Robert Murat Revisited

I don't know about "millions", Petunia.

He was awarded £600,000.00 in 2008 and a much smaller amount in 2013.

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We also don't know what he spent the money on.

In early June 2007 Murat said that he first heard about Madeleine on May 4th at around 7.30. His sister Samantha, who lives in Devon, had heard about it in the news on the TV, and had rang him.

According to Mr Steven Carpenter ( see his witness statement) it was HE who told Murat of the missing child when Murat was in his garden. Carpenter subsequently took Murat over to the Ocean Club for translation purposes.

So...... which one of the above is lying?

Oppss NFWTD  i should of said many Thousands  

How many people said they saw RM around the OC on the Thursday evening?

Silvia Batista did and those sisters (forgotten their names).  Also I`ve read that Charlotte Pennington did but can`t find it in her statements.  And then we have 3 Tapas.

From what I`ve read of the police statements, none of them saw him.

No Fate Worse Than De'Ath wrote:I don't know about "millions", Petunia.

He was awarded £600,000.00 in 2008 and a much smaller amount in 2013.

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We also don't know what he spent the money on.

And I assume at least ~40% of that would be taxed? 

With that handsome sum he can afford to sue the Tapas ladies but he did not.

aiyoyo wrote:With that handsome sum he can afford to sue the Tapas ladies but he did not.

I think I saw on his facebook page that he went on a nice Queen Mary Cruise - perhaps he deserved it after all the hard work and stress.

HelenMeg wrote:

aiyoyo wrote:With that handsome sum he can afford to sue the Tapas ladies but he did not.

I think I saw on his facebook page that he went on a nice Queen Mary Cruise - perhaps he deserved it after all the hard work and stress.

His girlfriend also got 100,000 in damages.

Woofer wrote:How many people said they saw RM around the OC on the Thursday evening?

Silvia Batista did and those sisters (forgotten their names).  Also I`ve read that Charlotte Pennington did but can`t find it in her statements.  And then we have 3 Tapas.

From what I`ve read of the police statements, none of them saw him.

@ Woofer, take a look at Charlotte Pennington's statement. Look who is doing the translation. No wonder she didn't mention it!
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All these woven tales by the workers ,can we really take much notice of it ?Does it really make it easier to find this child ,I am beginning to think not .Seem to go over it a lot ,never seems to lead to her does it ,? I mean this sincerely ,not trying to be clever etc. joyce1938

Can someone help me out here please.

I read recently on the forum that RM had previously interpreted for a UK police constabulary (I think it was Norfolk - don't quote me).

If and only if that is true it seems there is more to RM than meets the eye and I'm particularly interested in what possible translation/interpreting services would have been provided and what type of cases were involved. As far as I'm aware RM speaks only English and Portuguese.

Could someone verify if this is true?

Hicks wrote:

Woofer wrote:How many people said they saw RM around the OC on the Thursday evening?

Silvia Batista did and those sisters (forgotten their names).  Also I`ve read that Charlotte Pennington did but can`t find it in her statements.  And then we have 3 Tapas.

From what I`ve read of the police statements, none of them saw him.

@ Woofer, take a look at Charlotte Pennington's statement. Look who is doing the translation. No wonder she didn't mention it!
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Yes, a police approved and trusted translator who, according to reports.....

Provides translation services that form vital statements about the circumstances of 3rd May
Books a flight at short notice
Gives the reason for the trip as sorting out a British divorce
Changes his story about his movements
Admits to being 'too tired' to tell the truth
Has many property contacts in PdL who might 'hold the key'
GM is unquestionably aware of
Is identified at the scene on the evening of the 3rd by several people who then do a complete U-turn
Attends a mysterious meeting with McCann lawyers in Nov 2007
Receives a handsome pay off

Some of the above perhaps can be innocently explained, but the overall picture is very damming.

I don't have it in for RM. He may well have been fed a line to get his co-operation. But there are too many red flags for me.

I have recently wondered if, the Aguido status of Sergei Malinka, a business associate of RM, is another step towards smoking them out ?

IMO of course

Not to forget his snooping through the police documents that he shouldn't have been looking at, and suggesting lines of enquiry to them. 

And his strange late-night phonecall with Malinka, which he lied about, then was unable to explain. 

And his in-haste hiring of a car, and his caginess about giving the car company his Portuguese address.

Did Pennington sign the statement?  Didn't see the usual ratifies and signs at the end of the police statement.

aquila wrote:Can someone help me out here please.

I read recently on the forum that RM had previously interpreted for a UK police constabulary (I think it was Norfolk - don't quote me).

If and only if that is true it seems there is more to RM than meets the eye and I'm particularly interested in what possible translation/interpreting services would have been provided and what type of cases were involved. As far as I'm aware RM speaks only English and Portuguese.

Could someone verify if this is true?

I think that is correct, yes. Lots of Portuguese in East Anglia though, migrant farmworkers and suchlike, so it was probably pretty mundane stuff.

Whilst looking at Murat, and his time translating for the Norfolk police, it would perhaps be a good idea to re-examine this thread.
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Almost every avenue you search in this mystery, the 'P' word is lurking.

Some other bits of info on Robert Murat:

From a comment left here: http://rosaleen-thewhistler.blogspot.co.uk/2008/11/a-robert-murat-3arguido-forum-interview.html

"1. Robert Murat is related to Ocean Club owner, David Symington (member of a famous wine family with big political clout).

2. David Symington is the brother of Ian Douglas Symington - who is friends with ex-British Prime Minister John Major and other past and present members of the British Establishment (British politicians holiday at their properties in the Duoro Valley)

3. David Symington is the Uncle of Johnny Symington - Britain's Honary Consul in Porto. Johnny is the son of Ian Douglas Symington - friend of Major et al."



The same info is repeated here: http://aangirfan.blogspot.co.uk/2008/11/madeleine-mccann-symington-family.html

"1. It has been suggested that Robert Murat could be related to David Symington.

2. The Symington family appear to have links to some of the most senior figures in the British Establishment.

3. The Symingtons are the world's largest and most powerful Port producers. They are also involved in property.

4. Robert Murat's family were in the Oporto Wine Business. Robert is the son of John Henry Queriol Murat, a leading property developer in Portugal, who helped turn Praia da Luz into a high-class resort.


Major's former Political Secretary Howell James ... owns a hotel in Marrakech, Morocco - the very place that Madeleine McCann was spotted in May last year. James co-owns the Riad El Fenn hotel"




"Howell James arranged for Clarence Mitchell to represent the McCanns."

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((Incidentally, does anyone know who the dark-skinned bald man is who was photographed looking at Madeleine before she 'disappeared', and was later photographed walking with Robert Murat? the photos in question can be seen near the bottom of this page:

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Tony Bennett wrote (here: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]   )

Robert Murat's mobile telephone was completely switched off from 3.44pm on Wednesday 2 May 2007.

Dr Gerald McCann's mobile telephone was completely switched off from 3.49pm on Wednesday 2 May 2007.

Dr Gerald McCann only switched on his mobile again at 11.14pm on Thursday 3 May.

Robert Murat only switched on his mobile again at 11.20pm on Thurdsay 3 May."




Lastly, it may be significant that both Robert Murat and the McCanns' wealthy benefactor Brian Kennedy are both Jehovah's Witnesses.

Of course, it may just be another co-incidence. Although strange co-incidences seem to swarm around this man. 




As far as I know, it's Robert Murat's then girlfriend (now wife) who is a Jehovah's Witness, not him. NFWTD.

Thanks Clay, thank Hicks, sorry for the delay, I've been out this arvo.

Quick Who's Who of the Cosy McCann, Control Risks and Halligen Circle -courtesy:

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The Symington Family: David Symington's brother, Ian Douglas Symington is an old friend of British Prime Minister, John Major. David's nephew Johnny Symington is Britain's Honorary Consul in Oporto, Portugal.

Howell James (Chief of Communications for Blair) - Man responsible for seconding Clarence Mitchell to Foreign and Commonwealth Office on May 26th 2007. A political advisor to Conservative Prime Minister, John Major. Hired by Blair in 2004. Left position in 2008 under Gordon Brown.

Baroness Justice Mary Hogg - Conservative Peer responsible for making Madeleine McCann a Ward of Court in May 2007.

Sarah Hogg (sister) - Chairman of British Private Equity company, 3i Plc. Major investor's in Brian Kennedy's double-glazing companies and Control Risks Group. Former BBC Governor responsible for sacking Greg Dyke over the David Kelly/WMD affair. Hogg was John Major's Policy Advisor.

Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones: Former foreign affairs advisor to John Major and close friend of Sarah Hogg. Chairman of British Defense Research Company,Qinetiq, privatised under Tony Blair between 2003-2005.She was also Chairman of the British Joint Intelligence Committee. Ex–Central Intelligence Agency Director George Tenet served as an independent non-executive director. Carlyle Group were the company's first major investors. Hogg's company are also investors. As BBC Governor she combined forces with Sarah Hogg in the dismissal of Greg Dyke over his handling of the David Kelly/WMD affair.

John Major: Former Conservative Prime Minister and former Head of Carlyle Europe.

Sir Christopher Meyer: Press secretary to Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs under Prime Minister John Major. British Ambassador to the United States from 1997 until his retirement in 2003 (under Tony Blair). Chairman of Press Complaint Commission who negotiated out of court libel settlement (or services fee) for Gerry and Kate McCann. Married to Lady Catherine Meyer who campaign with the McCanns in Europe for EU-Wide Amber Alert.

Michael Caplan QC: Conservative lawyer who advised the McCanns and General Pinochet. Also represented Conservative MP Damian Green in Immigration row.

Michael Shrimpton QC: Barrister who advised on National Security issues during the extradition of General Pinochet. Came up with ridiculous (but useful) intelligence theories for the death of David Kelly and Madeleine McCann. Advisor to Intelligence Summit in Washington DC along with Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones - who heads up Britain private and shadow intelligence services.

Richard Parton: Partnered Kevin Halligen's Oakley International in the Madeleine McCann Investigation. Advisor with Shrimpton and Baroness Neville-Jones to Washington's Intelligence Summit.

Intelligence Summit (Washington DC) Forum made up of past and present members of and advisors to the intelligences services including Mossad, the CIA, mi5 and Mi6. Founded by Robert Katz and John Loftus. Loftus is President of the Florida Holocaust Museum. Former Intelligence Officer for President Reagan's Justice Department and Nazi War Criminals Prosecutor. Author of 'The Belarus Secret'. The forum is sponsored by Michael Cherney.

Bell Pottinger: PR Firm founded by Conservative peer Lord Timothy Bell. Represented the Ocean Club, Mark Warner and the McCanns. Also handled PR for UK Government for their 'Promoting Democracy in the new Iraq' project. Clients include General Pinochet and Michael Cherney, sponsor the Intelligence Summit and the President of Belarus.

Patton Boggs - Law firm and specialist lobby shop in Washington. Kevin Halligen uses their address for registering Oakley International and for donations to US Senator John R Unger II. Halligen describes his position as 'attorney'. Specialises in lobbying Congress on behalf of Private Defense Contractors and those involved in winning contracts for infrastructure reconstruction in Afghanistan and Iraq. Major donators to John R Unger's congress campaign. Lobby on behalf of the Order of Malta (who the Shadow Intelligences in the US and UK have been determined to implicate since the very beginning). Friendly with China and Saudi Arabia (making them vulnerable to black ops plots inside the US).

John R Unger II: Former charity worker with Mother Theresa. Democrat representing the 16th District in the West Virginia Senate. Homeland security and economic development advisor for EG&G (Edgerton, Germeshausen and Grier, Incorporated/United Research Services) a US Defense Contractor. Unger has become an integral part in the reconstruction effort underway in Iraq.

Colonel Steve Garrett - Halligen's best man at his wedding and defence lobbyist for Patton Boggs (as well frequent Fox News commentator). Met Halligen at a Special Forces Club in Knightsbridge, Central London. Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Hollis was the senior Department official responsible for efforts to train and equip security forces in Colombia and Afghanistan. Regular Defense commentator for Fox News.

Sir Michael Rose - Former SAS Commander and retired British Army Colonel who was President of the Special Forces Club when Halligen was admitted in 2002. Now Non-Executive chairman at Control Risks Group. Veteran of Northern Ireland and the Gulf States.

Control Risks Group: Private Security and Intelligence company founded by Timothy Royle as a subsidiary of Hogg Robinson. Employed by Brian Kennedy and the McCanns in May 2007. Won Risk Assessment contract from the UK Government under Tony Blair to ascertain risks to business development in Iraq.

Sir Donald Palmer: Former SAS Officer and pal of Sir Michael Rose of Control Risks Group. Put the name of Kevin Halligen forward for entry into the Special Forces Club in Knightsbridge London. Made chairman of Special Forces Club in 1998. Rose was appointed at the same time as President.

Andre Hollis - Chief-Executive at Halligen's Oakley International. In 2007-2008 was Vice President of Van Scoyoc Associates, a powerful lobbying firm that performs services on behalf of the British Embassy's Defense Procurement programme. Hollis - a former Marine - was the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense. Hollis was the senior Department official responsible for efforts to train and equip security forces in Colombia and Afghanistan. Regular Defense commentator n Fox News.

Van Scoyoc: Powerful lobbying company in the US. Is registered as a foreign agent of the United Kingdom's Defense Research projects. Employ's Halligen's partner Andre Hollis. Van Scoyoc also won a Pentagon/Boeing deal for Vulture, an unmanned endurance vehicle developed by the British-based Qinetiq in a deal with American Aerospace. Performed lobbying to 3i/QINETEG project Ricardo UK and the Forensic Science Services based in Birmingham.

Forensic Science Services: Based in Birmingham and responsible for handling all the major DNA testing for the Portuguese Police during the McCann Investigations. Due to be privatised under Brown and looking for investors. Headed by Simon Bennet - former Managing Director of Qinetiq - the former Government Defence Company run by Baroness Neville-Jones.

Senator Richard Shelby: Democrat turned Republican. One of Several Defense figures Gerry McCann met in Washington during his visit in June and July 2007. Served on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence from 1995 to 2003 under Clinton and Bush respectively. Leaked classified (but dubious) information to Fox News that intimated that the Services had prior warning of the 9/11 attack. Congress and senate campaigns supported by donations from Patton Boggs and Van Scoyoc.

Antonio Gonzalez: Another of the Senior Defense figures Gerry McCann met in Washington DC during his 'fact finding mission'. At this time Gonzalez was Attorney General of the United States under George W Bush Government (it's not been satisfactorily explained why Gerry sought advice from Defense and Intelligence Figures when it was the Ministry of Justice and Transportation handling Amber Alert System (and all issues and systems relating to missing children). Familiar with Colonel Garrett - Halligen's best-man.

Noel Koch: Attended Kevin Halligen's wedding along with Colonel Steve Garrett and Oakley International's Andre Hollis. Former United States Assistant Secretary of Defense and now advisor to Barack Obama. Koch was a leading voice in calls for regime change in Iraq ahead of the first gulf war.

Sir Alec Jefferys: Father of DNA finger printing who offered to assist in the analysis of the blood samples being tested at the Forensic Sciences Services in Birmingham. In 1992, Jeffreys spearheaded a project to confirm the identity for German prosecutors of the Nazi Dr. Josef Mengele, who had died in 1979, by comparing DNA obtained from a femur bone of his exhumed skeleton. Not unlike Madeleine, Mengele and Albert Heim seemed to be everywhere at once; Bolivia, Morocco, Egypt and Chile, and in the jungles of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. John Loftus of the Intelligence Summit was originally said to have clashed with the sponsor of the project and the findings. Albert Heim - Dr. Death is purported to have converted to Islam before his death in Cairo.
The German DVD formed the basis of several prosperous claims made by Michael Shrimpton - an advisor to Loftus and Cherney's Intelligence Summit.

Symington/Howell James/Mandelson links

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A couple of thoughts. Going back to the 'riddler', could John Buck be the' biological cousin'?

Looking for some info on the early diplomatic involvement (apparently it was just a few hours after the event on the 4th May)I came across something that I hadn't read before.
John McCann-brother to Gerry- said very early on that...'This is a political issue
 and needs wider exposure'.

If you scroll down to the comments section you'll see it. Perhaps the poster is one and the same!
Does anyone else remember this?

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My mind is truly boggling now!

Snipped from Helen Meg`s list

"Sarah Hogg (sister) - Chairman of British Private Equity company, 3i Plc. Major investor's in Brian Kennedy's double-glazing companies and Control Risks Group. Former BBC Governor responsible for sacking Greg Dyke over the David Kelly/WMD affair. Hogg was John Major's Policy Advisor. "

I found this on a BK thread :-

"ate: Friday, 23 July, 2010, 23:32

Posted by: truthurts on July 23, 2010 4:11 PM

One of the major investors in the forensic science services who did the analysis of the DNA and other evidence in the Madeleine investigation is a company called 3i PLC/group,a private equity company behind Brian Kennedy (oakley International who Halligen worked for)& CRG who the McCanns brought in from the start.sarah Hogg(Baroness)is the guardian appointed in this case just happens to be the chairman of the 3i group.If true,how easy it would be to manipulate the evidence,where's the likes of Brunt when these sort ofr things need investigating,oh yes Brunty is one of the McCanns sycophants isn't he."

3i seem to be a company that recommends good investments for people, so I don`t understand what `a private equity company behind Brian Kennedy ` means.

Woofer wrote:Symington/Howell James/Mandelson links

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That is very interesting woofer. This Howell James needs much further scrutiny.

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Boy, this just gets weirder by the minute.

So Richard Branson's sister( Vanessa) is co-owner of the hotel, Riad El Fenn, along with Howell James.

Branson, another financial backer to the McCann's.