBC 26 May

Chancellor Gordon Brown has had several telephone conversations with the father of missing Madeleine McCann, a family spokesman in Portugal confirmed.

Mr Brown offered both parents Gerry and Kate "his full support" in their efforts to find the four-year-old, who vanished on the night of 3 May.

Police have issued a description of a man seen on the night Madeleine was taken from the Praia da Luz
apartment.

In a statement, Mr McCann said the sighting of the man was "significant".

A spokesman for the McCanns said: "I can confirm that telephone conversations have taken place between Gerry McCann and Chancellor Gordon Brown.

"During them, Mr Brown offered both Gerry and Kate his full support in their efforts to find Madeleine, although details of the conversations will remain private.

"The conversations took place against the background of the chancellor's earlier offer to help when he met and spoke to other members of the McCann family in the UK."

10 Dec 2007 Mail

After Madeleine's disappearance on May 3, Mr Brown pledged his support to the four-year-old's parents during a series of phone calls with Gerry.

But as soon as the pair were named "arguidos" - official suspects - by Portuguese police on September 7 all lines of communication were closed.

26 July 2008 Correia da Manha

On the morning of the 23rd of May 2007 (twenty days after Maddie's disappearance), before they left for the Sanctuary of Fátima, Kate and Gerry left Gordon Brown a message. Maddie's mother describes it as a form of "raising the political pressure" and reveals that the present Prime Minister – at that date, he was not in functions but had already been confirmed as Tony Blair's successor – answered her only three hours later. He spoke with Gerry, was "very sympathetic and gave strength", tells Kate, who describes the visit to the catholic sanctuary as overwhelming, potent and emotional.

On the same day in the afternoon, Gordon Brown called Maddie's parents again. Kate's notebooks do not report the conversation but one is able to understand that the purpose was to create political pressure, forcing the PJ to act swiftly.

Today, at more than a year's distance from the child's disappearance and after the case has been archived, Kate's notes expose the pressures that were reported by the former coordinator of the case, Gonçalo Amaral, who from the moment when he was removed from the investigation, realised that the process would not produce an accusation.

With an investigation that was initially inclined towards the abduction theory, partly forced by the McCanns, the evidence of the pressures by the couple also explains the British press' posture in the coverage of the case, mainly from the moment when Madeleine's parents went from victims to suspects and arguidos. With the British prime minister himself supporting the McCanns, through direct and frequent phone calls that are revealed by Kate, it became almost impossible for the English government to help an investigation that had indicated the parents as guilty.

Apart from the contacts with Gordon Brown, Kate's notebooks reveal other important allies. From the hiring of Clarence Mitchell, who at that point in time worked for the government, as an assistant, until the conversations with the wife of Tony Blair, the former British Prime Minister.

A few examples of Gordon Brown and his involvement in the Portuguese PJ case on behalf of the Mccanns

Herald Scotland 14.5.07

The Glasgow group also persuaded Gordon Brown and Alex Salmond to wear yellow ribbons at the weekend as a sign of the politicians' support.

http://www.heraldscotland.com/we-will-not-rest-until-our-friends-little-girl-is-found-1.857861

Guardian 16.5.07

Earlier today, Gordon Brown told Madeleine's family that he was prepared to help "in any way he can".
Her aunt, Philomena McCann, met the chancellor while in Westminster lobbying MPs for support, and said: "It's been extremely helpful and I'm very grateful to Gordon Brown for taking the time to listen to us. "
Mr Brown said the government would continue to urge the Portuguese authorities to keep the investigation at "maximum intensity".

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/may/16/ukcrime3

Times 22.5.07

Gordon Brown has pledged his support. Last Friday John McCann was dining with friends when Downing Street called to say that the Chancellor was on the line. Minutes later Mr McCann’s mobile – on which he takes hundreds of calls daily – ran out of power, cutting off Britain’s next Prime Minister in mid-sentence. Yesterday morning, as Mr McCann was talking to The Times, his mobile rang again. It was Revenue & Customs, calling at Mr Brown’s request to discuss how the fund could gain charitable status.

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-164298391.html


Scotland on Sunday 27.5.07

Madeleine suspect details released after Brown talks

PORTUGUESE police made an embarrassing U-turn on naming a new suspect after the parents of missing Madeleine McCann held discussions with prime minister-in-waiting Gordon Brown, it emerged last night.
The Chancellor has spoken to Madeleine's father Gerry on several occasions in recent days and pledged to do everything he can to support the family. 

The McCanns were desperate to release details about a man seen carrying what was thought to be a child on the night Madeleine went missing and had threatened legal action. …

The top-level discussions with Brown were an added boost to the McCanns after all other leads appeared to have gone cold. 

Clarence Mitchell, a spokesman for the family, said: "I can confirm that telephone conversations have taken place between Gerry McCann and Chancellor Gordon Brown. 

"During them, Mr Brown offered both Gerry and Kate his full support in their efforts to find Madeleine, although details of the conversations will remain private. 

"The conversations took place against the background of the Chancellor's earlier offer to help when he met and spoke to other members of the McCann family in the UK." 

A Treasury spokesman refused to confirm that Brown had personally intervened to get the Portuguese police to change their minds. 


Daily Mail 28.5.07

Madeleine: Brown demands action from the Portuguese police

Gordon Brown intervened in the hunt for missing Madeleine McCann after a series of phone conversations with her father.
The Chancellor was told by Gerry McCann that he was concerned police were not being "forthcoming" with information.
In particular, Mr McCann and his wife Kate felt they should make public a description of a possible suspect.

Gordon Brown has intervened in the hunt for missing Madeleine McCann after a series of phone conversations with her father

Through the Foreign Office, Mr Brown arranged a meeting between senior Portuguese officers and the couple, which led to the release of details of a potential sighting of Madeleine being carried by her abductor on the night she went missing.
The Prime Minister-in-waiting's involvement emerged as Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall also showed their support for the McCanns.......The Chancellor, who has a son a few months younger than Madeleine, spoke to Mr McCann on three occasions early last week and pledged support from the very top of Government.
A spokesman for the McCanns said: "The conversations took place against the background of the Chancellor's earlier offer to help when he met and spoke to other members of the family in the UK."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-457922/Madeleine-Brown-demands-action-Portuguese-police.html#ixzz1VsuZntg4

Guardian 27.7.07

Madeleine: Brown urged police to give more details

Chancellor acts after parents voice their concern at the lack of disclosure by Portuguese detectives
Gordon Brown has personally intervened in the search for missing four-year-old Madeleine McCann after her parents became frustrated by the lack of progress in the police investigation.
After a series of telephone conversations with Madeleine's father, Gerry McCann in recent days, the Chancellor requested assistance from the Foreign Office and the Home Office. He asked that pressure be brought to bear on the Portuguese authorities to allow more information about the inquiry to be made public.
Gerry and his wife, Kate, have been desperate for a description of a man seen carrying what appears to have been a child on 3 May to be made public, but Portuguese police refused for three weeks because of the country's laws, which forbid the details of an investigation being released.
The Observer understands that Brown gave the McCanns an assurance he would do 'anything he can' to help. The British embassy duly applied pressure on the Portuguese authorities to find more flexibility in their secrecy laws. British ambassador John Buck visited the Algarve last Thursday. A day later Portuguese police made a U-turn and issued a detailed description of the man, said to be white, 35 to 40, 5ft 10in and of medium build, with hair longer around the neck, wearing a dark jacket, light beige trousers and dark shoes.
Asked whether Brown had influenced the decision, Clarence Mitchell, a Foreign Office spokesman for the McCann family in the Algarve, said: 'Draw your own conclusions.' He said in a statement: 'I can confirm that telephone conversations have taken place between Gerry McCann and Chancellor Gordon Brown. During them, Mr Brown offered both Gerry and Kate his full support in their efforts to find Madeleine, although details of the conversations will remain private.'
Although they have praised the efforts being made to find their daughter, the McCanns were said to be increasingly frustrated in recent days at delays and communication problems. The family have met lawyers in the Algarve and threatened legal action to push for the information to be released because of the exceptional circumstances.
The Observer can confirm that a top law firm in London had been asked late last week to seek legal avenues through which the McCanns could be kept up to date on the latest developments in the investigations.......
The campaign fund is now well over £300,000, according to Mitchell. He stressed that the McCanns 'never asked for a single euro'.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/may/27/ukcrime.gordonbrown

couldn't help it. Perhaps not Euros but how about £££'s LOL


[b]The free library (from MGN newspapers) 28.7.07[/b]

It was not until Saturday - 22 days after Madeleine vanished - that a description of the suspect was issued after the probable intervention of Chancellor Gordon Brown. Since then it has generated hundreds of calls to police. Already there have been reports of a possible second sighting of a man carrying a child in Praia Da Luz that night. 

Desperate to have the details released Gerry, 38, had held talks with Mr Brown. 

The two fathers, both Scots, were said to have had an "instant connection". Mr Brown lost daughter Jennifer Jane who was born prematurely in January 2002. 

Heart specialist Gerry, of Rothley, Leics, told the Chancellor in detail of the couple's frustrations about the slow-moving Portuguese investigation. In particular, he stressed their concern that their friend's sighting had not been made public. 

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/I+SAW+A+MAN+CARRYING+MADELEINE%3B+McCanns+friend's+guilt+at+'not...-a0164088914

Guardian 11.9.07

Re Gordon Brown: "He doesn't regret that he has had contacts with them but this is an ongoing police investigation and it would be unwise for me to say anything more," said the spokesman.
Leicestershire police's most senior detective visited the family's home in Rothley today. Detective Chief Superintendent Bob Small spent about an hour with the family at their house before leaving in an unmarked car.
The force refused comment on the visit. A spokeswoman reiterated that it was a Portuguese police investigation.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/sep/11/ukcrime.madeleinemccann

Times 18.9.07

Kate and Gerry McCann go straight to Gordon Brown in search for more powerful backers

Gordon Brown has been updated on the investigation into Kate and Gerry McCann by the couple’s advisers, who told him that Portuguese detectives had no proof that they killed their daughter.
The Prime Minister, who has been an influential supporter of the couple, has previously persuaded the Portuguese authorities to release details of their investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance from an Algarve holiday apartment 138 days ago.
The move comes amid reports that a Portuguese judge has ruled that the couple should not be forced to return to the Algarve to face further questioning but should instead be interviewed by police in Britain.
Mr McCann spoke to Mr Brown several times and David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, twice before he and his wife were declared official suspects by Portuguese detectives 11 days ago. All ministerial contact was severed immediately because of the sensitive nature of their legal status.

But lines of communication were reopened yesterday after the appointment of the McCanns’ new spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, a former Cabinet Office troubleshooter. Mr Mitchell resigned from his job yesterday as director of the Media Monitoring Unit at the Cabinet Office.
A McCann family source said: “Mitchell still has the key phone numbers and e-mail addresses of people in power and will continue to use them. He has attended top-level briefings at No 10 every weekday for the past two years. The McCanns do not expect help or influence to be exerted on their behalf but want to get messages to the very top that they are innocent. No details relating to the facts supporting their defence have been passed on but that may change.
Mr Brown contacted Mr McCann shortly after Madeleine disappeared and had previously personally intervened after the couple became frustrated by the lack of progress in the police investigation. The then Chancellor assured the McCanns that he would do “anything he can” and the British Embassy in Lisbon put pressure on the Portuguese authorities to find more flexibility in their secrecy laws

Telegraph 18.10.07

Gordon Brown is to visit the Portuguese premier to discuss progress in the hunt for missing toddler Madeleine McCann.
He plans to meet Jose Socrates to talk about the direction of the police search for the youngster while he is in Lisbon for an EU Summit.

The police investigation has been criticised for its lack of leads following Madeleine's disappearance from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on May 3.
Mr Brown told reporters: “I have discussed this issue with him before, to assure myself that the police authorities are taking the actions that are necessary and there’s proper cooperation between the British and Portuguese police.”
It is not the first time the Prime Minister has taken a personal interest in the case about which he receives regular updates.
He has been briefed over the telephone by Madeleine's parents in the past, while Gerry McCann has spoken to Foreign Secretary David Miliband.
But the couple reportedly ceased to have direct contact with the Government after they were named suspects.
Ministers were concerned about the "sensitive" nature of the couple's legal status, according to The Times newspaper.
Gordon Brown's spokesman said the prime minister did not regret the involvement - including a telephone conversation - he has had with the McCanns.

Herald Scotland 19.10.2007

“Meanwhile, Mr Brown said last night he would discuss the case of missing Madeleine McCann with his Portuguese counterpart, Jose Socrates, at the summit.
He told reporters: "I'm meeting the Portuguese prime minister later and we will discuss this issue. I have discussed this issue with him before, to assure myself that the police authorities are taking the actions that are necessary and there's proper co-operation between the British and Portuguese police."
Mr Brown has received regular briefings on the case since Madeleine's disappearance on May 3.
As well as keeping himself up to date on the details of the police investigation, Mr Brown has spoken to Gerry McCann several times. “
http://www.heraldscotland.com/brown-looks-set-to-secure-red-lines-from-eu-1.843964

Daily Mail 19.10.2007

Madeleine: Brown quizzes Portuguese PM about bungled police inquiry
Gordon Brown has raised concerns about the investigation into Madeleine McCann's disappearance with his Portuguese counterpart. 

Mr Brown discussed the police inquiry with the premier Jose Socrates during private talks in Lisbon, where the pair are attending the EU summit.
Mr Brown said he wanted to be assured "that the police authorities are taking the actions that are necessary and there's proper cooperation between the British and Portuguese police".

The pair previously discussed the case in July, when Mr Socrates assured Mr Brown "everything possible" was being done to find the missing four-year-old.
Mr Brown's involvement in the case has sparked resentment in Portugal in the past.
One detective accused parents Gerry and Kate McCann of creating "constant interruptions and distractions" after it emerged they had been keeping him personally updated on developments over Madeleine, who went missing in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz on May 3.


Daily Mail Regarding Paulo Cristovao's novel 'The Star of Madeleine' 19.3.08

Cristovao said his book was "pro-Portugal" and it contains thinly veiled criticism of Britain's political involvement in the case.
In the novel the police officers face pressure from British diplomats as they try to unravel the mystery....

In reality, Portuguese police have criticised Gordon Brown's decision to raise the investigation in meetings with his Portuguese counterpart, and have hit out at political interference.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-538008/Madeleine-novel-Now-disgraced-police-chief-claims-girls-body-dumped-sea-new-book.html#ixzz1Vsyizfmy

Sorry for the duplications but each I think give some more information regarding quite HOW MUCH Gordon Brown did for the McCanns.

That was only around 30 mins searching on the internet. Took me a lot longer to put them in order and make sense of them.

Gordon "Bennett" has a lot to answer for IMO!

Gillyspot wrote:That was only around 30 mins searching on the internet. Took me a lot longer to put them in order and make sense of them.

Gordon "Bennett" has a lot to answer for IMO!

Well done Gillyspot! It's not the case that pro Ms aren't allowed to state their case, but personal attacks are pointless.

Point for point, no pro will be able to find evidence to counter the many 'discrepancies' in this whole affair. They like to think they are defending a bereft and maligned couple. Not so.
This is not so much about the McCanns as about the protection and unprecedented help and publicity they were given. The interference with the evidence and the vindictive haunting of the Portugese police and people.
So the pro McCanns have to resort to personal attacks on anti McCanns, because arguing with the evidence is pointless. They don't even want to look at it.

Going off at a bit of a tangent, I had wondered why there haven't been any comments from guests recently but have now learned from a previous posting here that they can no longer do so. I am glad that this has been changed as, having been reading some old topics for the first time, there were guests (not only the infamous Garth) who were clearly out to cause trouble and couldn't be banned in the way that a registered member can. Thank you admin for stopping this disruptive element.

Remember Amaral said that Gordon Brown put pressure on Socrates ahead of the Lisbon treaty and accused Brown of holding up the signing till Socrates did what he wanted re the McCann case. Just wondering but has anyone noticed that Brown arrived late in Lisbon.

"For Portugal, the signing Thursday of a treaty to overhaul the governance of the European Union in Lisbon was a "tipping point," said Manuel Pinho, the Portuguese minister for the economy and innovation.

"The event did not go entirely smoothly. Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain skipped the ceremony, skulking into town later in the day to add his signature.

The apparent snub - Brown cited a scheduling conflict - probably had more to do with fear of the euroskeptic Fleet Street tabloids than with any desire to offend the hosts. But to the Portuguese, being brushed off, overlooked or misunderstood by larger European countries is an all-too-common occurrence. Now they are trying to do something about it."

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/16/technology/16iht-AD17.1.8754656.html

You have to ask yourself WHAT could be more important to our Prime Minister than meeting with other European leaders at the signing of a treaty?

It does make you wonder if Amaral is right and just wondering did G.B make a secret quick stop somewhere in the Algarve?

But he wasn't our prime minister, he was chancellor of the exchequer.

happychick wrote:But he wasn't our prime minister, he was chancellor of the exchequer.

He was at the time of the Lisbon Treaty. He was made PM in June 2007 and this is November 2007.