McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
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McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
The McCanns: Innocent until tried by the newspapers
Joan Smith - The Independent - Sunday 7 July 2013
As British police swoop in six years on, Kate and Gerry McCann face weeks of press chatter.
There is often a moment in old-fashioned detective fiction when someone decides to ‘call in the Yard’.
Bumbling local cops are sidelined as worldly-wise detectives arrive from London, spotting missed clues and identifying suspects. Hence the sense of déjà vu I experienced a couple of days ago when there was a ‘breakthrough’ in the Madeleine McCann case.
Scotland Yard has launched a new investigation, detectives are supposedly about to ‘swoop’; and arrests could be made ‘within weeks’.
The popular press has always treated this abduction as a completely irresistible mystery. Since she disappeared in Portugal in 2007, Madeleine has been ‘spotted’, I don't know how many times, while one ‘suspect’ after another has been dismissed from the inquiry.
There is a difference this time, which is that Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, are being treated with kid gloves. I suspect this has more to do with their successful libel action against Express newspapers, in which they were awarded damages of £550,000, than a sudden outbreak of compassion and decency.
In other respects, the announcement produced the usual round of febrile speculation, despite an attempt by Scotland Yard to manage expectations. All we know for certain is that detectives have identified ‘38 persons of interest’, including known sex offenders, during a lengthy review of the case. Twelve are UK nationals whom the police believe were in Portugal when Madeleine went missing.
But a ‘person of interest’ is not the same as a prime suspect. Logic dictates that most, if not all, of the 38 will turn out to have nothing to do with the case, while the police have been careful to talk about no more than the ‘possibility’ that Madeleine is alive.
The review which preceded the inquiry involved 30,500 documents, material collected by both British and Portuguese police forces and the findings of seven private-detective agencies. The fact that so much material has been amassed without producing hard evidence shows how difficult this case is; vital leads are usually generated within hours of a crime, and detectives are dealing with events that took place six years ago.
I'm sure Kate and Gerry McCann, whom I've met on several occasions, are desperately hoping they will finally discover what happened to their daughter.
No one who heard their testimony to the Leveson inquiry could doubt how much they've suffered because of the loss of their child, but I can't help wondering about the timing of the decision. It comes after a dreadful few weeks for the Metropolitan Police, whose reputation seems to become ever more battered with every news bulletin.
Already the McCann inquiry has produced headlines suggesting that Scotland Yard will succeed where their Portuguese colleagues failed, but it's a risky strategy.
Meanwhile, the McCanns will have to brace themselves for weeks of speculation - and what could be a big test of the conduct of the popular press after the drubbing it received in the Leveson report.
Joan Smith - The Independent - Sunday 7 July 2013
As British police swoop in six years on, Kate and Gerry McCann face weeks of press chatter.
There is often a moment in old-fashioned detective fiction when someone decides to ‘call in the Yard’.
Bumbling local cops are sidelined as worldly-wise detectives arrive from London, spotting missed clues and identifying suspects. Hence the sense of déjà vu I experienced a couple of days ago when there was a ‘breakthrough’ in the Madeleine McCann case.
Scotland Yard has launched a new investigation, detectives are supposedly about to ‘swoop’; and arrests could be made ‘within weeks’.
The popular press has always treated this abduction as a completely irresistible mystery. Since she disappeared in Portugal in 2007, Madeleine has been ‘spotted’, I don't know how many times, while one ‘suspect’ after another has been dismissed from the inquiry.
There is a difference this time, which is that Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, are being treated with kid gloves. I suspect this has more to do with their successful libel action against Express newspapers, in which they were awarded damages of £550,000, than a sudden outbreak of compassion and decency.
In other respects, the announcement produced the usual round of febrile speculation, despite an attempt by Scotland Yard to manage expectations. All we know for certain is that detectives have identified ‘38 persons of interest’, including known sex offenders, during a lengthy review of the case. Twelve are UK nationals whom the police believe were in Portugal when Madeleine went missing.
But a ‘person of interest’ is not the same as a prime suspect. Logic dictates that most, if not all, of the 38 will turn out to have nothing to do with the case, while the police have been careful to talk about no more than the ‘possibility’ that Madeleine is alive.
The review which preceded the inquiry involved 30,500 documents, material collected by both British and Portuguese police forces and the findings of seven private-detective agencies. The fact that so much material has been amassed without producing hard evidence shows how difficult this case is; vital leads are usually generated within hours of a crime, and detectives are dealing with events that took place six years ago.
I'm sure Kate and Gerry McCann, whom I've met on several occasions, are desperately hoping they will finally discover what happened to their daughter.
No one who heard their testimony to the Leveson inquiry could doubt how much they've suffered because of the loss of their child, but I can't help wondering about the timing of the decision. It comes after a dreadful few weeks for the Metropolitan Police, whose reputation seems to become ever more battered with every news bulletin.
Already the McCann inquiry has produced headlines suggesting that Scotland Yard will succeed where their Portuguese colleagues failed, but it's a risky strategy.
Meanwhile, the McCanns will have to brace themselves for weeks of speculation - and what could be a big test of the conduct of the popular press after the drubbing it received in the Leveson report.
Re: McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
Was there a successful libel action? Weasel words, wasn't it a settlement out of court/ hardly an 'award'.sharonl wrote:[successful libel action against Express newspapers, in which they were awarded damages of £550,000.
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Re: McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
NO mention of the costs 'awarded' AGAINST the McCanns AND their three children in their TWO failed book ban appeals!Praiaaa wrote:Was there a successful libel action? Weasel words, wasn't it a settlement out of court/ hardly an 'award'.sharonl wrote:[successful libel action against Express newspapers, in which they were awarded damages of £550,000.
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Re: McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
'The fact that so much material has been amassed without producing hard evidence shows how difficult this case is'
The fact that so much evidence has been amassed ..... none of which supports the theory of an abduction.
Now let's see, where should the police go from there? Very difficult!
The fact that so much evidence has been amassed ..... none of which supports the theory of an abduction.
Now let's see, where should the police go from there? Very difficult!
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Re: McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
Read the police files Joan.
I'm sure Kate and Gerry McCann, whom I've met on several occasions, are desperately hoping they will finally discover what happened to their daughter
maebee- Madeleine Foundation
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Re: McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
Joan Smith - not independent at all; incredibly biased in fact.
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Re: McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
"I'm sure Kate and Gerry McCann, whom I've met on several occasions, are desperately hoping they will finally discover what happened to their daughter."
_____________________________________________________________________
Eh? Haven't they been telling the world that their daughter has been 'abducted' by a swarthy, egg headed, foreign paedo who has no fingerprints or DNA but does wear smart shoes?
Nothing to 'discover' there!
Unless of course.........................she wasn't!
Now there could be plenty to finally 'discover' there!
_____________________________________________________________________
Eh? Haven't they been telling the world that their daughter has been 'abducted' by a swarthy, egg headed, foreign paedo who has no fingerprints or DNA but does wear smart shoes?
Nothing to 'discover' there!
Unless of course.........................she wasn't!
Now there could be plenty to finally 'discover' there!
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lying
On McCann files there is a new article coming from The Interrrupted Investigation where one wonders if the Met are lying. Of course they are. Police work is like war strategy. Or like a chess play.
The last thing they do, before catching the prepetrator, is to telling what is going on and what they found out about the case.
If the Portuguese authorities including the PJ accept them in Algarve, it is because they know both police are on the right track.
We all have to remember that we know extremely little about what is going on. I am already very happy that things have gone this far.
And pay attention on the MCanns' silence. Eloquent, is itn't ?
The last thing they do, before catching the prepetrator, is to telling what is going on and what they found out about the case.
If the Portuguese authorities including the PJ accept them in Algarve, it is because they know both police are on the right track.
We all have to remember that we know extremely little about what is going on. I am already very happy that things have gone this far.
And pay attention on the MCanns' silence. Eloquent, is itn't ?
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Re: McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
Who cares how many times Joan Smith has met them? Why does she need to even print such a stupid sentence?
So she has met them many times AND WHAT? Stupid, no wonder we are so easily bored with the (non) newspapers these days.
Read the files Joan Smith, read the files.
So she has met them many times AND WHAT? Stupid, no wonder we are so easily bored with the (non) newspapers these days.
Read the files Joan Smith, read the files.
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Re: McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
It seems as if Joan Smith fell for a famous storyline - it's only dastardly strangers who commit crimes. People you've met can't possibly have done anything wrong!
Guest- Guest
Re: McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
“It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.” ~Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens) (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910)No Fate Worse Than De'Ath wrote:It seems as if Joan Smith fell for a famous storyline - it's only dastardly strangers who commit crimes. People you've met can't possibly have done anything wrong!
NEXT!
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Re: McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
Yep, and in my opinion that is the reason for the cover up. People don't want to be seen as fools, and by now Cameron, Andy, SY all would look as unbelievable fools when they have to admit it was all the parents and friends doing.
____________________
"And if Madeleine had hurt herself inside the apartment, why would that be our fault?" Gerry
http://pjga.blogspot.co.uk/?m=0
http://whatreallyhappenedtomadeleinemccann.blogspot.co.uk/
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Re: McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
Wouldn't it be disgraceful if people put pride before a missing child!
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Re: McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
It would, absolutely, but I think this would play much more for Blair and Brown than for Cameron.
Guest- Guest
illness
During the Leveson inquiry, Brown was asked about a Sun article, where they published about a serious health problem of his 5 years old son.
(something of fibers in his lungs? Not sure). The Sun or the NOW had broken in the medical files of the boy.
Even the boy had no idea he was ill. Children at school seemed to have approached him with the news.
When the Leveson inquiry asked Brown about that issue, asking why Mrs. Brown remaining being close friend of Rebekah Brooks, he answered:
_My wife is the most forgiveful person I have ever known.
(something of fibers in his lungs? Not sure). The Sun or the NOW had broken in the medical files of the boy.
Even the boy had no idea he was ill. Children at school seemed to have approached him with the news.
When the Leveson inquiry asked Brown about that issue, asking why Mrs. Brown remaining being close friend of Rebekah Brooks, he answered:
_My wife is the most forgiveful person I have ever known.
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Re: McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
Marconi, it was a truly dreadful business because Brown's youngest child had cystic fibrosis, a genetic illness with serious ongoing lung and digestive complications inevitable. It is life-limiting and there is no cure, and Brown did not originally wish to publicise this and was bounced into it. I disliked Brown intensely, but felt so sorry for him and his wife at that point.
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Re: McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
Will Joan Smith be in Portugal on 9th September reporting what Mr. A. has to say on the steps of the court?
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Re: McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
I am surprised that the Independent considers the Mccanns News Worthy even when nothing is happening.plebgate wrote:Who cares how many times Joan Smith has met them? Why does she need to even print such a stupid sentence?
So she has met them many times AND WHAT? Stupid, no wonder we are so easily bored with the (non) newspapers these days.
Read the files Joan Smith, read the files.
Actually, Joan Smith's piece is rather objective. Read between her lines and there's plenty hidden messages within.
But a ‘person of interest’ is not the same as a prime suspect. Logic dictates that most, if not all, of the 38 will turn out to have nothing to do with the case, while the police have been careful to talk about no more than the ‘possibility’ that Madeleine is alive.
For example, if the 38 POI will turn out to have nothing to do with the case or will lead to *possibility* that she is alive, you have to question why the Police would want to investigate them. Also she places 'possibility' in inverted commas, indicative of her skepticism that Maddie is alive.
The review which preceded the inquiry involved 30,500 documents, material collected by both British and Portuguese police forces and the findings of seven private-detective agencies. The fact that so much material has been amassed without producing hard evidence shows how difficult this case is; vital leads are usually generated within hours of a crime, and detectives are dealing with events that took place six years ago.
For once, a journalist got her fact right - SEVEN pte detective agencies and not SIX as reported by most.
The bits I underscored again shows Joan Smith is skeptical about Redwood's statement - the give away is in her words "without producing hard evidence". In short, she's saying Redwood has no hard evidence (despite the 30,500 documents from three strands) to support his claim she's alive.
I'm sure Kate and Gerry McCann, whom I've met on several occasions, are desperately hoping they will finally discover what happened to their daughter.
No one who heard their testimony to the Leveson inquiry could doubt how much they've suffered because of the loss of their child, but I can't help wondering about the timing of the decision. It comes after a dreadful few weeks for the Metropolitan Police, whose reputation seems to become ever more battered with every news bulletin.
Already the McCann inquiry has produced headlines suggesting that Scotland Yard will succeed where their Portuguese colleagues failed, but it's a risky strategy.
So she's is hinting that Redwood's proclamation is but a STRATEGY and a risky one to have said : "she may be alive".
You have to question why she thinks (I am sure she's not alone in that) the Police employ strategy in their announcement to the Public.
Aren't they supposed to announce only facts ?
Meanwhile, the McCanns will have to brace themselves for weeks of speculation - and what could be a big test of the conduct of the popular press after the drubbing it received in the Leveson report.
So she believes the Mccanns wont be free of speculation despite their appearance at Leveson to silent the Press----hmmmm interesting.
You have to question why the Press would continue to speculate (no smoke without fire) post Mccanns performance at Leveson and Gerry's voice for Hack unless they know more but apply restraint when reporting, drawing the line at not crossing the libelous border, but still wanting certain info to be in the public domain.
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Re: McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
You do cheer me up, Aiyoyo!
____________________
Lasciate ogni speranza, voi ch'entrate.
Re: McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
Will look more foolish in the future if so.lj wrote:Yep, and in my opinion that is the reason for the cover up. People don't want to be seen as fools, and by now Cameron, Andy, SY all would look as unbelievable fools when they have to admit it was all the parents and friends doing.
And right now, they must know that the majority of the public already figured it all out, because its plain simple.
They could say THEY had other more important things to do! And they knew but needed evidence.
Maybe they will reconsider. Wouldn't this be nice!
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Re: McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
Discussion on This Morning newspaper review, a female at the end of discussion, [ I was busy so not sure if the following was from a female presenter or a guest....]
talking about the weather initially as UK storms predicted........ "it is a great day for the newspapers, the weather, the Royals and Madeleine McCann on the front pages. They have got the lot. "
talking about the weather initially as UK storms predicted........ "it is a great day for the newspapers, the weather, the Royals and Madeleine McCann on the front pages. They have got the lot. "
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The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie — deliberate,
contrived and dishonest — but the myth — persistent, persuasive and
unrealistic.
~John F. Kennedy
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Re: McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
I have not heard from the newspapers for a while on this case.....even after CW wondering has there been some sort of gag...?
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Re: McCanns - Innocent, until tried by the newspapers - by Joan 'I've met the McCanns on several occasions' Smiith
russiandoll wrote:Discussion on This Morning newspaper review, a female at the end of discussion, [ I was busy so not sure if the following was from a female presenter or a guest....]
talking about the weather initially as UK storms predicted........ "it is a great day for the newspapers, the weather, the Royals and Madeleine McCann on the front pages. They have got the lot. "
This is why they frequently have to make the news, keep entertaining the masses with a bit of paedo, bit of celebrity gossip and the weather, all as allowed by the media outfit that Clarrie used to head.
His meteoric rise to a position beyond his competence couldn't have anything to do witth Trafigura and knowing where the bodies are buried? Metaphorically speaking one hopes.
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