Scotland Yard brought in to find Madeleine McCann

Scotland Yard brought in to find Madeleine McCann


Scotland Yard has been drafted in to help find Madeleine McCann, four years after she disappeared.


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By [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], Tom Whitehead, Mark Hughes and Caroline Gammell10:24PM BST 12 May 2011

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Officials in Portugal are understood to have granted permission for the Metropolitan Police to review their files for the first time.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]’s parents Kate, 43, and Gerry, 42, have renewed interest in their case this week with the release of a book on the topic and a series of related interviews.


On Thursday, on the occasion of her eighth birthday, they accused David Cameron, the Prime Minister, of lacking sufficient commitment to children.

Last night, a statement was issued saying Scotland Yard would “bring their expertise” to the search, after discussions between Mr Cameron; the Home Secretary, Theresa May; and Sir Paul Stephenson, the head of the Met.


However, few concrete details were available as to what form any Scotland Yard investigation might take.

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It is understood it will fall to a team under the control of Commander Simon Foy, one of the Met’s most senior officers and its head of homicide and serious crime.

His team has not been formed nor a budget set, sources said, but it is likely that officers will fly to Portugal for the investigation.
Madeleine, who lived with her parents in Rothley, Leicestershire, went missing from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve in 2007.
The official Portuguese inquiry into Madeleine’s disappearance was formally suspended in July 2008, although private detectives employed by the McCanns continued the search.

Mr Cameron personally wrote to the McCanns to confirm the reopening of the investigation.
He described their ordeal as "every parent's worst nightmare and my heart goes out to you both".
He added: "I simply cannot imagine the pain you must have experienced over these four agonising years and the strength and determination you have both shown throughout is remarkable.

"I am acutely aware of the frustration you must feel as more time goes by and yet no news is forthcoming. That you have been so courageous over all this time and have not given up speaks volumes."

It is understood a lot of work has been going on behind the scenes between the British and Portuguese authorities but agreement was only reached in the last few days.

Portuguese police have repeatedly declined the Met’s offers of assistance in the past.
This will be the first official involvement of the Met although senior officers are thought to have advised Leicestershire Police, who have liaised with their Portuguese counterparts.

The development means Scotland Yard detectives will now have access to the files and documents allowing them to go through them in fine detail.
However, the Portuguese police will continue to be in charge of the case.
The McCanns welcomed the announcement and thanked Mr Cameron and Ms May for committing “such a significant resource” to “begin this review process”.

However, it does not yet represent the "independent, transparent and comprehensive review" which the couple had demanded from the Prime Minister.
A spokesman for the couple said: “It’s clearly a step in the right direction. The expertise of the Metropolitan police service is renowned and we are reassured by the Government’s commitment to the search for Madeleine.”

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: "We can confirm that the Metropolitan Police Service has agreed, at the request of the Home Secretary, to bring its particular expertise to the Madeleine McCann case.

"The Portuguese authorities retain the lead and we are not prepared to discuss it further at this time."

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This is great news!

What if they conclude Madeleine died in the apartment and her parent's concealed her body?

Or is the Met Police being brought in to whitewash the case and shelve it forever and set the McC's free to spend their public donations?

This is my first comment on this forum and whilst I welcome Scotland Yard 'reviewing the case, I share ufercoffy's view that it could well be an attempt to shelve the case once and for all.

thats my view too,but lets hope the met do thier job right and leave no stone unturned

stephen25000 wrote:This is my first comment on this forum and whilst I welcome Scotland Yard 'reviewing the case, I share ufercoffy's view that it could well be an attempt to shelve the case once and for all.

Hi stephen and welcome!

David Kelly.

Princess Diana.



Clarence Mitchell was involved with them, too.

BUT, Theresa May said something about she "hopes it will bring a new perspective to the investigation".

Which could mean that the spotlight might fall directly back on the McCann's and their friends.

Have we had confirmation yet from the Portuguese that they will be allowing the Yard access to all of the files?

ufercoffy wrote:

stephen25000 wrote:This is my first comment on this forum and whilst I welcome Scotland Yard 'reviewing the case, I share ufercoffy's view that it could well be an attempt to shelve the case once and for all.

Hi stephen and welcome!

David Kelly.

Princess Diana.

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Clarence Mitchell was involved with them, too.

Thank you uffercoffy for your welcome.


Ah yes Clarence Mitchell.

I watched him in action yet again on Sky with that pair, orchestrating behind the scenes.

Truly a nasty piece of work.

tiny wrote:thats my view too,but lets hope the met do thier job right and leave no stone unturned

I would feel very pesimistic if Gamble and co were still on the scene. If the Portuguese are the lead on the case and a Scotland Yard homicide team are involved perhaps they can establish just who, if not Madeleine, died in the apartment.

Hopefully we can submit some evidence via Scotland Yard, e.g fund fraud, sham company etc

However, it does not yet represent the "independent, transparent and comprehensive review" which the couple had demanded from the Prime Minister.

stephen25000 wrote:This is my first comment on this forum and whilst I welcome Scotland Yard 'reviewing the case, I share ufercoffy's view that it could well be an attempt to shelve the case once and for all.

welcome stephen25000

candyfloss wrote:

stephen25000 wrote:This is my first comment on this forum and whilst I welcome Scotland Yard 'reviewing the case, I share ufercoffy's view that it could well be an attempt to shelve the case once and for all.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] welcome stephen25000

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Thank you Candyfloss for your welcome.


I look forward to making contributions on this forum.

stephen25000 wrote:

candyfloss wrote:

stephen25000 wrote:This is my first comment on this forum and whilst I welcome Scotland Yard 'reviewing the case, I share ufercoffy's view that it could well be an attempt to shelve the case once and for all.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] welcome stephen25000

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Thank you Candyfloss for your welcome.


I look forward to making contributions on this forum.