‘Maddie police were ignored’ Detectives have waited five months for Scotland Yard leads

PORTUGUESE detectives tasked with helping Scotland Yard solve the Madeleine McCann mystery have spent the past five months waiting for leads to pursue from their British counterparts.

By James Murray, EXCLUSIVE
PUBLISHED:  00:01, Sun, May 8, 2016


A small team of highly experienced officers at Faro on the Algarve want to resume investigations on the case but have been left frustrated by having nothing to do.

Three senior detectives in Faro are poised to act on any Yard requests but have been left virtually twiddling their thumbs for at least five months, so have started doing other work.

When the Metropolitan Police launched Operation Grange in 2011, senior officers spent months rebuilding strained relations with their counterparts in Portugal.

The Yard has to send a so-called rogatory letter requesting Portuguese officers to make inquiries on their behalf.

These requests go to a Portuguese prosecuting official who decides whether they are valid or not.

In the past British detectives have been present in interview rooms in Faro when suspects and witnesses have been interviewed.

A well-placed source in Faro said: “The last rogatory letter came through at the end of last year and officers gave it their full and prompt attention. Since then it has been very quiet. The detectives in Faro are enthusiastic to pursue any useful leads but there has been nothing for them to do for months and months.

“Years ago there were problems with the British and Portuguese police but Scotland Yard has smoothed over those issues and there is a good working relationship. The officers in Faro will give priority to requests from Operation Grange.

“They realise the Yard’s investigation is slowing down but they want to make it absolutely clear they will help in any way they can as long as the prosecutor approves any further requests.”

Scotland Yard has declined to comment.

Madeleine McCann would be 13 on Thursday.

She disappeared from a holiday apartment in the Algarve resort town of Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007, nine years ago last week.

Her parents, doctors Kate and Gerry McCann, said prayers for her at their home town of Rothley, Leicestershire, to mark the date.

Surrounded by supportive villagers, Gerry, 47, said: “Even after nine years, and we desperately don’t want another one, we have this incredible support and it means so much to us. It makes us stronger and helps us get through it.”


Read more here:
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/668155/Madeleine-McCann-police-ignored-Detectives-waited-five-months-Scotland-Yard-leads

How can Scotland yard hold an investigation into a missing child without questioning the Parents ? Ludicrous, Both the Police AND the Crown have an OBLIGATION to investigate ALL possible avenues not just those that suit a particular member of parliament at the time.

So SY do have other further lines of enquiry, which they have a duty to investigate !!

Mr Angry of Tunbridge Wells.......

"The last rogatory letter came through at the end of last year and officers gave it their full and prompt attention. Since then it has been very quiet. The detectives in Faro are enthusiastic to pursue any useful leads but there has been nothing for them to do for months and months."

Looks like the new DCI at SY is not prepared to continue the charade that is OG. She will have been told immediately on taking over that there was no abductor. Sensible therefore to shut the farce down and stop wasting everyone's time, reassign everyone to useful duties, and leave a team 3 to tidy up and switch off the lights.

The additional 95k given to them is now simply a nuisance - its only purpose being to keep the public charade going beyond the final decision of the SC.

An interesting article though. Who's got the 'bumbling cops' now...?    

£12m, 29 officers, 4 years - and one sock...  

Bishop Brennan wrote:"The last rogatory letter came through at the end of last year and officers gave it their full and prompt attention. Since then it has been very quiet. The detectives in Faro are enthusiastic to pursue any useful leads but there has been nothing for them to do for months and months."

Looks like the new DCI at SY is not prepared to continue the charade that is OG. She will have been told immediately on taking over that there was no abductor. Sensible therefore to shut the farce down and stop wasting everyone's time, reassign everyone to useful duties, and leave a team 3 to tidy up and switch off the lights.

The additional 95k given to them is now simply a nuisance - its only purpose being to keep the public charade going beyond the final decision of the SC.

An interesting article though. Who's got the 'bumbling cops' now...?    

£12m, 29 officers, 4 years - and one sock...  

New remit: 
Here's 95k to  investigate the other sock as if it had been abducted in Much Muddle-in-the-Mire.

Grande Finale wrote:

PORTUGUESE detectives tasked with helping Scotland Yard solve the Madeleine McCann mystery have spent the past five months waiting for leads to pursue from their British counterparts.

By James Murray, EXCLUSIVE
PUBLISHED:  00:01, Sun, May 8, 2016

A small team of highly experienced officers at Faro on the Algarve want to resume investigations on the case but have been left frustrated by having nothing to do.

Three senior detectives in Faro are poised to act on any Yard requests but have been left virtually twiddling their thumbs for at least five months, so have started doing other work.

When the Metropolitan Police launched Operation Grange in 2011, senior officers spent months rebuilding strained relations with their counterparts in Portugal.

The Yard has to send a so-called rogatory letter requesting Portuguese officers to make inquiries on their behalf.

These requests go to a Portuguese prosecuting official who decides whether they are valid or not.

In the past British detectives have been present in interview rooms in Faro when suspects and witnesses have been interviewed.

A well-placed source in Faro said: “The last rogatory letter came through at the end of last year and officers gave it their full and prompt attention. Since then it has been very quiet. The detectives in Faro are enthusiastic to pursue any useful leads but there has been nothing for them to do for months and months.

“Years ago there were problems with the British and Portuguese police but Scotland Yard has smoothed over those issues and there is a good working relationship. The officers in Faro will give priority to requests from Operation Grange.

“They realise the Yard’s investigation is slowing down but they want to make it absolutely clear they will help in any way they can as long as the prosecutor approves any further requests.”

Scotland Yard has declined to comment.

Madeleine McCann would be 13 on Thursday.

She disappeared from a holiday apartment in the Algarve resort town of Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007, nine years ago last week.

Her parents, doctors Kate and Gerry McCann, said prayers for her at their home town of Rothley, Leicestershire, to mark the date.

Surrounded by supportive villagers, Gerry, 47, said: “Even after nine years, and we desperately don’t want another one, we have this incredible support and it means so much to us. It makes us stronger and helps us get through it.”


Read more here:
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/668155/Madeleine-McCann-police-ignored-Detectives-waited-five-months-Scotland-Yard-leads

How can Scotland yard hold an investigation into a missing child without questioning the Parents ? Ludicrous, Both the Police AND the Crown have an OBLIGATION to investigate ALL possible avenues not just those that suit a particular member of parliament at the time.

So SY do have other further lines of enquiry, which they have a duty to investigate !!

Mr Angry of Tunbridge Wells.......

"THE EXPENSIVE CHARADE CONTINUETH"

Yet more material to put in my next letter to David Cameron about Operation Grange

I think the answer to this exclusive lies in the title..

PORTUGUESE detectives tasked with helping Scotland Yard solve the Madeleine McCann mystery have spent the past five months waiting for leads to pursue from their British counterparts.

I always thought the Portuguese held primacy with this particular investigation - but according to James Murray they have been tasked with helping Scotland Yard?

!!!

@TonyBennett:  Yet more material to put in my next letter to David Cameron about Operation Grange

What - that Operation Grange can't solve the case of a missing child that has so far cost the nation well in excess of 12m, without the aid of the Portuguese force?

That blows any argument that OG was a flop because the Portuguese were not helping out the water.

lj wrote:That blows any argument that OG was a flop because the Portuguese were not helping out the water.

I wonder if this was the intent of the article? And so nicely put, as well. The narrative slant of the piece places the PJ in a subordinate role but the point is clear: SY has been lying about recent investigative activity on the case.


This makes me wonder if the Portuguese have hired their own Clarence Mitchell. If so, 'bout time.

lj wrote:That blows any argument that OG was a flop because the Portuguese were not helping out the water.

Methinks James Murray is getting a trifle confused - either than or it's pay back time.

Must be difficult to spin negative into positive at this stage of the game.  Somehow a positive has got to be applied to the inevitable closure of Operation Grange - as I see it, any angle they try will be open the extensive criticism.  Perhaps the UK media magnets didn't bargain for the end game.

Verdi wrote:
Must be difficult to spin negative into positive at this stage of the game.  Somehow a positive has got to be applied to the inevitable closure of Operation Grange - as I see it, any angle they try will be open the extensive criticism.  Perhaps the UK media magnets didn't bargain for the end game.

I think that the MET and the UK authorities, rather than the UK media, were absolutely banking on Amaral losing the appeal. It's why they've kept this nonsense going for so long. Remember too that at every important point in the original trial and its appeal SY timed a press-release, public appearance, visit or even the dig. This entirely non-coincidental timing, as well as the S&S 'Rewrite of History" book was a coordinated attempt to apply pressure (successfully) to the judge and (unsuccessfully) to the Appeal Court.

They now face a messy and unconvincing close, leaving Amaral vindicated, unless the SC reverses the Appeal. Oh how they must regret starting OG.

Yep, lots of digging and poking around 2 years ago accompanied with EVRD dogs. No body was found so this work effectively eliminates a dead Maddie, according to the OG modus operandi. As you say the S&S book was the next part in the jigsaw but we all saw straight through both events.

The McCann victory in court brought a vindicated couple back into the limelight to look aggrieved on the steps of the court, whilst Clarence spun his yarns that Amaral had been found guilty of libel so this was proof of abduction - with the money coming in oh so useful to continue with the endless searching.

Not great planning but a plan all the same. Good job they hadn't bargained upon Richard D Hall's films proving so popular, Leanne Baulch's fundraising and the determination of those involved with forums such as this to seek the Truth.

Events, dear boy. Events.


I wouldn't be surprised to learn a super inaudible has lapsed. CM might be looking to benefit in the long term. There's  always a canny one waiting to benefit from events.

It's  enough to hack one off.

Tony Bennett wrote:

Grande Finale wrote:

PORTUGUESE detectives tasked with helping Scotland Yard solve the Madeleine McCann mystery have spent the past five months waiting for leads to pursue from their British counterparts.

By James Murray, EXCLUSIVE
PUBLISHED:  00:01, Sun, May 8, 2016

A small team of highly experienced officers at Faro on the Algarve want to resume investigations on the case but have been left frustrated by having nothing to do.

Three senior detectives in Faro are poised to act on any Yard requests but have been left virtually twiddling their thumbs for at least five months, so have started doing other work.

When the Metropolitan Police launched Operation Grange in 2011, senior officers spent months rebuilding strained relations with their counterparts in Portugal.

The Yard has to send a so-called rogatory letter requesting Portuguese officers to make inquiries on their behalf.

These requests go to a Portuguese prosecuting official who decides whether they are valid or not.

In the past British detectives have been present in interview rooms in Faro when suspects and witnesses have been interviewed.

A well-placed source in Faro said: “The last rogatory letter came through at the end of last year and officers gave it their full and prompt attention. Since then it has been very quiet. The detectives in Faro are enthusiastic to pursue any useful leads but there has been nothing for them to do for months and months.

“Years ago there were problems with the British and Portuguese police but Scotland Yard has smoothed over those issues and there is a good working relationship. The officers in Faro will give priority to requests from Operation Grange.

“They realise the Yard’s investigation is slowing down but they want to make it absolutely clear they will help in any way they can as long as the prosecutor approves any further requests.”

Scotland Yard has declined to comment.

Madeleine McCann would be 13 on Thursday.

She disappeared from a holiday apartment in the Algarve resort town of Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007, nine years ago last week.

Her parents, doctors Kate and Gerry McCann, said prayers for her at their home town of Rothley, Leicestershire, to mark the date.

Surrounded by supportive villagers, Gerry, 47, said: “Even after nine years, and we desperately don’t want another one, we have this incredible support and it means so much to us. It makes us stronger and helps us get through it.”


Read more here:
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/668155/Madeleine-McCann-police-ignored-Detectives-waited-five-months-Scotland-Yard-leads

How can Scotland yard hold an investigation into a missing child without questioning the Parents ? Ludicrous, Both the Police AND the Crown have an OBLIGATION to investigate ALL possible avenues not just those that suit a particular member of parliament at the time.

So SY do have other further lines of enquiry, which they have a duty to investigate !!

Mr Angry of Tunbridge Wells.......

"THE EXPENSIVE CHARADE CONTINUETH"

Yet more material to put in my next letter to David Cameron about Operation Grang

Daft question Tony, but have you ever had a reply from the PM or his office? I have tried e mailing a few cabinet members without a reply.

Bishop Brennan wrote:

Verdi wrote:
Must be difficult to spin negative into positive at this stage of the game.  Somehow a positive has got to be applied to the inevitable closure of Operation Grange - as I see it, any angle they try will be open the extensive criticism.  Perhaps the UK media magnets didn't bargain for the end game.

I think that the MET and the UK authorities, rather than the UK media, were absolutely banking on Amaral losing the appeal.  It's why they've kept this nonsense going for so long.  Remember too that at every important point in the original trial and its appeal SY timed a press-release, public appearance, visit or even the dig.  This entirely non-coincidental timing, as well as the S&S 'Rewrite of History" book was a coordinated attempt to apply pressure (successfully) to the judge and (unsuccessfully) to the Appeal Court.

They now face a messy and unconvincing close, leaving Amaral vindicated, unless the SC reverses the Appeal.   Oh how they must regret starting OG.  

I still can't agree that the legal proceedings in Portugal initiated by the McCanns against Mr Amaral, have any direct bearing on any investigation into Madeleine McCann's disappearance.  I know I'm in a minority when playing down Mr. Amaral's achievement through the appeal courts but do you really believe the decision of a Portuguese court of law would be influenced by a novel written by a couple of non-entitities, a few UK tabloid articles and a highly publicized farce produced by Operation Grange digging around the locale for a dirty old sock?

The well timed release of all these tricks of the trade, in my opinion, were designed to divert public attention away from  Lisbon court proceedings.  Not in an attempt to influence the Lisbon court but to smother otherwise unwanted attention in the direction of Goncalo Amaral.

I doubt very much if the McCanns will take this any further.  They must realise by now they are on a loser - they could end up losing everything as they tried so hard to do to Mr. Amaral.  Some feeble excuse like continuation will harm the search, or cause more distress to the twins is on the cards I think.

Verdi wrote:
The well timed release of all these tricks of the trade, in my opinion, were designed to divert public attention away from  Lisbon court proceedings.  Not in an attempt to influence the Lisbon court but to smother otherwise unwanted attention in the direction of Goncalo Amaral.

I doubt very much if the McCanns will take this any further.  They must realise by now they are on a loser - they could end up losing everything as they tried so hard to do to Mr. Amaral.  Some feeble excuse like continuation will harm the search, or cause more distress to the twins is on the cards I think.

On the first point, you may very well be right. I'm suspicious because so many of the 'coincidental' events were SY appearances, trips or leaks (not just PR stories). Perhaps by then SY had a similar goal - to keep the spotlight from falling on Amaral and the fact that his theory was not even being considered by the UK team.

On the second, I'm placing my bet on them continuing. Your logic is solid, but I think it gets trumped by Gerry's narcissism. A personality like that will never admit defeat and will risk financial or emotional ruin if there a chance of 'winning'. They are looking at a massive legal + costs bill right now, so a small amount extra to prepare and lodge the appeal is small change really - and he will still be convinced that he is right and that they should win. He's got to get the appeal in by 1st June, so we should know soon enough.

Grande Finale wrote:

PORTUGUESE detectives tasked with helping Scotland Yard solve the Madeleine McCann mystery have spent the past five months waiting for leads to pursue from their British counterparts.

By James Murray, EXCLUSIVE
PUBLISHED:  00:01, Sun, May 8, 2016


A small team of highly experienced officers at Faro on the Algarve want to resume investigations on the case but have been left frustrated by having nothing to do.

Three senior detectives in Faro are poised to act on any Yard requests but have been left virtually twiddling their thumbs for at least five months, so have started doing other work.

When the Metropolitan Police launched Operation Grange in 2011, senior officers spent months rebuilding strained relations with their counterparts in Portugal.

The Yard has to send a so-called rogatory letter requesting Portuguese officers to make inquiries on their behalf.

These requests go to a Portuguese prosecuting official who decides whether they are valid or not.

In the past British detectives have been present in interview rooms in Faro when suspects and witnesses have been interviewed.

A well-placed source in Faro said: “The last rogatory letter came through at the end of last year and officers gave it their full and prompt attention. Since then it has been very quiet. The detectives in Faro are enthusiastic to pursue any useful leads but there has been nothing for them to do for months and months.

“Years ago there were problems with the British and Portuguese police but Scotland Yard has smoothed over those issues and there is a good working relationship. The officers in Faro will give priority to requests from Operation Grange.

“They realise the Yard’s investigation is slowing down but they want to make it absolutely clear they will help in any way they can as long as the prosecutor approves any further requests.”

Scotland Yard has declined to comment.

Madeleine McCann would be 13 on Thursday.

She disappeared from a holiday apartment in the Algarve resort town of Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007, nine years ago last week.

Her parents, doctors Kate and Gerry McCann, said prayers for her at their home town of Rothley, Leicestershire, to mark the date.

Surrounded by supportive villagers, Gerry, 47, said: “Even after nine years, and we desperately don’t want another one, we have this incredible support and it means so much to us. It makes us stronger and helps us get through it.”


Read more here:
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/668155/Madeleine-McCann-police-ignored-Detectives-waited-five-months-Scotland-Yard-leads

How can Scotland yard hold an investigation into a missing child without questioning the Parents ? Ludicrous, Both the Police AND the Crown have an OBLIGATION to investigate ALL possible avenues not just those that suit a particular member of parliament at the time.

So SY do have other further lines of enquiry, which they have a duty to investigate !!

Mr Angry of Tunbridge Wells.......

"We've been waiting for leads from Scotland Yard for months now" said a Portuguese police spokesman "we're unable to control these spaniel dogs in apartment 5A. They've been running excitedly all over the place and barking like crazy in a number of very strange locations."

  I nominate that as post of the day (by Rogue a Tory) - made me laugh anyway

Bishop Brennan wrote:

Verdi wrote:
The well timed release of all these tricks of the trade, in my opinion, were designed to divert public attention away from  Lisbon court proceedings.  Not in an attempt to influence the Lisbon court but to smother otherwise unwanted attention in the direction of Goncalo Amaral.

I doubt very much if the McCanns will take this any further.  They must realise by now they are on a loser - they could end up losing everything as they tried so hard to do to Mr. Amaral.  Some feeble excuse like continuation will harm the search, or cause more distress to the twins is on the cards I think.

On the first point, you may very well be right.  I'm suspicious because so many of the 'coincidental' events were SY appearances, trips or leaks (not just PR stories).  Perhaps by then SY had a similar goal - to keep the spotlight from falling on Amaral and the fact that his theory was not even being considered by the UK team.  

On the second, I'm placing my bet on them continuing.  Your logic is solid, but I think it gets trumped by Gerry's narcissism.  A personality like that will never admit defeat and will risk financial or emotional ruin if there a chance of 'winning'.   They are looking at a massive legal + costs bill right now, so a small amount extra to prepare and lodge the appeal is small change really - and he will still be convinced that he is right and that they should win.  He's got to get the appeal in by 1st June, so we should know soon enough.

As you know, Goncalo Amaral's theory, for the want of a better word, was the conclusion reached by the joint  effort of the PJ team and maybe or maybe not the UK force initially involved in the investigation at the Portuguese end.  Dr. Amaral's book The Truth of the Lie is a resume of the PJ's investigation - files of which were made public in July/August 2008, around the same time as Dr. Amaral's book was published.  As far as I'm aware, sure someone correct me if I'm wrong, the McCanns legal action was not about the content of Dr. Amaral's book per se but the alleged damage the script had on their personal reputations and damage to 'their search' for Madeleine.  Bit of a contradiction in terms when you consider how they themselves damaged the search for Madeleine by failing to cooperate with the PJ.

All the negative coverage of all things Amaral I believe to emanate from the McCanns defence union - that could of course include Operation Grange, depends how one views their input.  Whatever, anyone who takes an ongoing interest in this case will be aware of the general tenor of the PJ files and the consequent repercussions thanks to Dr. Amaral's book.  In short, Operation Grange can't fool anyone with any knowledge of the case because they already know full well that they are ignoring the most important evidence/intelligence that resulted in the McCanns arguido status.

I meant to make sarcastic reference to the floating 750K that is apparently being reserved to continue the search when Operation Grange is wound-up.  Perhaps it's in reserve to continue the legal process against Dr. Amaral!  If you are right and Gerry McCann's narcissistic character gets the better of him then I think they are in for a shock - I don't think they've a cat in hell's chance of winning.  In a perverse sort of way, I hope you are right - if nothing else it might teach them a lesson and maybe give them a dose of their own medicine.

Verdi wrote:
...
anyone who takes an ongoing interest in this case will be aware of the general tenor of the PJ files and the consequent repercussions thanks to Dr. Amaral's book.  In short, Operation Grange can't fool anyone with any knowledge of the case because they already know full well that they are ignoring the most important evidence/intelligence that resulted in the McCanns arguido status.

Well-timed press-releases, interviews, visits and digs were not designed to fool those with some knowledge (a small group on forums), but rather to misdirect the  majority of the UK public whose information is taken only from the tabloid front-pages.

In the end, SY has to try and protect its reputation. They have spent £12m, 4 years, and 29 officers ruling out every possible abductor and have not even looked at the McCanns.  Right from Crimewatch onwards, they have tried to persuade the public that they are doing sensible police work - and that by implication Amaral was wrong.

Indeed the MET continues even now to try and save face (and as a result help the McCanns). Just before the announcement of Amaral's resounding victory in the Appeal, SY had two of their most senior detectives make very public announcements - neither of which contained any new information; both were unnecessary.  One in particular guaranteed good tabloid coverage - the possibility of "finding Madeleine alive".  As planned, these statements received far more coverage than the Appeal decision the very next day. Classic SY misdirection from a team that had clearly been tipped off about the result and timing of the Appeal result.

I've always said that Gerry will never, ever let this drop while there are people out there who Don't Believe.  His real problem is that he is so up himself, he can't even see that his self appointed task is completely impossible.

Rocky A. will not let this drop.   I can'ts say I blame him after all he has been through.

There is always someone who will stand their ground and fight and Rocky A. has and is doing just that.

As far as Tony is now allowed, he is fighting too.

Bishop Brennan wrote:

Right from Crimewatch onwards, they have tried to persuade the public that they are doing sensible police work - and that by implication Amaral was wrong.

Maybe that has been the sole purpose of OG.

Their public utterances and leaks were always timed with events in the court case.

Anyway... they failed.

But it is quite a complimentary about the PJ  and pointing the finger at OG  that never would have been printed before.. please let the tables be turning finally.

So Sir Bernard Hogan Howe as part of his press release,stating that the Portugal PJ were dragging their heels to release new "Arquido"status on the suspects in Madeleine's disappearance,has been taken out of context then,after Officers from the Portugal PJ had confirmed that,Scotland Yards finest hadn't even bothered to contact them over the past "five months",not been telling "Porkies" have you, eh Sir Bernard?

@Bishop Brennan wrote:  Well-timed press-releases, interviews, visits and digs were not designed to fool those with some knowledge (a small group on forums), but rather to misdirect the  majority of the UK public whose information is taken only from the tabloid front-pages.

I don't doubt for a moment that the intention was to divert attention away from positive news from Portugal but apart from those who get their kicks from seedy tabloid headlines, I believe the general public are thoroughly sick to death of the name McCann and the sight of their fixed expressions of disdain and woe.  If anything, I think this bogus reporting has worked in Dr. Amaral's favour. 

Goncalo Amaral was never graced with positive press coverage in the UK, it was either something derogatory or no mention at all so the general public wouldn't be aware of anything going on in Portugal concerning his legal battle (unless the McCanns were ahead) - unless they follow the case on social networking.

A very expensive charade, almost immature by it's execution in my opinion - with little or no positive consequence.