E mail to the Home Secretary regarding Operation Grange and the Madeleine McCann case.

Reference: T1674/18                                                                                     6 March 2018
                


Dear Mr Coxon, 


Thank you for your e-mail of 17 February to the Home Secretary regarding Operation Grange, the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.  Your e-mail has been passed to the Home Office’s Direct Communications Unit and I have been asked to reply.


The Government takes all cases of missing children very seriously.  Although most of these cases may not be in the public eye, unresolved missing children cases are never closed and they remain the responsibility of individual police forces until the child is found.  The circumstances of each case will vary and it is for individual forces to make an operational assessment on how they pursue it. 


The Government believes it is right that it does all it can to support the search for Madeleine McCann.  That is why the former Home Secretary asked the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to undertake a review of the case in May 2011.  The Commissioner considered the request and on balance took the operational decision to bring its particular expertise to the case.


The investigation being undertaken by the Metropolitan Police Service is taking place under powers in Section 26 of the Police Act (1996) – Provision of advice and assistance to international organisations, etc.  This can be viewed in full via the following link: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/16/section/26.


As a result, the subsequent costs of the investigation into her disappearance (Operation Grange) are being met through police Special Grant funding, the purpose of which is to meet additional costs that would be incurred from policing unexpected and exceptional events within a force’s area.


As with all Special Grant applications, the resources required are reviewed regularly and careful consideration is given before any funding is allocated.  Furthermore, the MPS keeps the Home Office informed of the progress of the investigation through regular updates which include an assessment of the need for continued funding which is linked to whether there remain continued lines of investigation to pursue.


In the interests of transparency, the process and criteria associated with special grant applications is published, and can be found at the following link: 
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/police-funding-special-grant-guidance/special-grant-guidance.  


I can clarify that, in general, the purpose of an investigation will have no bearing on Ministerial decisions as to whether to approve a Special Grant application or not. 


The resources required are reviewed regularly with careful consideration given before any new funding is allocated.


We appreciate the time it has taken for you to write on these matters and would like to thank you for expressing your thoughts.  Your comments have been noted.


Yours sincerely,


Stephen Gearing


Email: Public.Enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Are the government and Operation Grange really so blinkered and naïve that they cannot see through this scam? Or do they just think that the public are completely stupid?