News of the World - reward money

by **tigger** 30.07.15 11:32

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What happened to the News of the World's 'Find Madeleine Reward Fund'?

On May 13 2007, ten days after Madeleine McCann disappeared from an apartment in Praia da Luz, the News of the World announced the "biggest ever newspaper reward" for information leading to Madeleine's safe return
At the same time, the paper promised that if the reward remained unpaid for any reason, the portion made up of readers' donations [The other portion being made up of 'pledges'] would be shared equally by children's charities Barnado's, Childline and the NSPCC.
In April 2011, the donated portion of the reward money was indeed paid out by News International - but not to the children's charities, as they had promised. Instead, and with no announcement from either the News of the World or the McCanns, it was paid into Madeleine's Fund.

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Tuesday, 3 June 2014 at 00:12

But what had happened to the News of the World Find Madeleine Reward Fund?

The paper had splashed its £1.5m headline reward figure alongside a picture of Madeleine and three phone numbers to call with information.

The paper had also invited readers to add their money - cash donations - to the headline pledges from the paper and its contingent of celebrities. It had set up a bank account , No. 52135590, Sort Code 40-36-15, at HSBC in Cathedral Square, Peterborough, just down the road from News International's accounts department.

Over the months that followed, for some reason, it never told its readers how much it had collected.

In its final edition:
THREE-YEAR-OLD Madeleine McCann is reported missing in Portugal by her parents Kate and Gerry. Gordon Brown replaces Tony Blair as leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister.

That was it. The last chance to tell the readers was gone. Who would now know?

.......

Ten weeks after the company had shut down the News of the World, a Press Officer was asked by email:

1. Is (the Reward Fund) still active?

2. How much was raised and what has happened to the funds since?

3. Given the demise of the newspaper, who is now responsible for the administration of this account?

4. What are the current plans for the Fund?

The reply, six days later, was also courteous and clear:

'Thank you for your enquiry.

'I can confirm that the funds raised by the appeal were donated in April this year (2011) to the official Madeleine Fund and the fund created by News of the World is no longer active.'

Two emails to the Find Madeleine website received only an automated response:

'Thank you for contacting the Find Madeleine Campaign. Your email will be read by a member of our campaign team. Please understand that we receive a large volume of emails and as a result you may not necessarily receive any further contact from us.'

A third email to the site's Webmaster eventually produced a reply:

'Sorry, I do not know the answer to your question.

'Sent from my iPad'

It was at this point, in early December 2013, that Dr. Gerry McCann was asked what had happened to the News of the World Reward Fund. He replied:

'That is something you will need to take up with News International.

'My understanding is that the reward was made up of pledges.'

This reply contradicted the information previously given by News International, so two further emails were sent to Dr. McCann, explaining News International’s position. He did not reply.

Two further directors of Madeleine's Fund were then approached.

Jon Corner is CEO of The Landing, a media facilities company at Salford Quays which, according to Visit Salford, is "a totally new facility at the heart of MediaCityUK where SMEs and micro-businesses can work alongside large media and technology organisations to drive product efficiency and develop new industry processes."

According to his own website, Edward Smethurst is an "Award Winning Manchester Solicitor... In March 2012, Edward won the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award at the Manchester Legal Awards 2012, which recognised his contribution to the legal industry in addition to his charitable work that includes being Chairman of the Madeleine McCann Fund and a trustee of Cancer Research UK."

Both directors were asked whether the News of the World Reward cash had been paid into the Madeleine's Fund. How much? When? And had the transfer had been a subject of discussion at any board meeting of Leaving No Stone Unturned Ltd.?

Mr. Corner did not reply.

Mr. Smethurst passed the enquiry to the Fund Secretary, whose name we are not releasing at this time.
(This was, it seemed, the experienced Fund Administrator who had been appointed to ensure the highest standards of transparency and accountability.)
Early in January 2014, the Secretary wrote:

'I confirm that the Fund does not hold any reward money for finding Madeleine. The income received in the year to which you refer was from donations.'

Once more, this was at odds with the information given by News International.

The Secretary was further asked to confirm or deny if any payment other than the £550,000 for serialisation of Mrs. McCann's book was made by News International to the Fund in April 2011.
The Secretary replied:

'I am sorry but I am not authorised to respond further.'

In mid-January 2014, the same request was put to Mr. Smethurst.
The reply came, instead, from the Secretary:

'In light of the fact that the Board is inundated with requests for information and we publish our accounts that are independently audited and publicly available, the Board is not prepared to enter into answering individual queries. We are sorry that we are not able to be of further help.'

In May 2014, it was put to Mr. Smethurst and the Secretary that, in April 2011, News International transferred the amount of £21,257.32 to Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned Ltd. The money had been donated by readers as a reward for information leading to the safe return of Madeleine.

Both were given the opportunity to amend or correct the claim.
No reply was received.
So what did happen to the News of the World readers' money?

And what happened to transparency?

by Guest 30.07.15 12:51

Tigger, I applaud your tenacity

clapping

by **tigger** 30.07.15 13:05

Portia wrote:Tigger, I applaud your tenacity

Thank you, but it's all Nigel's work on McCannfiles. I'd Always wondered what happened to it and the whole piece is well worth a read as it also deals with Hacked Off and the Leveson.... nod

by Doug D 30.07.15 16:37

Another thread on the subject at:

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together with link to blog at:

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I don’t believe the £1.5m ever existed as such and was just made up of pledges, but there was £21k collected from donations which according to the original appeal would be split between three childrens charities if ‘the reward remained unpaid for any reason’.

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By paying these funds over to the Madeleine Fund the NoW clearly acted illegally and should have been taken to task for it, but of course this never happened.

by mich22 15.10.15 12:37

In 2013 in a German interview DCI Redwood said there was a £20,000. reward for information regarding Madeleine's abduction, he also added another photofit alongside the photofits that were shown in Crimewatch UK. Why was this photo not shown to UK public?

by jeanmonroe 16.10.15 14:53

mich22 wrote:In 2013 in a German interview DCI Redwood said there was a £20,000. reward for information regarding Madeleine's abduction, he also added another photofit alongside the photofits that were shown in Crimewatch UK. Why was this photo not shown to UK public?

NO 'neglect' = NO 'abduction'

NO 'abduction' = NO 'reward'

Now, WHY would OG 'think' that a £20,000 OG 'reward' WOULD 'garner' any MORE erm., 'information,' than a £1,500.000 NOTW 'reward'?

WHY haven't the McCann's, themselves, NOT 'put up' a SINGLE PENNY as a 'reward'?

They're pretty 'boastful' that they are now 'millionaires' SINCE Madeleine 'disappeared', due 'to' income from 'bewks, online store, articles, libel cases etc'

'whether the case (into our daughter, Madeleine's, 'disappearance') is re-opened, or NOT, it dosen't matter..'

KM, 'mother' of a 'missing' child and an 'Embarrassador' for a 'missing/disappeared' people 'charity'.

"we were 'glad' the (police) 'investigation' (into our daughter, Madeleine's 'disappearance') WAS CLOSED'

KM, 'mother' of a 'missing' child and an 'Embarrassador' for a 'missing/disappeared' people 'charity'.

by plebgate 12.11.15 23:08

If I were in their position and had become a millionaire I would offer the whole lot as a reward.

Who know what new leads might be forthcoming with such a huge sum being offered for any information which might bring your child home. Yes, for sure, I would definitely offer the whole lot as a reward.

by jeanmonroe 13.11.15 10:55

"Yes, for sure, I would definitely offer the whole lot as a reward."
-----------------------------------------

AND the 'house, cars, every £ of their 'millions', ('accrued' SINCE Madeleine er, 'disappeared', BEFORE Madeleine 'disappeared' the McS, according to 'family', on record, 'DIDN'T HAVE A POT TO P*SS 'IN'!), in 'short'........EVERYTHING, they 'own', except the twins!

Like any 'normal' person WOULD DO!

by willowthewisp 13.11.15 11:22

Take a good long look at the wording of the original NotW statement,I believe it stated,"The safe return"what do they know?
As Philomena told us it "only takes one unscrupulous b*****d to come forward"Judas?

by Guest 01.06.16 23:50

I can't help but think there is a cross-over of interests as regards the News of the World's input, I'm thinking maybe it was a gross error on their part appealing for donations to swell a reward - at best naive and worst well, who knows. Rewards of this nature are not normally accrued by public donations, the reasons I think are obvious i.e. what happens to donations that are not repayable in the event of a reward not being payed out.

Continuing with the BBC report dated 12th May 2007 I mentioned earlier..

Mr Winyard said of his decision to offer a reward that he would be "rejoicing with the rest of the nation" if it helped to secure Madeleine's safe return.

The News of the World has promised £250,000 - matching the contribution of Top Shop owner Sir Philip Green.

Sir Richard and Everton FC owner Bill Kenwright were among others who contributed.
----------

Reportedly, lawyers flew out to PdL on 11th May 2007 when the 'Leave No Stone Unturned' logo was first mentioned. By way of confirmation, the International Family Law Group sent out to Portugal to assist the McCanns published this..

Media Release - 13th May 2007

Last week, Gerry and Kate McCann instructed The International Family Law Group, London specialist lawyers in child abduction and international family law, together with Michael Nicholls QC of 1 Hare Court, to help them in the search for Madeleine. They have been visiting the family in Portugal.

Gerry and Kate are very grateful for all the support and generous offers of help that they are receiving. Details of how contributions can be made to help get Madeleine back to the safety of her own family will be made available in the next couple of days.

As can be seen, the NOTW appeal and the birth of the Madeleine Fund transpired around the same time. Here there appears to be some confusion as to the NOTW's motive - whether they were appealing for pledges for a reward or contributions to a Fund, or a combination of the two.

To summarize, the 'Madeleine Fund - Leaving No Stone Unturned' officially launched on 17th May 2007 ran as follows:

Fund Details

The family of Madeleine McCann are today launching the Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned appeal. The funds will be used to help find Madeleine McCann, support her family and bring her abductors to justice. Any surplus funds will be used to help families and missing children in the United Kingdom, Portugal and elsewhere in similar circumstances.

Members of the public will be able to make donations to 'Madeleines Fund : Leaving No Stone Unturned Limited' over the counter in any branch of NatWest and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Postal donations by cheque to 'Madeleine's Fund' c/o The International Family Law Group - London.

Internet donations to Madeleine's Fund - Leaving No Stone Unturned. NatWest Bank - London

The News of the World appeal for reward pledges and/or donations launched around the same time however, asked that cheques or postal order be made payable to The Madeleine Fund HSBC Bank in Cambridgeshire.

Should the reward remain unpaid for any reason, the portion made up of readers' donations will be shared equally by children's charities, Barnado's, Childline and the NSPCC... and here's the interesting bit - 'In any matter relating to the reward fund, the Editor's decision is final.'

I'm wondering if the NOTW appeal was specifically designed to preempt the launch of the official Madeleine's Fund in addition to publicizing their reward scheme. Similar fund names, similar payment arrangements and similar claims as regards left-overs. Just how many bank accounts were opened to receive donations and just how many outlets made available to received donations - apart from the increased sales in brown envelopes.

by willowthewisp 12.09.16 17:42

I have watched Richard D Halls five part series on the disappearance of Madeleine McCann,reported missing 3 May 2007,yet within a Fourteen Day period,a top Law Firm in London instigates,"Find Madeleine Fund"which one of Kate's Parents let it slip out the "Main" purpose was for the Fund,"Legal Fees"?
Then we have from Richards Film(not Evidence)the remarkable role of Mr Gary Hagland "superior knowledge" on how to to deceive,disguise Money Laundering Enterprises on articles printed format,stating how you undertake these procedures?
It has been reported to Operation Grange and the Metropolitan Police Service by members of the public,that they believe that the"Find Madeleine Fund"has been used for an entirely different motive,than what it was reported to have been used for,legal fees?
Richard's film,quite clearly shows how the"Six"persons named within the film may not have scrutinised the"Trust Fund" to the"Transparency" they initiated to the public at it's inception and only allowing Accountants to offer the minimum accounting procedures, that the Law requires?
The Six Directors of the fund,remain very"Reticent"in explaining how Metodo3,Kevin Haligen were very able to dupe the Directors non-probity,with their Business Acumen, the£900,000 pounds paid to these Fraudsters and why the reluctance of not involving the Police if they suspected misappropriation of funds from the Madeleine Fund of which they are responsible for by Law?
Stinks to high of effluents building up to hit the "Proverbial fan",with all these Top flight Legal mandarins due to hit or splatter the wall with new plaster coving?

by MayMuse 12.09.16 18:12

willowthewisp wrote:I have watched Richard D Halls five part series on the disappearance of Madeleine McCann,reported missing 3 May 2007,yet within a Fourteen Day period,a top Law Firm in London instigates,"Find Madeleine Fund"which one of Kate's Parents let it slip out the "Main" purpose was for the Fund,"Legal Fees"?
Then we have from Richards Film(not Evidence)the remarkable role of Mr Gary Hagland "superior knowledge" on how to to deceive,disguise Money Laundering Enterprises on articles printed format,stating how you undertake these procedures?
It has been reported to Operation Grange and the Metropolitan Police Service by members of the public,that they believe that the"Find Madeleine Fund"has been used for an entirely different motive,than what it was reported to have been used for,legal fees?
Richard's film,quite clearly shows how the"Six"persons named within the film may not have scrutinised the"Trust Fund" to the"Transparency" they initiated to the public at it's inception and only allowing Accountants to offer the minimum accounting procedures, that the Law requires?
The Six Directors of the fund,remain very"Reticent"in explaining how Metodo3,Kevin Haligen were very able to dupe the Directors non-probity,with their Business Acumen, the£900,000 pounds paid to these Fraudsters and why the reluctance of not involving the Police if they suspected misappropriation of funds from the Madeleine Fund of which they are responsible for by Law?
Stinks to high of effluents building up to hit the "Proverbial fan",with all these Top flight Legal mandarins due to hit or splatter the wall with new plaster coving?

,"Find Madeleine Fund"which one of Kate's Parents let it slip out the "Main" purpose was for the Fund,"Legal Fees"?

It was her uncle Brian Kennedy, he told a reporter on T.V. therefore told the World.

by worriedmum 12.09.16 23:23

MayMuse wrote:
willowthewisp wrote:I have watched Richard D Halls five part series on the disappearance of Madeleine McCann,reported missing 3 May 2007,yet within a Fourteen Day period,a top Law Firm in London instigates,"Find Madeleine Fund"which one of Kate's Parents let it slip out the "Main" purpose was for the Fund,"Legal Fees"?
Then we have from Richards Film(not Evidence)the remarkable role of Mr Gary Hagland "superior knowledge" on how to to deceive,disguise Money Laundering Enterprises on articles printed format,stating how you undertake these procedures?
It has been reported to Operation Grange and the Metropolitan Police Service by members of the public,that they believe that the"Find Madeleine Fund"has been used for an entirely different motive,than what it was reported to have been used for,legal fees?
Richard's film,quite clearly shows how the"Six"persons named within the film may not have scrutinised the"Trust Fund" to the"Transparency" they initiated to the public at it's inception and only allowing Accountants to offer the minimum accounting procedures, that the Law requires?
The Six Directors of the fund,remain very"Reticent"in explaining how Metodo3,Kevin Haligen were very able to dupe the Directors non-probity,with their Business Acumen, the£900,000 pounds paid to these Fraudsters and why the reluctance of not involving the Police if they suspected misappropriation of funds from the Madeleine Fund of which they are responsible for by Law?
Stinks to high of effluents building up to hit the "Proverbial fan",with all these Top flight Legal mandarins due to hit or splatter the wall with new plaster coving?
,"Find Madeleine Fund"which one of Kate's Parents let it slip out the "Main" purpose was for the Fund,"Legal Fees"?

It was her uncle Brian Kennedy, he told a reporter on T.V. therefore told the World.

Here is the link to Brian Kennedy's appearance.
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