"Maddie cops to start digging at resort"

Mirage wrote:This is the top story on Sky. Top story on BBC is Stuart Hall and no mention of PdL as yet.  There isn't anything on the BBC News website either. I wonder why?

I believe this is a PJ initiative, not an SY one. It just happens that one of the 278 requests made to Portugal from SY was to search for clues. This one request - despite many others of the 277 being rejected due to "a total lack of foundation" - has been granted.

You've got to ask why. Is it simply that this is the ONLY request form SY that actually coincides with the direction the PJ are taking - therefore it's the only request that's been granted? Albeit under Portuguese direction - they will be orchestrating and conducting the dig. Scotland Yard, IF their application to be present during the dig is accepted, will be mere observers.

And the PJ haven't even set a date for when the dig may happen. 

This report detailing the statements of a Portuguese police source says all we need to know:
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...and for me that's that the Brits are still banging on the outside trying to get in.

I reckon the BBC are sticking to their current role of 'say nothing to incriminate the MCs' until events develop a little more until they are clear about which way the cookie is crumbling.

The Telegraph says detectives have flown to the Algarve


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Cães vão procurar corpo de Maddie = Dogs will seek body of Maddie
(google, then cleaned up)
The Public Ministry of Portimão authorized the British police to make searches of a vacant lot next to the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz, Algarve, where researchers now argue that Madeleine's body may have been buried. The team continues to investigate the disappearance of Madeleine McCann and had already made other requests that were refused. They have now to perform searches on wasteland next to the apartment where the girl disappeared on May 4, 2007 and for authorized excavations. For now only the searches are allowed.
The British promise to use special equipment such as probes to help find corpses and dogs that smell the trail of death. "

A spokesman said, on behalf of the McCanns - "Oh merda."

Dare I say fingers crossed,toes and arms too ? Is this why Mr and Mrs don't look at all well and has the shit truly hit the fan  :please: :please: be so !!!

HelenMeg wrote:

Clay Regazzoni wrote:Well, I must say this is all very biblical. Looks like they've well and truly picked the bones of the seven fat cows.....

Quite by chance I caught A Place In The Sun (or as it's known in our house, A Pain In the Arse) on C4 yesterday afternoon. They looked at apartments in PdL and Burgau, and spoke to Sally Eveleigh. All very subliminal.

Has anybody else seen the movie Holes? It was the first thing I thought of when I heard the latest news.

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Thanks - always good to have a little chuckle at the start of the week.

a 'Pain in the Arse' is good for when you have nothing better to do and can just lay back and watch how the couples interact.  I just cant imagine who would really want to go on that program...

Must admit I spotted that yesterday. Think the other type program on Beeb 2 later also featured portugal. Oddly enough todays edition of A Pain in the Arse features Huelva..... Somebody at Channel 4 know something?

Watching The Detectives wrote:The Telegraph says detectives have flown to the Algarve


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They arent hanging about then.... Why the massively sudden urgency?

Quote from that article "Scotland Yard have refused to comment, stating that they are not giving a running commentary on their investigation.". That was echoed in one of the mails articles yesterday where a SY spokesperson apparently said that the yard have a strict policy in not commenting on ongoing investigations. So where have all the spurious news articles been coming from if thats true. Also, if the yard are not providing comments, just how much must they be p****d off with whoever is muddying the waters and making them look like fools?

What SY requests were rejected? ([You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], 5 May 2014.) The number of requests is reported there to total 278. Presumably that sums up the points from within each ILR.

If that is true, it is ridiculous and I am surprised SY haven't been told they are abusing the Portuguese judicial system and sent away by a Portuguese judge with a flea in their ear. Why can't they simply convince their Portuguese colleagues? It would also suggest that SY are being used by Team McCann, to the tune of probably tens of millions of pounds of public expenditure. If so, I am sure there are those in SY who would like to see the McCanns get exposed, but still...278 requests??

haroldd wrote:What SY requests were rejected? ([You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], 5 May 2014.) The number of requests is reported there to total 278. Presumably that sums up the points from within each ILR.

If that is true, it is ridiculous and I am surprised SY haven't been told they are abusing the Portuguese judicial system and sent away by a Portguese judge with a flea in their ear. Why can't they simply convince their Portuguese colleagues? It would also suggest that SY are being used by Team McCann, to the tune of probably tens of millions of pounds of public expenditure. If so, I am sure there are those in SY who would like to see the McCanns get exposed, but still...278 requests??

Quite.

And only one granted. Wonder why this one, particularly....?

No wonder SY are refusing to comment.

The article that refers to the 278 request is also from an un-named source although this time apparently on the Portuguese side of things. Should we give this any more credence than the sources 'close to the McCanns?'

Judge refuses ‘a number’ of formal requests by Scotland Yard in search for Madeleine

BY BRENDAN DE BEER, IN [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] · 05-05-2014 21:55:00 · [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

A Portuguese police source has told The Portugal News that some requests by Scotland Yard detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have been “rejected due to a total lack of foundation.”

 
The ruling was made by a Portuguese criminal judge tasked with issuing search warrants applied for by the Metropolitan Police Service in the third and latest international letter of request sent to Lisbon earlier this year.
 
The police source stressed that contrary to latest newspaper reports both in Britain and Portugal, no digging has been scheduled with regards to the investigation.
 
A report in this Tuesday's Jornal de Notícias has however revealed that the Attorney-General's office has authorised digging in Praia da Luz, but said no date for these operations had been set.

  Could this anonymous source by attempting to make SY look like idiots?  After all this source was keen to point out no digging has been scheduled!

ChippyM wrote:The article that refers to the 278 request is also from an un-named source although this time apparently on the Portuguese side of things. Should we give this any more credence than the sources 'close to the McCanns?'

Judge refuses ‘a number’ of formal requests by Scotland Yard in search for Madeleine

BY BRENDAN DE BEER, IN [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] · 05-05-2014 21:55:00 · [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

A Portuguese police source has told The Portugal News that some requests by Scotland Yard detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have been “rejected due to a total lack of foundation.”

 
The ruling was made by a Portuguese criminal judge tasked with issuing search warrants applied for by the Metropolitan Police Service in the third and latest international letter of request sent to Lisbon earlier this year.
 
The police source stressed that contrary to latest newspaper reports both in Britain and Portugal, no digging has been scheduled with regards to the investigation.
 
A report in this Tuesday's Jornal de Notícias has however revealed that the Attorney-General's office has authorised digging in Praia da Luz, but said no date for these operations had been set.

  Could this anonymous source by attempting to make SY look like idiots?  After all this source was keen to point out no digging has been scheduled!

The Sky report says dig for 'evidence' not dig for a body

The Portuguese police source has responded reactively to screaming redtops in the UK, rather than pro-actively casting wild assertions in the media indiscriminately with little, if any, foundation. I wonder how many of the 277 rejected requests have their basis in the PJ breaking off from their investigation to respond to investigating smelly men lying on beds, charity collectors, reclusive apartment owners, kidnappers in burger bars miles from PDL, etc. etc. ad nauseam?

As this is one of the rare (unique?) occasions when a response from the PJ has been forthcoming, I am inclined to believe the source.

haroldd wrote:What SY requests were rejected? ([You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], 5 May 2014.) The number of requests is reported there to total 278. Presumably that sums up the points from within each ILR.

If that is true, it is ridiculous and I am surprised SY haven't been told they are abusing the Portuguese judicial system and sent away by a Portuguese judge with a flea in their ear. Why can't they simply convince their Portuguese colleagues? It would also suggest that SY are being used by Team McCann, to the tune of probably tens of millions of pounds of public expenditure. If so, I am sure there are those in SY who would like to see the McCanns get exposed, but still...278 requests??

I suspect most of those requests come from the parents and their lawyers - sending investigators on wild goose chases and therefore taking the focus off themselves - perhaps it is their right to put their twopenny worth in.  SY may have listed the reuests, whilst secretly hoping that the AG would reject them. 

I think the McCanns have been caught on the hop with this one, they seem to only just have been advised of it, which might explain Gerry's hope for a happy outcome on Saturday - it was unbelievably crass if they knew about the imminent digs.  

Martin Brunt put forward a scenario where someone might have seen someone digging a grave on the night of the 3rd May who reported it to the PJ, but they didn't follow it up.  I'm still not clear whether this is an imagined scenario or whether it really happened, either way its pretty unbelievable.

Also from the same report:

The Portuguese police source wrote:But he reasoned that “if they are planning excavations, it means that they are looking for a body.”
 
As for reports that the digging could also serve to rule out the possibility that Madeleine is not alive, he questioned: “How many holes do you have to dig to rule out the existence of a body?”
 
He continued: “Why does the Metropolitan Police Service want to dig up holes if they believe Madeleine is still alive? How do you prove that somebody is alive by digging up holes?”

Like I said in the above post - I trust everything coming from the Portuguese end far more that the British media, Mc or SY "spokespeople".

Perhaps this request was the only one that required equipment and/or expertise that the Portuguese don't have, so they've said yes.

Dee Coy wrote:

Mirage wrote:This is the top story on Sky. Top story on BBC is Stuart Hall and no mention of PdL as yet.  There isn't anything on the BBC News website either. I wonder why?

I believe this is a PJ initiative, not a SY one. It just happens that one of the 278 requests made to Portugal from SY was to search for clues. This one request - despite many others of the 277 being rejected due to "a total lack of foundation" - has been granted.

You've got to ask why. Is it simply that this is the ONLY request form SY that actually coincides with the direction the PJ are taking - therefore it's the only request that's been granted? Albeit under Portuguese direction - they will be orchestrating and conducting the dig. Scotland Yard, IF their application to be present during the dig is accepted, will be mere observers.

And the PJ haven't even set a date for when the dig may happen. 

This report detailing the statements of a Portuguese police source says all we need to know:
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

...and for me that's that the Brits are still banging on the outside trying to get in.

I reckon the BBC are sticking to their current role of 'say nothing to incriminate the MCs' until events develop a little more and they are clear about which way the cookie is crumbling.

I agree Dee Coy. BBC sticking to pro Mc script. Probably a few meetings behind the scenes of the headless chicken variety hopefully. Only a few days ago we had the Fiona Bruce interview and the headline on the BBC News site was 'Madeleine McCann parents "frustrated" by lack of joint enquiry'.

Here's what they had to say:

KH : 'To us it makes sense that the two police forces should work together. I mean, to have a more stream-lined approach to avoid duplication and to basically progress the investigation at faster pace. I'm not sure myself, and I haven't been given a reason, as to why a joint investigation team has been knocked back.'

GM: The concern that we have, and I think that the Metropolitan police also have, is that at the minute there's almost a parallel investigation's going on which just doesn't make sense.

---------------------------------
A case of careful what you wish for ......... maybe.  Caveat: You can never be 100% sure with this case.

However, there are some clues in what they say and the bits I have highlighted seem particularly interesting, perhaps indicating they are  not in the loop.

Stream-lined approach suggests, my way or the high way (or the MET's anyway when they were declared persons of no interest).

Duplication to be avoided. Hmm. Duplication isn't all bad - a bit of independent cross-checking.

The reference to a (not the) joint investigation team being knocked back is quite strongly expressed. You get knocked back when you've suffered a shock of some sort. Interesting turn of phrase, I thought.

I noticed the slight smirk when GM mentioned: 'Almost a parallel investigation going on' . Hmm. Parallel means the same. Following the same lines. Oh dear. That doesn't seem to please because he adds: 'Which just doesn't make sense,' Just is a comparison word (according to statement analysis)  so is he comparing with what has gone before? Anyway, the upshot is that it doesn't make sense to him. So, he has obviously been privy to a lot that has made sense previously and now that has stopped. If something doesn't make sense to you, you become confused. If it is something of great importance to you, and it is not being explained in terms, you become frustrated. As per the headline. As per their complaint.

Notice he says 'at the minute' in relation to the parallel investigation going on. At the minute = NOW. So that indicates a change. And he only thinks it is a concern to the Metropolitan police too - which means he doesn't know at all whether they are concerned or  not. He's guessing and sharing it with the public anyway.

Well, they have certainly speeded things up. 48 hours ago the PJ said the MET could be observers (yes Bruntie finally slipped that in at the end of his report) to the dig. How's  that for progressing at faster pace?

I notice Bruntie said something along the lines of it being an obviously upsetting prospect for the couple. I thought of the day Gerry blogged about his daily doings as the Murat garden was being excavated and smiled to myself. As the couple would say of any sighting 'We don't go on a roller coaster ride every time'.

But then I suppose there are sightings, and sightings.

Cristobell wrote:

haroldd wrote:What SY requests were rejected? ([You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], 5 May 2014.) The number of requests is reported there to total 278. Presumably that sums up the points from within each ILR.

If that is true, it is ridiculous and I am surprised SY haven't been told they are abusing the Portuguese judicial system and sent away by a Portuguese judge with a flea in their ear. Why can't they simply convince their Portuguese colleagues? It would also suggest that SY are being used by Team McCann, to the tune of probably tens of millions of pounds of public expenditure. If so, I am sure there are those in SY who would like to see the McCanns get exposed, but still...278 requests??

I suspect most of those requests come from the parents and their lawyers - sending investigators on wild goose chases and therefore taking the focus off themselves - perhaps it is their right to put their twopenny worth in.  SY may have listed the reuests, whilst secretly hoping that the AG would reject them. 

I think the McCanns have been caught on the hop with this one, they seem to only just have been advised of it, which might explain Gerry's hope for a happy outcome on Saturday - it was unbelievably crass if they knew about the imminent digs.  

Martin Brunt put forward a scenario where someone might have seen someone digging a grave on the night of the 3rd May who reported it to the PJ, but they didn't follow it up.  I'm still not clear whether this is an imagined scenario or whether it really happened, either way its pretty unbelievable.

lol as if.

K burley said at 2pm news that 5a maybe one of the areas of interest to dig/search as well as the beach.
Probably them speculating, but who knows.

Cristobell wrote:
I think the McCanns have been caught on the hop with this one, they seem to only just have been advised of it, which might explain Gerry's hope for a happy outcome on Saturday - it was unbelievably crass if they knew about the imminent digs.  

I completely agree. Gerry's happy hope and Kate's scruffy appearance to me indicate a state of surprise and shock.  

Cristobell wrote:
Martin Brunt put forward a scenario where someone might have seen someone digging a grave on the night of the 3rd May who reported it to the PJ, but they didn't follow it up.  I'm still not clear whether this is an imagined scenario or whether it really happened, either way its pretty unbelievable.

They just can't help themselves, can they? FGS.

What's it a dig for then? A pot of gold?

phil_burton wrote:What's it a dig for then? A pot of gold?

No,that is in the midlands.

Maybe they will be digging for Mitchell's conscience. 
 
But seriously. I hope this all is real and the endgame.

The fall out for the family is not sy's problem.
They are employed in this to solve a crime.

jeanmonroe wrote:Is the reverand Hubbard STILL pacing up and down ( a full 3 days AFTER he was 'flown in' to 'meet' Kate in PDL) outside the church in PDL awaiting the arrival of the McCanns and their multitude of disciples?

they gave him a shovel ......

Garrincha wrote:Sorry if this rains on the parade but some reflections:
 
If SY were not “whitewashing” but instead were ratcheting up the pressure on TM hoping someone will break ranks (or cover), they would have to consider the safety of the twins. 
 
(In these sort circumstances when a parent cracks, other family members are often hurt.) 
 
If that were to happen in this case SY would be guilty of the most extraordinary negligence and the fallout for all involved would be terminal (professionally).
 

Therefore, as there seems to be no indication that the twins are not with their parents, I simply cannot believe the SY strategy is focused on anything other than whitewash.

Good point. Imagine, McCann was a murder proved ... after they lied to the whole world 7 years. I'm just saying: Fond.
How could Gerry go on?

Garrincha wrote:
.....
Therefore, as there seems to be no indication that the twins are not with their parents, I simply cannot believe the SY strategy is focused on anything other than whitewash.

Someone could be monitoring the family. Even the McCanns wouldn't want to attempt to spin that in the media!

Brunt on his way to PdL, on phone to Sky newsdesk.

 Sites identified :

 2 roads leading to the sea, one of which is the road or near the road where a family reported seeing a man carrying a child.
 The other is near the apartment, where a new road has been laid.

 It is warm and Brunt says holidaymakers are there and will be uncomfortable with the media destined to congregate there.

MarleneP wrote:

Garrincha wrote:Sorry if this rains on the parade but some reflections:
 
If SY were not “whitewashing” but instead were ratcheting up the pressure on TM hoping someone will break ranks (or cover), they would have to consider the safety of the twins. 
 
(In these sort circumstances when a parent cracks, other family members are often hurt.) 
 
If that were to happen in this case SY would be guilty of the most extraordinary negligence and the fallout for all involved would be terminal (professionally).
 

Therefore, as there seems to be no indication that the twins are not with their parents, I simply cannot believe the SY strategy is focused on anything other than whitewash.

Good point. Imagine, McCann was a murder proved ... after they lied to the whole world 7 years. I'm just saying: Fond.
How could Gerry go on?

Gerry could go on- he is not the average person. I think that we have only seen a very small part of Gerry and what he is capable of.  Not many parents could stand up and say their child had been abducted, knowing their child had died (only a theory of course that that is what they did!!)

NickE wrote:Anyone think that McCann' falls apart and telling the truth if they find a body?

No, they might spin another fairy tale and nail themselves with the new lies. These are sociopaths, they only care about themselves. Kate is much harder than she tries to look.

paradigm67 wrote:Daily Mail is on form again...

"Scotland Yard have refused to comment on reports about the latest development in the investigation.
The McCanns' spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "As always, we simply will not comment on operational details of Operation Grange, that is a matter for the Met Police.
'Kate and Gerry are being kept fully informed throughout.'

Followed by
"Yesterday a source close the McCanns said it will be a ‘heart-breaking and hugely emotional time’ for the family.
‘Police have assured Kate and Gerry that it does not mean they are specifically searching for her body,’ he said.
‘They are doing searches as much as to rule scenarios out as much as rule them in. They will be concentrating on several different places at different phases.
‘Certain areas should have been searched properly way back by the Portuguese authorities but were not.’
The searches are not being conducted as the result of any new information, but senior officers are keen to rule out every possibility.
They have said privately that the searches are a difficult issue because they suggest Portuguese police should have acted before."




So Clarence as the official spokesman says that they wont comment on operational issues but another 'source' close to the McCanns speaks out. Who is this close 'source' if not Clarrie? If SY refuse to comment and Clarrie states they dont speak about ongoing events then who is?


I notice that there has been no official accouncement from the Terrible Twosome about whats going on or their response to the implications of a dig but then if SY have been keeping them informed as to the details of the digs theres a good chance that they may not be worried at all. If nothing is found then I have no doubt they will use that as some kind of vindication of their innocence.

I want to know why sy are keeping the mccanns informed after all they were NOT exonerated by the pj,so realy they are still suspects.