It was a British diplomat who first said that McCanns should be investigated.
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It was a British diplomat who first said that McCanns should be investigated.
by sharonl 23.03.21 23:37
British diplomat warned Foreign Office of concerns over McCanns
Last updated at 10:18 03 December 2007The Foreign Office was alerted to fears over Gerry and Kate McCann by a British diplomat in Portugal just days after their daughter Madeleine went missing.
The diplomat was sent to the holiday resort of Praia da Luz in the days following the four-year-old's disappearance and soon became concerned over "inconsistencies" in the testimonies by her parents and their friends.
After visiting the McCanns, the unnamed diplomat sent a report to the Foreign Office in London, admitting his worries about "confused declarations" of the McCanns' movements on the night of May 3.
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He also noted the couple's "lack of co-operation" with the Portuguese police.
The diplomat's concerns were made over four months before Gerry and Kate were named arguidos (suspects) on September 7.
Contents of the letter were leaked to Belgian newspaper La Dernière Heure over the weekend.
The diplomat expressed his fears after receiving instruction from the Foreign Office to provide "all possible assistance to the McCann couple".
The French-language paper printed excerpts of the letter, quoting the diplomat as saying: "With the greatest respect, I would like to make you aware of the risks and implications to our relationship with the Portuguese authorities, if you consider the possible involvement of the couple.
"Please confirm to me, in the light of these concerns, that we want to continue to be closely involved in the case as was requested in your previous message."
Although the Government was quick to assist the McCanns in the days following Madeleine's disappearance, direct contact with the couple ceased when they were named as suspects.
La Dernière Heure pointed out that a majority of the diplomats originally involved in the case have now been taken off it.
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The then-Prime Minister Tony Blair sent special envoy Sheree Dodd to act as a "media liaison officer" for the pair soon after Madeleine vanished.
Ms Dodd has since resigned from the Foreign Office, while the British consul in the Algarve, Bill Henderson, has retired.
John Buck, the British ambassador in Portugal, no longer works in the country.
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Re: It was a British diplomat who first said that McCanns should be investigated.
by Verdi 24.03.21 1:02
It would be very interesting to know who the anonymous diplomat was before speculating further.
As I said a very long time ago, the retirement of the British ambassador to Portugal - John Buck, should not be seen as suspicious in any way. It's quite normal for the contract of a foreign diplomat, an ambassador, to expire within a given term - four years if I remember rightly. I looked into Buck at the time and his contract was due to expire.
What is extraordinary however, is why a British ambassador made a physical appearance at the scene of the crime of a missing three year old child. This is not normal protocol, that's why consulates are there - to assist British subjects, whatever the dilemma.
The unprecedented personal involvement has been passed off before as the gravity of the situation, a child abduction! No matter how tragic, that carries no weight with the remit of an ambassador. I've known many situations of crimes involving British citizens abroad - including one instance of deportation, but not one had the personal attention of an ambassador, only the local consulate. That is not the function of an ambassador.
Living cheek by jowl with such government representatives at some time, I've known only two occasions when an ambassador made an appearance, once a friendly visit to the region (HMS Pinafore was in dock) and the other an international situation that caused concern for British residents and holidaymakers alike. Even then it was only a 'gathering' to reassure - at least that appeared to be the general gist.
As I said a very long time ago, the retirement of the British ambassador to Portugal - John Buck, should not be seen as suspicious in any way. It's quite normal for the contract of a foreign diplomat, an ambassador, to expire within a given term - four years if I remember rightly. I looked into Buck at the time and his contract was due to expire.
What is extraordinary however, is why a British ambassador made a physical appearance at the scene of the crime of a missing three year old child. This is not normal protocol, that's why consulates are there - to assist British subjects, whatever the dilemma.
The unprecedented personal involvement has been passed off before as the gravity of the situation, a child abduction! No matter how tragic, that carries no weight with the remit of an ambassador. I've known many situations of crimes involving British citizens abroad - including one instance of deportation, but not one had the personal attention of an ambassador, only the local consulate. That is not the function of an ambassador.
Living cheek by jowl with such government representatives at some time, I've known only two occasions when an ambassador made an appearance, once a friendly visit to the region (HMS Pinafore was in dock) and the other an international situation that caused concern for British residents and holidaymakers alike. Even then it was only a 'gathering' to reassure - at least that appeared to be the general gist.
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Re: It was a British diplomat who first said that McCanns should be investigated.
by crusader 24.03.21 12:39
Craig Murray had this to say in the Algarve Daily news and Mark Saunokonoko reported the same.
John Buck, Murray’s direct boss in the FCO when he was head of Cyprus Section, was the British ambassador in Portugal when Madeleine went missing in May, 2007.
“He and his staff were concerned by contradictions in the McCann’s story”, Murray continues. “The Embassy warned, in writing, that being perceived as too close to the McCanns might not prove wise. They demanded the instruction from London be reconfirmed. It was.”
Murray’s post does not dwell on the reasons for this “far beyond usual” support, but he concedes “that it might have put some psychological pressure on the Portuguese investigators and prosecuting officers in their determinations”.
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Re: It was a British diplomat who first said that McCanns should be investigated.
by Verdi 24.03.21 14:52
Problem is, so much of this emanates from media reports. Until such times as there is hard copy evidence of this allegation, I take it all with a Siberian salt mine.
Not forgetting that later in the proceedings, along came a whistlblower with connections in the US of A, with stories of a similar nature.
Forgive me, I've forgotten most of the detail.
Not forgetting that later in the proceedings, along came a whistlblower with connections in the US of A, with stories of a similar nature.
Forgive me, I've forgotten most of the detail.
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Re: It was a British diplomat who first said that McCanns should be investigated.
by Verdi 24.03.21 15:09
Aha! A quick delve and it's all coming back to me..
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The information,you posted above crusader, as you probably know, comes from a blogger that goes by the name of 'himself' - Teddy Shepherd..
It's this bit I don't like..
The diplomatic corp are sworn to secrecy, although I guess there will always be a bad-boy waiting in the wings to spout things s/he didn't oughta.
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The information,you posted above crusader, as you probably know, comes from a blogger that goes by the name of 'himself' - Teddy Shepherd..
The British Ambassador in Portugal, John Buck, had been my direct boss in the FCO. he was Deputy Head of Southern European Department when I was Head of Cyprus Section. He and his staff were concerned by contradictions in the McCann’s story. The Embassy warned, in writing, that being perceived as too close to the McCanns might not prove wise. They demanded the instruction from London be reconfirmed. It was.
I know of people’s misgivings because I was told directly. But material was also leaked (Joana Morais) to a Belgian newspaper confirming what I have said. It was published by the Express, but like so much other material which is not supportive of the McCanns, it got taken down. Fortunately that last link preserved it. It also shows that the FCO continues to refuse Freedom of Information requests for the material on the interesting grounds that it might damage relations with Portugal.
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It's this bit I don't like..
I know of people’s misgivings because I was told directly. But material was also leaked (Joana Morais) to a Belgian newspaper confirming what I have said. It was published by the Express
The diplomatic corp are sworn to secrecy, although I guess there will always be a bad-boy waiting in the wings to spout things s/he didn't oughta.
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Re: It was a British diplomat who first said that McCanns should be investigated.
by crusader 24.03.21 15:20
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] wrote..The information,you posted above crusader, as you probably know, comes from a blogger that goes by the name of 'himself' - Teddy Shepherd..
I didn't know that, I got it from Craig Murry's website.
When I put Craig Murray's name in the search on this site later, I discovered there was already a page on the subject .
I didn't know that, I got it from Craig Murry's website.
When I put Craig Murray's name in the search on this site later, I discovered there was already a page on the subject .
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