MADELEINE MCCANN FILE KEPT SECRET - Sunday July 1 2012

MADELEINE MCCANN FILE KEPT SECRET

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Madeleine McCann



Sunday July 1,2012


By James Murray



THE Home Office is refusing to release secret files on the Madeleine McCann case to avoid diplomatic ructions with Portugal.

The documents are believed to record discussions with the Metropolitan Police about sensitive details of the baffling case.

Rejecting attempts by a newspaper to see the files, the Home Office said there would be “specific detriment to the UK’s relationship with Portugal” if they were released.

It also claimed disclosure of three of the documents would “stifle discussion” between officials.

A Met review of the case was ordered last year after pressure from the Home Office and David Cameron.

Sources said there were “serious concerns” within the Met that they were investigating a “foreign” case over which they had no jurisdiction.

Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry McCann, of Rothley, Leicestershire, are convinced she is still alive. She was taken in May 2007 from a holiday apartment on the Algarve.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Sources said there were “serious concerns” within the Met that they were investigating a “foreign” case over which they had no jurisdiction [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

This case gets curiouser and curiouser. James Murray begins the article by saying 'The Home Office is refusing to release secret files.................. etc' Does this mean, it this information comes directly from the 'Home Office'? Further down, 'rejecting attempts by a newspaper to see the files, the Home Office said.......' Presumably 'a newspaper' - would be the Express?

I think most familiar with this case have over time, become quite adept at interpreting spin. As indeed, I think many of us are even becoming quite expert in forensic linguistics. I always wonder if the Express may have harboured a grudge - after all their headlines were no more lurid than those of any other tabloid at the time.

Alternatively, are we being prepared for the case to be 'shut down' completely? Perhaps we are being given a clue that the findings of SY will never be made public? The reason being diplomatic relations between the two countries are more important than two doctors and a missing child? I cannot help but link this item with Steel Magnolia's news today. If so, it doesn't bode well for GA and Tony.

Even at this stage, we can see that the police forces of Britain and Portugal are heading towards different conclusions on the case. SY, publicly at least, have stated they are looking at 'stranger abduction'. The Portuguese police are still refusing to re-open the investigation. Basically in this dire economic climate, they are not going to waste any further resources chasing multiple sightings throughout the globe. Politically it would anger their own people to see another huge chunk of their taxes spent on a foreign child, and their own police ridiculed. Public opinion matters, particularly in a society that has so recently been through its own political upheavals.

Our own government I am sure, would probably like nothing more than to sweep this matter under the carpet, or suck it up with a vax. Like them, or hate them, the Mccanns are media superstars. If I were still teaching media, I would describe the Madeleine campaign as the Sale of the Century. They have hardly put a foot wrong, they have pre-empted news, distorted news, and even, changed the news. That is no mean feat. From the first iconic picture of the cherubic Missing Madeleine in her Christmas red dress, they tugged on every heart string. In the middle of a Catholic Country, they re-found their faith and a photographic path to the nearest Church....... the rest is history.

So strong is their level of support throughout the English speaking world, there would be riots in the streets if their own government turned against them. Or so we are led to believe. Whatever, the whole situation is a diplomatic nightmare. At some point, both police forces will have to reach their conclusions, and what are the options?

1. Stranger Abduction

If SY reach this conclusion, it exonerates the parents and their friends. However, the theorists will not go away, and it could have knock on consequences to our future relationship with Portugal.

If the Porto (?) reach this conclusion, it is unlikely to be accepted. I get the impression that the majority of the Portuguese people support the findings of GA and the PJ, it has now become an issue of nationality. They have seen one of their own small resorts decimated by the whole affair, and it will directly affect the ballot box. For most, the business is over, and they would resent more of their taxes being spent on one missing foreign child.

For SY and Porto there will be accusations of a cover up and it will commit Britain and the UK to following up leads ad infinitum, as the twins plan to continue the search when they grow up. Economically, not a good result for either country.

2. Child died in the apartment and parents involved.

Exonerates many, and could give a much needed boost to the economy of the Algarve. There will always be people who will not believe the findings of either police force. Pro's will become Anti's and vice versa, and 'Free the Tapas (?)' will be talking point tapestries on the dining room walls of the believers, ready to be mounted on a pole should the need arise.

However, that finding opens up doors to our innermost nightmares. The awareness that such behaviour can, and does go on. Acknowledging it, makes it a bit too real. Some people don't like that.

A lot of red faces among the glitterati for sure and widespread eating of hats. But the harsh reality would be, the tearing away of two doting parents of two adorable children from their loving families. Two parents who have lived impeccable lives from the moment they found her gone. All documented and caught on camera. Among the first experts they employed were extradition lawyers, they were in it for the long haul and thus was born a fighting fund. Clever people always make contingency plans, its why they have bigger cars and separates them from the rest of us. Could you imagine the scenes of two doting,British, middle class doctors being dragged away from their two perfect kids, by uniformed police and a couple of social workers?

Same story from the Daily Star, the bit I have highlighted in red is interesting...........


MADELEINE MCCANN: KEY FILES INTO PROBE KEPT TOP SECRET TO AVOID PORTUGAL ROW




ABOVE: The Home Office is refusing to give key documents relating to the Madeleine McCann case to the Daily

But Home Secretary Theresa May and her staff have spent the past nine months preventing the Daily Star Sunday from obtaining the papers


1st July 2012


By Jonathan Corke


CRUCIAL files relating to Madeleine McCann’s disappearance are being kept secret by the Government to avoid a diplomatic war with Portugal.

They contain discussions between Home Office ­officials and the Met over ­vital information on the case.

But Home Secretary Theresa May and her staff have spent the past nine months preventing the Daily Star Sunday from obtaining the papers.


They said there would be “specific detriment to the UK’s relationship with Portugal” if the four files were released.

Ms May also claimed disclosure of three of the documents would “stifle discussion” ­between ­officials.

But we understand the papers may show a difference of opinion between the Home Office and Met officers, who are reviewing the files on Madeleine’s 2007 disappearance in Praia da Luz.

The Met review was ordered last year after pressure from the Home Office and David Cameron.


Sources said there were “serious concerns” within the Met that they were investigating a “foreign” case over which they had no jurisdiction.

Although the £2million-a-year bill for the Scotland Yard team is being met by the Home Office, around 27 detectives are being used.


Labour peer Lord Harris, 58, said: “My reservation was the way in which the Prime Minister ­instructed the Metropolitan police to investigate the McCann case – which is difficult in that it’s not in the Met’s ­jurisdiction – in a different country and everything ­depends on the co-operation of the ­Portuguese ­authorities.”

Our first request for the documents was made last September but the Home ­Office turned us down.

We appealed but again the Home Office decided ­secrecy was more important.

Last week, after more than five months’ deliberation, the Information ­Commissioner ruled in the Home Office’s favour but ­informed us we can now ­appeal to an Information Tribunal.

Its response said: “The documents contained ­information provided to the UK in ­confidence by ­Portuguese officials and ­internal discussions ­between the Home Office and the ­Metropolitan Police ­Service of such ­information.”

Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry McCann, of Rothley, Leicestershire, are convinced she is still alive.

Their spokesman Clarence Mitchell said the couple remained optimistic of a breakthrough.


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[/b]

Now this is a very interesting piece of information...

[quote]

But we understand the papers may show a difference of opinion between the Home Office and Met officers, who are reviewing the files on Madeleine’s 2007 disappearance in Praia da Luz.

[quote="candyfloss"]Now this is a very interesting piece of information...

But we understand the papers may show a difference of opinion between the Home Office and Met officers, who are reviewing the files on Madeleine’s 2007 disappearance in Praia da Luz.

I think this answers your question Cristobell, no wonder they don't want them released.

[quote="candyfloss"]

candyfloss wrote:Now this is a very interesting piece of information...

But we understand the papers may show a difference of opinion between the Home Office and Met officers, who are reviewing the files on Madeleine’s 2007 disappearance in Praia da Luz.

I think this answers your question Cristobell, no wonder they don't want them released.

So what is the difference of opinion one has to ask, most interesting piece of information we have been given here. But we want facts not opinions so one assumes that SY opinions are based on facts.

[quote="candyfloss"]

candyfloss wrote:Now this is a very interesting piece of information...

But we understand the papers may show a difference of opinion between the Home Office and Met officers, who are reviewing the files on Madeleine’s 2007 disappearance in Praia da Luz.

I think this answers your question Cristobell, no wonder they don't want them released.

I was confused there Candyfloss, trying to discover who believed what. I suppose the Home Office had closed the file. That is they had put it away and washed their hands of it. However, with a change of government, I suppose DC was not going to let down his core voters.and gave the Mccanns their review. I sometimes wonder if that was a case of 'be care of what you wish for?'

The Home Office is political whereas SY is not so the 'difference of opinion' could be the merits in charging the Mccanns based on the evidence. Cameron may see no point in alienating a group of core Tory voters by being seen to put the Mccanns on trial. The next general election could be a very close run thing now that the economy has not recovered the way the Tories hoped it would. It could be bad politics to support a trial which the Crown Prosecution Service may have advised has no prospect of success without either a body or one of the T9 changing their story.

Although James Murray is usually pro McCann (whether tongue in cheek or not), Richard Desmond surely is not so its a bit difficult to understand what they`re up to.

As far as I gather, Teresa May at the Home Office wasn`t keen on the McCanns having a review but at the Leveson Inquiry she said she did not feel pressurised by Rebekah Brooks (which no one believed). So Rebekah Brooks went straight to Cameron who appeased his little socialite friend. The Home Office didn`t want a review and, as someone said, had their files archived. It seems the Home Office want to guard diplomatic relations between the two countries more than anything and Teresa May must have thought Cameron had really put the cat amongst the pigeons as far as diplomatic relations were concerned - thanks very much Dave.

So James Murray now believes there are 3 documents which the Home Office don`t want released (does he mean released to SY?) as it could cause diplomatic ructions between the two countries. Now what could cause ructions? What could upset Portugal?

I have found the original FOI link but you need to download it to read it.

Have a read of the decision here

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Note the requester was asking for information about Theresa May's conversations with Metropolitan Police (eg Paul Stephenson).

Many thanks for that link.
Wow !
_____
Read



(= read between the lines !!)

PeterMac wrote:Many thanks for that link.
Wow !
_____
Read



(= read between the lines !!)

***
Between the lines is interesting, but some lines are quite interesting too!

quote
40.
The Home Office argued that it was clearly not in the public interest to release information that would prejudice the UK’s relations with another country. This is because such prejudice would undermine the UK’s ability to work with other countries, in serving the public interest, in matters of trade, defence, the environment, human rights cases, the fight against terrorism, international crime, and specifically in terms of this particular request the safe return of Madeleine McCann.
unquote

Condition not specified !
That echoes what everyone in the world wants (except a very few on another blog site)
- That Madeleine be found, in whatever condition she might be, so that those responsible may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. -

No one wishes her dead. No one.
Which makes it the more remarkable that those close to her did not search when they had the chance, and have, instead of actively searching, spent the last 4 years pursuing people who in their own way were simply trying to get at the facts. They have never even pretended to search, which makes it more remarkable. What better way to elicit public sympathy than to spend the frequent visits to PdL being filmed hunting around cliffs and inland, and be seen to be turning over stones.
But no. They have never even done that. Why ?

I don't think the McCann affair was originally a conspiracy, it became one because Gerry got far too important people mixed up in it and because it probably means a lot of money and power to some people/industries.
The conspiracy was more in the cover up than the original crime which was executed so badly that it needed teams of lawyers and PR to plug the holes.

We now have the Home Office saying that it would upset the Portuguese, (and the rest of the world) Gordon Brown saying at the start that it was a matter of National Security. How??
For two arrogant doctors out to make a name for themselves? Those two are a thorn in the side of whoever needs to keep them out of jail.
Probably even less popular with their protectors than than the likes of us.

Staying in the limelight is their only place of safety. Imo of course.

But it is strange that they never took advantage of sightings to be seen travelling to far off places, only to be photographed in distress etc. etc. Perhaps they are' allowed' their share of publicity within certain parameters.

@ PeterMac
Of course, nobody wants Madeleine to be dead. I should have underlined "safe" rather than "return".
IMO the McCanns never searched, because they know where she is. Be it dead and hidden or alive and treated like a princess, though the first one is more likely if one believes the dogs.

Echoing your words, Peter Mac and Chatelaine. Who in their right mind would want a child to be dead rather than alive?
Madness. All I can say after 9 months here [ read many of the files, catalyst for visiting forums was the book] is that I do not believe Madeleine McCann was abducted as described from apartment 5a in the time period claimed on May 3rd 2007.
Sadly the evidence I have seen so far points to her being no longer alive and I am eager to hear why people are convinced that she is alive, because everything points to the contrary.
Everything I have read leads me in one direction, to the group of people who surrounded her on that holiday.

tigger wrote:I don't think the McCann affair was originally a conspiracy, it became one because Gerry got far too important people mixed up in it and because it probably means a lot of money and power to some people/industries.
The conspiracy was more in the cover up than the original crime which was executed so badly that it needed teams of lawyers and PR to plug the holes.

We now have the Home Office saying that it would upset the Portuguese, (and the rest of the world) Gordon Brown saying at the start that it was a matter of National Security. How??
For two arrogant doctors out to make a name for themselves? Those two are a thorn in the side of whoever needs to keep them out of jail.
Probably even less popular with their protectors than than the likes of us.

Staying in the limelight is their only place of safety. Imo of course.

But it is strange that they never took advantage of sightings to be seen travelling to far off places, only to be photographed in distress etc. etc. Perhaps they are' allowed' their share of publicity within certain parameters.

An interesting theory tigger which seems completely plausible to me. Not something I'd thought of before - but certainly it's given me food for thought.

dazedandconfused wrote:

tigger wrote:I don't think the McCann affair was originally a conspiracy, it became one because Gerry got far too important people mixed up in it and because it probably means a lot of money and power to some people/industries.
The conspiracy was more in the cover up than the original crime which was executed so badly that it needed teams of lawyers and PR to plug the holes.

We now have the Home Office saying that it would upset the Portuguese, (and the rest of the world) Gordon Brown saying at the start that it was a matter of National Security. How??
For two arrogant doctors out to make a name for themselves? Those two are a thorn in the side of whoever needs to keep them out of jail.
Probably even less popular with their protectors than than the likes of us.

Staying in the limelight is their only place of safety. Imo of course.

But it is strange that they never took advantage of sightings to be seen travelling to far off places, only to be photographed in distress etc. etc. Perhaps they are' allowed' their share of publicity within certain parameters.

An interesting theory tigger which seems completely plausible to me. Not something I'd thought of before - but certainly it's given me food for thought.

tigger

I have wondered this myself - is it possible that it was a condition in some way - that they were not involved in Madeleine's disappearance but would keep silent with this proviso you suggest. Or have I misunderstood you?

Hi All

Apologies for being off topic but has anyone ever wondered why there haven't been any sightings of Madeleine in the UK when we have the most coverage here? I certainly have and it is food for thought IMO.

True Russiandoll, that would be too close to home...

Gillyspot wrote:Hi All

Apologies for being off topic but has anyone ever wondered why there haven't been any sightings of Madeleine in the UK when we have the most coverage here? I certainly have and it is food for thought IMO.

***
There has been one [I'm sure of] , maybe two or three more, long ago, as I remember it. I would have to dig very deep to try and find those again.

Châtelaine wrote:

Gillyspot wrote:Hi All

Apologies for being off topic but has anyone ever wondered why there haven't been any sightings of Madeleine in the UK when we have the most coverage here? I certainly have and it is food for thought IMO.

***
There has been one [I'm sure of] , maybe two or three more, long ago, as I remember it. I would have to dig very deep to try and find those again.

Here you go, a councillor claimed she was at his house buying garden furniture [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]



Latest Madeleine McCann sighting is in Dorset

:01AM GMT 24 Feb 2008




[snipped]

A parish councillor is claiming Madeleine McCann was brought to his Dorset home by a Portuguese couple looking to buy garden furniture, according to a Sunday newspaper.

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That's the one I was sure of, Candyfloss. Thanx [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Two things that stuck into my mind about sightings:

- a very serious looking early sighting in Belgium on a terrace, where people even had been alert enough to secure the girl's glass for possible DNA &
- a tv interview question [search me, cannot remember which transmission], where they - G&K - were asked which sighting alerted them most. And they weren't able to mention one single one [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Didn't it turn out that the DNA on the glass was that of a boy? Admittedly he might have had long hair.......

Jean wrote:Didn't it turn out that the DNA on the glass was that of a boy? Admittedly he might have had long hair.......

It says in this article Jean it was a girl and they tested a drinks bottle......



[snipped]

Detectives took away a drink bottle used by the girl, but the sample returned today did not match the DNA of Madeleine.

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I definitely have read the DNA was male - here's one link. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

@ Tigger We now have the Home Office saying that it would upset the Portuguese,
(and the rest of the world) Gordon Brown saying at the start that it was
a matter of National Security. How??


Reading through the decision the reason they are giving is that as the Portuguese supplied the information to the British 'in confidence' they are not at liberty to divulge the information to the public. If they did so then the Portuguese and other countries would never share sensitive or secret information with the British again as they would not trust us to keep the secrets. Therefore revealing this information now could be to the detriment of sharing information on terrorists etc in the future hence national security.

Châtelaine wrote:Two things that stuck into my mind about sightings:

- a very serious looking early sighting in Belgium on a terrace, where people even had been alert enough to secure the girl's glass for possible DNA &
- a tv interview question [search me, cannot remember which transmission], where they - G&K - were asked which sighting alerted them most. And they weren't able to mention one single one [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

I think that was one of the iconic moments in this case Chatelaine. The pair of them were visibly squirming. I would have thought that every sighting would be carved into their hearts, but as you say, they couldn't remember a single one! It also brought to mind Gerry sucking on a lollipop and discussing football while the police were investigating a possible burial site. All very strange,

Cristobell wrote:

Châtelaine wrote:Two things that stuck into my mind about sightings:

- a very serious looking early sighting in Belgium on a terrace, where people even had been alert enough to secure the girl's glass for possible DNA &
- a tv interview question [search me, cannot remember which transmission], where they - G&K - were asked which sighting alerted them most. And they weren't able to mention one single one [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

I think that was one of the iconic moments in this case Chatelaine. The pair of them were visibly squirming. I would have thought that every sighting would be carved into their hearts, but as you say, they couldn't remember a single one! It also brought to mind Gerry sucking on a lollipop and discussing football while the police were investigating a possible burial site. All very strange,

This one Chatalaine....

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