Madeleine McCann: Top officer pledges that hunt for missing girl will continue apace

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/madeleine-mccann-top-officer-pledges-5699591#ICID=sharebar_twitter

Madeleine McCann: Top officer pledges that hunt for missing girl will continue apace




Missing: Maddie



The search for Madeleine McCann is “moving on a pace” and will not end until all avenues are exhausted, Britain’s top police officer said today.
Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, reacted angrily to concerns raised by the Police Federation about the millions of pounds of public money devoted to the case.
He said: “It’s not for them to decide which investigation we carry out, it’s my decision. This investigation is funded by the government and the only thing that will decide whether or not it continues are the chances of success in finding that girl.
"It’s really for me and not a [Police] Federation issue.”
Portuguese prosecutor Ines Sequeira said she was determined to crack the case when she took it over last October, bringing fresh hope to Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry.


AFP/Getty
Hope: Maddie's parents have been reassured that search will continue

Sir Bernard said of the investigation: “It’s moving on apace at the moment in terms of the relationship with the Portuguese and that is to be welcomed. As long as there’s a basis for doing the investigation we will continue.”
He said the Prime Minister David Cameron and Home Secretary Teresa May support the investigation.
Madeleine was just three when she went missing from her family’s Algarve holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on May 3 2007 as Kate and Gerry, sat at a nearby tapas restaurant with friends.
Portuguese police closed their investigation in 2008 but the Metropolitan Police launched their own inquiry, codenamed Operation Grange, three years later.
Sir Bernard was responding to concerns raised by John Tully, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, who said in March: “It’s time to re-focus on what we need to do to keep London safe.
"We no longer have the resources to conduct specialist inquiries all over the world which have nothing to do with London.
“The Met has long been seen as the last resort for investigations others have struggled with elsewhere. It is surprising to see an inquiry like the McCann investigation ring-fenced. I’ve heard a few rumblings of discontent about it from lots of sources."
He added: “When the force is facing a spike in murder investigations, it’s not surprising there is resentment of significant resources diverted to a case that has no apparent connection to London.”
Operation Grange has cost almost £8million. More than £100,000 has been spent on the transport of British authorities to and from Portugal. The money comes from a special Home Office fund.

"The money comes from a special Home Office fund."


Now that`s interesting. It`s a "special" fund is it ?


I`ve always thought it might be, that is, one not funded by the public, but one funded by an interested party shall we say.

What's really going on here?

Anything to do with this?

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/may/21/theresa-may-police-federation-power





Theresa May stuns Police Federation with vow to break its power
Home secretary says that in their handling of sensitive cases some officers had displayed 'contempt for the public'


 
Wednesday 21 May 2014 20.33 BST Last modified on Tuesday 1 July 2014 15.50 BST


Theresa May said on Wednesday that the legitimacy of British policing was in jeopardy following the Stephen Lawrence and other scandals, in an uncompromising speech that also pledged to break the power of the officers' once feared trade union.
The home secretary stunned delegates at the Police Federation conference in Bournemouth as she criticised officers for in some instances displaying a "contempt for the public" in their handling of sensitive cases.
Citing excessive stop and search inflicted on black communities and failures in handling domestic violence cases, May said problems appeared to lie with a significant minority of officers rather than just "a few bad apples".
She pledged to break the powerful federation, announcing an end to its automatic right to enrol police officers as its members, in effect curtailing the closed shop in policing .
As the home secretary took the stage she was greeted by polite applause, but when she left there was silence, as May warned that a string of scandals about corruption and the conduct of the federation itself risked destroying the bedrock of British policing, which is that officers exercise their powers through the consent of the public.
"If there is anybody in this hall who doubts that our model of policing is at risk, if there is anybody who underestimates the damage recent events and revelations have done to the relationship between the public and the police, if anybody here questions the need for the police to change, I am here to tell you that it's time to face up to reality," May said.
Will Riches, one of two candidates to be the federation's chair, said afterwards the reaction of delegates to the speech was one of "shock and bewilderment". Ian Pointon of Kent police branded the speech vitriolic.
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He said of the home secretary: "This morning she left as a bully."
May referenced Hillsborough, the death of Ian Tomlinson and allegations of corruption in the Lawrence and Daniel Morgan murders. She also cited the Plebgate affair, which cost Andrew Mitchell his cabinet job after he allegedly swore at a member of Downing Street's police staff which Mitchell denies., and the refusal of officers to answer questions from their own watchdog – which she said the federation encouraged.
She said: "It is not enough to mouth platitudes about a few bad apples. The problem might lie with a minority of officers, but it is still a significant problem, and a problem that needs to be addressed." Polls show two-thirds of the public trust the police but May said: "We should never accept a situation in which a third of people do not trust police officers to tell the truth." She added that when only four in 10 black people trusted the police the situation was "simply not sustainable".
She said it was unacceptable for officers called to help a woman who had suffered domestic violence accidentally recording themselves calling the victim a "slag" and a "bitch" and said this was an example of a deeper problem.
The home secretary said: "It is an attitude that betrays contempt for the public these officers are supposed to serve – and every police officer in the land, every single police leader, and everybody in the Police Federation should confront it and expunge it from the ranks."
May spoke in Bournemouth hours before the federation started to vote on a package of root-and-branch reforms seen as vital to save it from disaster.
Outgoing chair Steven Williams said he and others in the leadership had been given no warning of the home secretary's new measures, let alone the tone of the speech.
May told the once feared federation that it must adopt all 36 reforms proposed by an independent review into its future. She said if the federation failed to reform itself the government would remove control of the organisation from its leaders and impose change. She warned: "The federation was created by an act of parliament and it can be reformed by an act of parliament. If you do not change of your own accord, we will impose change on you."
Hours later the federation voted to adopt all 36 recommendations to reform the organisation, which has been accused of being unrepresentative and whose members feel let down by it according to its own polling.
May said she would end the automatic right of the federation to have police officers enrolled as their members. In the future officers would have to choose to join, and she also said they would have to actively choose to pay fees to the organisation.
The reforms, which will require legislation, are akin to changes forced by the Thatcher government on the once powerful trade unions.
Created by parliament in 1919 to represent rank-and-file officers, the Police Federation was intended to stop officers from joining unions with the right to strike.
May announced an end to public funding for the top officials of the federation, worth £190,000 a year.
She also said the Home Office would use its legal powers to call in the federation's central accounts, and change the law to call in its other accounts held by local branches.
This will include the so-called number two accounts held by local branches said to contain at least £30m in reserves.Anthony Painter, of the Royal Society of Arts and director of the independent review into the Federation which called for the whole sale reforms, said: "The opting in is the most significant part of the speech.
"It significantly weakens the Federation, it puts a hurdle to membership which isn't there."
After the speech, Sir David Normington, the chair of the review into the Federation and the former top Home Office civil servant, tried to calm delegates: "I think you have to channel your energies and anger into reform and you have to prove the home secretary wrong."
Tomorrow the federation votes for a new chair to lead the process of hammering out the detail of the 36 reforms.
Privately, federation leaders who backed modernisation believe the conference would have voted for change regardless of May's speech.

Dutchgirl wrote:http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/madeleine-mccann-top-officer-pledges-5699591#ICID=sharebar_twitter

Madeleine McCann: Top officer pledges that hunt for missing girl will continue apace 
  
The search for Madeleine McCann is “moving on apace” and will not end until all avenues are exhausted, Britain’s top police officer said today.
Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner...

They take us for complete and utter idiots.

Wind back to February 2014 - 15 months ago - and it was Deputy Assistant Commissioner Martin Hewitt who told us:

"Clearly the investigative tempo is moving forward..."   http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/madeleine-mccann-missing-british-police-3142582


It's been 8 years and 11 days now since Madeleine was reported missing

Sunday, 17 June 2007,

Support for search for Madeleine

Madeleine McCann has now been missing for more than a month

People in Liverpool are helping to promote the continued search for missing toddler Madeleine McCann.
A thousand messages of support attached to helium balloons will be released later by Madeleine's grandparents Sue and Brian Healey.

The 4-year-old's grandparents live in the Mossley Hill area - Madeline's mum Kate grew up in the city.

The four-year-old was snatched from her bed while on holiday in Portugal's Praia da Luz resort on 3 May.

The local community want to show support for the appeal.

The balloons will cost a pound to sponsor and all money will go to the Madeleine appeal fund.

The Chief Constable of Merseyside Police - Bernard Hogan Howe will lead the release of balloons on the highest point of Liverpool inner city on Mossley Hill Field at 1400 BST.

All money WILL GO to G&K McCann's private limited company.

Perhaps HH will 'suggest', nae, 'order' that a 'find Madeleine' er, 'donation' collection 'box' be placed in every MPS police station canteen.

As we ALWAYS thought, and BHH has, angrily, confirmed it 'now', he IS the 'big boss' of OG.

(after 'pretending', publicly, he didn't 'know' what OG 'was'!)

The very same BHH who 'supposedly' led a balloon launch, charging small kiddies £1-a-go, to enhance 'funds' for a private limited company.

Has ANY other UK police 'chief' EVER 'raised' money for a PRIVATE Ltd company?

(istbc, but i 'think' it's actually illegal (for a police officer) due to possibly of being 'blackmailed, indebted etc., at a 'later' date)

With TWO people, later board 'directors' of that private company, being named as 'arguido/arguida' (POI) in a case involving a 'missing' child, THEIR 'child'!

In 'it' up to his dodgy eyebrows!, imo.

".......that girl" BHH?

You're sounding very much like 'that girl's' father, GM!

He calls his daughter 'she, her, the child'

'that girl's' name is Madeleine!

Very good points Jeanmonroe... and what a clear conflict of interest!

Might it be too much to hope that Sir BHH might not only be bothered by the Police Federation, but might he also be getting a bit ‘windy’ because of the IPCC and London Mayor's Office for Policing complaints that have been raised by members here?  

I’m no doubt just feeling particularly conspiratorial tonight but when BHH says “It’s not for them to decide which investigation we carry out, it’s my decision. This investigation is funded by the government and the only thing that will decide whether or not it continues are the chances of success in finding that girl” might the sub-text also be that he’s flexing his muscles against those who may have recently button-holed him in the corridor and unofficially questioned the remit?  Are 'them' those people that have been lodging challenges against 'his' remit? And thus when he says it's up to him to say “which investigation” is carried out he is distinguishing between his Met's “abduction” investigation, over an alternative unrestricted police investigation.

Either way it's obviously a topic that is on the radar at a senior level, and that's a good thing.  So all the more reason to keep those complaints and challenges going in if you have the slightest concern with the inappropriate use of the word 'abduction' to restrict the remit of Operation Grange.  The pressure of a short letter here and a short letter there to relevant organisations asking for assurances that a fair and unrestricted investigation is being carried out is something not to be underestimated.  Yours may be the letter that breaks the camel's back... So if you haven't popped a letter off yet to the IPCC or the London Mayor's Office for Policing then why not pour yourself a cuppa and get those fingers a-typing!

TB has provided links previously...and here they are again:
London Mayor:  enquiries@mopac.london.gov.uk
IPCC: enquiries@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk

He said: “It’s not for them to decide which investigation we carry out, it’s my decision. This investigation is funded by the government and the only thing that will decide whether or not it continues are the chances of success in finding that girl.

He talks of finding "that" girl (note - no name); not about solving the case as if they believe she is alive and findable !

What is going on ?

Where is the evidence that led them to believe the "chances of success in finding that girl" that can justify the continuity ?

So there IS a search !
Where ?
By Whom?

IMO with so much public money being spent and no info. forthcoming isn't it about time one of the MP Committee's(? public account's) started asking questions about the amount of money being spent with apparently no end in sight?  

How much more time and public money is going to be spent and why isn't the money from the Fund (set up to look for Maddie) being given back to the taxpayers?

PeterMac wrote:So there IS a search !
Where ?
By Whom?

'So there IS a 'search'

YES!

'Where?'

On the 'snail', PDL, Portugal.

'By whom?'

Lots, and LOTS, of 'elite, experienced' homicide detectives and highly 'specialised' personnel, AND the world's BEST police 'sniffer' dogs!

Can we 'expect', a new, publicity blazen, 'SHOW', from MET/OG in the near 'future' (holiday 'high' season') in PDL, Portugal, to 'find' Madeleine?

To, 'purely coincidentally', 'chime' with a certain, former arguida, and her 'friend', charidy local (UK) bike 'ride'?

"THE man from the MET, 'the big 'boss', of OG, he say, Churchillian 'dog' like...............OH YES!"
---------------------------------------
PDL 'resident'

"The MET always turns up, when the sun starts to shine"

"The four-year-old was snatched from her bed while on holiday......."



NOT what the McCann's highly paid lawyers, Carter Ruck, said, publicly, in a UK High Court, though, is it?

"The four-year-old"?

Madeleine was three years old, when she went 'missing........on holiday'

BBC 'reporting', at it's very, very, 'finest'!

The report in OP reminds everyone that the lady Portugese top cop is determined to crack the case.

PeterMac wrote:So there IS a search !
Where ?
By Whom?

All valid questions.
Maybe they are still looking for a cave that is 10ml radius of PDL ?

plebgate wrote:The report in OP reminds everyone that the lady Portugese top cop is determined to crack the case.

Well, imo, there are certainly a few, male, 'nuts', at MET/OG, that need 'cracking'!

Did he really say this today (14^th May)?
 
‘The search for Madeleine McCann is “moving on a pace” and will not end until all avenues are exhausted, Britain’s top police officer said today.
Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, reacted angrily to concerns raised by the Police Federation about the millions of pounds of public money devoted to the case.
He said: “It’s not for them to decide which investigation we carry out, it’s my decision. This investigation is funded by the government and the only thing that will decide whether or not it continues are the chances of success in finding that girl.
"It’s really for me and not a [Police] Federation issue.”
 
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/madeleine-mccann-top-officer-pledges-5699591#ICID=sharebar_twitter
 
I’m sorry but this looks to be typical Mirror bullshit.
 
John Tully’s remarks were first reported on 19^th March 2015, so why would BHH suddenly ‘react(ed) angrily’ two months later?
 
If this was part of a regular press briefing, why have none of the other papers picked up on it?
 
‘Pinky’ getting back in the swing maybe?

"........................ why have none of the other papers picked up on it?"

Because, IT'S 'NOT' THEIR...'TURN'!

Not a single sighting of Madeleine in how many months?

aquila wrote:Not a single sighting of Madeleine in how many months?

96 months and 12 days.

aiyoyo wrote:

PeterMac wrote:So there IS a search !
Where ?
By Whom?

Here possibly,

http://www.acoollink.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/getworkdone.jpg

jhansigirl wrote:

aiyoyo wrote:

PeterMac wrote:So there IS a search !
Where ?
By Whom?

Here possibly,

http://www.acoollink.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/getworkdone.jpg

I haven't seen Gerry do anything like that!

lj wrote:

jhansigirl wrote:

aiyoyo wrote:

PeterMac wrote:So there IS a search !
Where ?
By Whom?

Here possibly,

http://www.acoollink.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/getworkdone.jpg

I haven't seen Gerry do anything like that!

I was referring to the UK police. :) 

"If there is anybody in this hall who doubts that our model of policing is at risk, if there is anybody who underestimates the damage recent events and revelations have done to the relationship between the public and the police, if anybody here questions the need for the police to change, I am here to tell you that it's time to face up to reality,"

Quoted from the home secretary.
It is the government's responsibility to face reality. That is why you are elected. You are servants of the people, not the other way around.

I challenge the Home Secretary to initiate a review of this case in entirity, not just the version or remit as put forward by the McCanns.

If the mods pull this one then it is evident who's side they are working for.

Let's remind ourselves what Operation Grange's remit is:

Operation Grange
On 12 May 2011 the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) announced that, at the request of the Home Secretary, it had agreed to bring its particular expertise to the Madeleine McCann case.
The then Commissioner, Sir Paul Stephenson, considered the request and took the decision that on balance it was the right thing to do. This was subject to funding being made available by the Home Office, as this case is beyond the MPS's jurisdiction.
The Portuguese authorities retain the lead.

While the MPS will not provide a running commentary on its involvement, known as Operation Grange, it is felt appropriate to make the remit available to the public and it is available in the related publications.

Madeleine McCann Investigation Team

Major Investigation Team 5
Homicide and Serious Crime Command
Belgravia Police station
202-206 Buckingham Palace Rd
London SW1W 9SX
operation.grange@met.police.uk

Interesting?

To me, anyway.

I've 'noticed' BHH 'mentions' both the Home Secretary, TM, and Prime Minister DC as 'er, 'supporters' of the OG 'investigation'

He's actually 'mentioned' both of them before, in various 'interviews', when asked about the 'case'

What i 'think', imoo, is that he is subliminally, 'saying', 'if i'm going 'down', ('exposed'....for 'dodgy' investigation/cover up/whitewash?) then i'm, making sure, i'm 'taking' those two 'down' with me'

COULD 'explain' the 'unlimited' taxpayers 'funding' from HO, (TM) without ANY SCRUTINY, couldn't it?

£12.5+ MILLION, to 'date', and rising daily, by, £6,778.00p

TM 'appointed' BHH to his current 'position'.

Do, TM, DC, actually 'know/suspect' what 'happened' to Madeleine?

But BHH is stopping them 'saying' because he 'supported' the McCann's, very 'early' on? (within a month, June 2007)

BHH 'mugged off' by McCann's, BUT will NEVER, EVER, 'admit' it?

"I back my officers, 100%, why WOULD they 'lie'?" (BHH 'on' Plebgate)

Just BEFORE, one of his 100% 'backed', by him, personally, 30 year career, MET police officer, found guilty, in court, of 'lying', and sentenced to 12 months, in jail!

(and three other, MET officers/staff, 100% ,'backed', by him, sacked for gross misconduct)

Can't he just 'admit' he 'might' actually be WRONG, about people possibly 'lying' to him, about 'stuff'?

NOT a 'good position' for him, i'll agree, being totally, 'mugged off/fooled/out witted', by 'smarter than him' people, but surely, better for him, to admit that, than getting 'found out/exposed' later!

Anyway, i found it 'interesting' his oft references to the only two people he supposedly 'reports' to.