"I haven't lost my dignity"


30 December 2010
Alexandra Ferreira
Nova Gente, 20.12.2010 (paper edition only)
Translated by "Astro" - Joana Morais Blog

Amaral Family Christmas 2010

Continue Reading... Labels: ,


Madeleine McCann deserves justice


Maddie Case : “Portugal has a Weak Government Faced With the English ‘Friends’.
(Translated by Ines - Maddie Case Files)
23 December 2010
Correio da Manhã


The ex–inspector of the Madeleine McCann case from the Polícia Judiciária, Gonçalo Amaral, returned this Thursday to point his finger at the Portuguese government, after revelations from WikiLeaks last week that told that it was the British police itself that found evidence to incriminate the McCann couple for the disappearance of their daughter, on the night of 3rd May 2007, in Praia da Luz, Algarve.

According to what Gonçalo Amaral said to the Efe agency,
Portugal “has a weak government faced with the English ‘friends’, which is servile and submissive, and that the archiving of the investigation into the mysterious disappearance of Madeleine McCann constitutes a shame for our country and for the Portuguese legal system”.
The ex – inspector, who has already told Correio da Manhã that the British police have not told everything to the PJ, is convinced that London pressured Lisbon to remove him from his post in order to avoid accusations against Gerry and Kate McCann.

Gonçalo Amaral is confident that the case will be completely cleared up, but that it is necessary to re-iniate the police investigation and re-open the case.
“Madeleine McCann deserves justice. Her probable death and mysterious disappearance cannot depend only on political will”, he said.

ORIGINAL (Portuguese):

Caso Maddie: “Portugal tem Governo débil face a ‘amigos’ ingleses”

O ex-inspector do caso de Madeleine McCann na Polícia Judiciária, Gonçalo Amaral, voltou esta quinta-feira a apontar o dedo ao Governo português, depois das revelações do ‘WikiLeaks’, na semana passada, que dão conta de que foi a própria polícia inglesa que encontrou provas a incriminar o casal McCann pelo desaparecimento da filha Madeleine, na noite de 3 de Maio de 2007, na Praia da Luz, Algarve
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , ,


Maddie sightings and media madness


Maddie sightings and media madness
December 21, 2010
Len Port Blog


"A modest group of people in Portugal have also been subjected to injustices, unfounded allegations and smears in connection with the Madeleine McCann investigation, but they have had no outlet for complaint - and their side of the story has gone totally unreported until now."

Please read original post at the source.
  • David Edgar apparently lead the "surveillance" as it was Edgar who sent a report to the PJ regarding this.
The witnesses were:
  • Jean Godwin, a retired care home worker from Widnes, Cheshire called the McCann's "hotline" in 2008 and informed the McCann's private investigators that in September 2008 she spotted a 'gaunt' blonde girl wearing a black wig being dragged by 'gipsy women' .  Mrs Godwin described the first woman as being "an 'obese' size 30, in her mid-to-late 40s with 'dirty and unkempt' red hair. The second woman was around 60, with unwashed brown hair, and even fatter."("The McCanns' investigators believed the red-haired woman was Yvone Albino, a cleaner from Silves.")

  • Jeni Weinberger, from Salisbury, Wiltshire who claimed she saw a woman resembling Mrs. Albino outside the McCann apartment. (Note: Weinbergers were among the names on the released PJ investigation files - on the list of people staying at the Ocean Club at the time Madeleine disappeared.)
Reporters:
  • Arthur Martin
     
  • Jerry Lawton
     
  • Martin Fricker
     
  • Nick Fagge
     
  • Antonella Lazzeri
     

Articles related to this include:
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,


MCCANNS REJECT WIKILEAKS CLAIMS


MCCANNS REJECT WIKILEAKS CLAIMS
James Murray
19 December 2010
The Express on Sunday


Excerpt:

Kate and Gerry McCann have reacted angrily to revelations by WikiLeaks that alleged British police had been helping to build a case against them over the disappearance of their daughter Madeleine. In a statement on their Find Madeleine website, they said:
"The WikiLeaks 'news' this week has led to the repetition of many unfounded smears. This has been seized on as an opportunity by those who wish to compound our suffering and hamper our efforts, including the very person who was entrusted with finding our daughter." 
The couple are locked in a bitter civil dispute with former Portuguese police chief Goncalo Amaral over claims he made in his book, Maddie: The Truth Of The Lie. ...


---------------------------------------------------------------
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , , , ,


Madeleine McCann campaign sees funds dwindle


17 December 2010 
05:42 AM
Press Association National Newswire
Sam Marsden, Press Association Chief Reporter

Kate and Gerry McCann's fund to help find their missing daughter Madeleine saw its income drop by nearly two-thirds last year.

The amount raised for the cause fell from £629,181 in 2008-09 to £233,099 in 2009-10, newly-published accounts filed to Companies House show.

More than £421,000 was spent on the campaign to locate Madeleine and merchandise costs last year, leaving the balance standing at £470,034 at the end of March.

The McCanns, both 42, from Rothley, Leicestershire, spoke last month of their fears that the dwindling of the fund would leave them unable to continue paying private detectives to search for their daughter.

Since then they have signed a lucrative deal to write a book about Madeleine's disappearance, with all proceeds going to the fund.

Madeleine's Fund was launched a fortnight after the little girl vanished from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, southern Portugal, on May 3 2007.

Donations flooded in from supporters around the world who wanted to do something to help her parents, and the income for 2007-08 totalled £1,846,178.

Last year the fund paid for the private investigators, a telephone hotline for the public to pass on information and the McCanns' legal battle to ban a book about what happened to Madeleine by former Portuguese detective Goncalo Amaral.

The fund's directors wrote in a preface to the 2009-10 accounts: "We continue to have a number of loyal donors supporting the search for Madeleine. For this we are grateful.

"As expected, income in the new financial year is lower than last year and we continue to review all our expenses to ensure value for money.

"An event held early in 2010 was successful in raising much-needed income to add to the decreasing funds.

"As anticipated, the costs of the search during the year continue to be higher than the annual income."
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , ,


English suspects of withholding relevant evidence


16 December 2010
Correio da Manhã
Henrique Machado
See Joana Morais Blog for translation.


Correio da Manhã
Gonçalo Amaral believes that the British police did not disclose all that they have found to the PJ

[Preliminary summary - to be updated / edited as needed:]

  • The British Ambassador in Lisbon [Ellis] admitted that British police found incriminating evidence against the McCanns as was revealed in Wikileaks.
     
    • Amaral states that he does not know what this evidence is, but that it could have been hidden.
       
  • Gaspar Statement

    • The Gaspar statement was sent to the Leicestershire Police on 16 May 2007
       
    • The British police did not forward the Gaspar statement detailing pedophile suspicions re: David Payne until October 2007 [after Amaral was removed from the case]
       
  • Credit Cards/McCann relationship/Madeleine medical history
    • The British police told the PJ that there was nothing relevant in regard to the McCann's or the Tapas 7 credit cards, the "relationship between Kate and Gerry or in Madeleine's medical history
       
  • Eddie/Keela: British Sniffer Dogs
     
    • Amaral does not believe that the evidence of which Ambassador Ellis spoke has anything to do with the British sniffer dogs (who detected blood and cadaver odour in the trunk of the car rented by the McCanns) because at the time of the conversation reported in the cable (28 September 2007), the Birmingham Forensic Services Lab had already stated that the blood traces did not correspond to Madeleine
       
    • Amaral has serious doubts as to the DNA results obtained in the Birmingham Forensic Services Laboratory
       
  • Evidence withheld?
     
    • In Amaral's opinion, the evidence Ambassador Ellis referred to "must be something else" - which the English police did not hand over to the PJ
       
    • Amaral's opinion is that the most probable hypothesis is with regard to David Payne
       
  • David Payne
     
    • In 2005 in Majorca, David Payne allegedly rubbed his nipple and put his finger in his mouth while looking at Madeleine, suggesting a sexual act and asking Gerry if his daughter did that
       
    • This act was witnessed by English doctor [Gaspar} who informed the British police on 16 May 2007
       
    • The PJ only learned of this in October 2007 when Paulo Rebelo's group went to England to question the Tapas 7
       
    • David Payne was the only one of the group who was heard by the British Police without the presence of the Portuguese police
       
    • Payne was the last person, beside the McCanns, to Madeleine alive
       
    • Payne allegedly liked to bathe the children
       
  • Amaral told CM that he is gathering together new evidence in order to force the reopening of the investigation
     
     
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , , , , ,


Gonçalo de Sousa Amaral


Gonçalo de Sousa Amaral
Author Profile



(Google Translation)
Gonçalo Amaral de Sousa was born on 2 October 1959 in the village of Torredeita near Viseu. He studied engineering at ISEL and IST. In 1992/1997 he studied at night time, the Law School of Lisbon, has a degree in Legal Science and Criminal. He joined the Administrative Service in 1973, aged 14.

In November 1981 started the training course for officers of the Judicial Police, having taken office in 1982 as an Agent. In 1997/1998 he attended the course of Sub-Inspectors of the PJ, being ranked first among 100 students. In 2000/2001 he completed the course coordinators PJ. Held office in Lisbon, Algarve and the Azores.

For years he pursued, effectively, all sorts of violent and organized crime: thefts, robberies, murders, drug trafficking. He had a spotless career, widely recognized by colleagues and superiors, as well as judges and prosecutors, by court officials and lawyers, who had the pleasure of dealing for many years.

Its maxim that "justice is done in silence." Operational Coordinator of the investigations was the 'Maddie case', between 3 May and 2 October 2007, having then been removed from the investigation, an act unprecedented in the history of the Judicial Police.

He retired on July 1, 2008, after 27 years of his police career in order to restore the fullness of their freedom of expression on the case investigating and contributing to the extent possible, to establish the truth and material achievement of justice.

It is considered a birth by Beira, Algarve Lisbon by migration and by adoption. (My guess is that this is more correctly translated to mean something close to "He considers himself a resident of Beira by birth and of Lisbon and the Algarve by migration and adoption.")

He is married and has three daughters.

ORIGINAL PORTUGUESE TEXT:
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , ,


Amaral on Wikileaks release regarding McCanns


Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , , , ,


British police helped develop evidence against Madeline McCann's parents


14 December 2010
WikiLeaks: British police helped 'develop evidence' against Madeline McCann's parents
Daily Telegraph
Nick Britten

British police helped the Portuguese authorities 'develop evidence' against Madeleine McCann's parents, according to the latest revelations by WikiLeaks.


Leicestershire police acted as a liaison between their Portuguese counterparts and the McCanns

The website claims that two weeks after Kate and Gerry McCann were formally declared as “arguidos” – people of specific interest to the investigation, or suspects – a meeting took place between the US ambassador, Al Hoffman, and the British ambassador, Alexander Wykeham Ellis.

In a diplomatic cable marked confidential, the US ambassador reported:
"Without delving into the details of the case, Ellis admitted that the British police had developed the current evidence against the McCann parents, and he stressed that authorities from both countries were working co-operatively."
The comments attributed to the ambassador throw fresh light on the case built against the McCanns, which was widely believed to have been driven by the Portuguese police, and in particular the extent of the involvement of the British police and authorities.

Led by a unit at Leicestershire police, their main involvement with the inquiry was acting as liaison between their Portuguese counterparts and the McCanns, and gathering evidence of suspected sightings or other allegations that were called in by British residents or citizens living abroad.

However, at least one sniffer dog was used in the investigation and, according to reports, was said to have picked up the scent of a dead body in the apartment.

In November 2007 – two months after the ambassadors’ alleged discussion – Portuguese and British police came face to face for the first time since Madeleine’s disappearance six months earlier from her hotel complex in the Algarve village of Praia da Luz, for three days of talks in Leicester.

In one heated meeting, it is believed that the Portuguese police were furious that DNA tests taken from the McCanns’ hire car and analysed at the Forensic Science Services laboratory near Birmingham, failed to show anything conclusive.

In one of two cables referring to the case, the US ambassador wrote:
"Madeleine McCann's disappearance in the south of Portugal in May 2007 has generated international media attention with controversy surrounding the Portuguese-led police investigation and the actions of Madeleine's parents."
He reported that his British counterpart thought
"that the media frenzy was to be expected and was acceptable as long as government officials keep their comments behind closed doors".
It was not until 21 July 2008 that the Portuguese authorities shelved their investigation and lifted the McCann’s arguido status.

Yesterday a spokesman for the McCanns said:
"This is an entirely historic note that is more than three years old. Subsequently, Kate and Gerry had their arguido status lifted, with the Portuguese authorities making it perfectly clear that there was absolutely no evidence to implicate them in Madeleine's disappearance whatsoever.

"To this day, they continue to work tirelessly on the search for their daughter, co-operating when appropriate with both the Portuguese and British authorities."
A spokesman for Leicestershire police said that their involvement in the investigation was limited to coordinating UK-based inquiries on behalf of the Portuguese authorities.
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , , ,


British police helped build case against McCanns


British police helped build case against McCanns
WikiLeaks cable reveals British police helped Portuguese create Maddy cover-up allegation
14 December 2010
The First Post
Robin Henry

Although Portuguese police were always blamed by Kate and Gerry McCann for suggesting they were somehow involved in a cover-up over the disappearance of their daughter, Madeleine McCann, it now transpires that British police helped their opposite numbers on the Algarve build the case against the couple.

In the months following Madeleine's disappearance in May 2007, the Portuguese police were branded "imbeciles" by furious relatives of the McCanns, who later threatened to take legal action against the force after they were cleared.

The revelation that police in Britain "developed the evidence" that led to the McCanns being treated as formal suspect – or arguidos - comes with the latest leak of US embassy cables by WikiLeaks.

A cable detailing a meeting between the British ambassador to Lisbon, Alexander Wykeham Ellis, and US ambassador Al Hoffman, two weeks after the couple were declared arguidos in September 2007, is published today by the Guardian.

"Without delving into the details of the case, Ellis admitted that the British police had developed the current evidence against the McCann parents, and he stressed that authorities from both countries were working cooperatively," Hoffman said in the confidential report back to Washington.

Ellis also urged Hoffman to keep any comments regarding the case "behind closed doors".

The cable sheds new light on the fraught months following the disappearance of Madeleine from a holiday apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz.

At the time, the McCanns claimed that Portuguese police were turning their focus on them to protect the region's tourism and deflect attention away from their failure to find the three-year-old.

The couple were monitored and questioned by investigators, who believed that they had discovered sufficient forensic evidence to suggest that Maddy had died in their apartment, before being stowed away in a hire car.

The case against the parents was finally dropped in July 2008 and their daughter's disappearance remains a mystery.

A spokesman for the McCanns played down the significance of the WikiLeaks revelations, telling the Guardian:
"This is an entirely historic note that is more than three years old... Subsequently, Kate and Gerry had their arguido status lifted, with the Portuguese authorities making it perfectly clear that there was absolutely no evidence to implicate them in Madeleine's disappearance whatsoever."
Dozens of British police officers and forensic specialists were drafted in after Maddy's disappearance, but it is still not clear exactly what role they played.

A spokesman for the Leicester police, in the McCanns' home county, told the Guardian they simply coordinated the Portuguese investigation on a local level.
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , , ,


WikiLeaks: Gonçalo Amaral 'strange' having to talk ambassador to assign responsibility to the parents of Maddie


WikiLeaks: Gonçalo Amaral "strange " having to talk ambassador to assign "responsibility" to the parents of Maddie (w / audio)
13 December 2010
Agência Lusa - Serviço Internacional


[Portuguese to English translation - Google]

Gonçalo Amaral, former investigator of the Judicial Police, said today that it is "strange" that an ambassador is necessary to speak of evidence "to give some truth to the parents' responsibility in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann" and hopes the satellite images disclose WikiLeaks .

"I accompanied the research, know what is there and know what needs work and know there's responsibility in the disappearance, I have no doubt about it," said Goncalo Amaral, former coordinator of the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann Praia da Luz in the Algarve in May 2007.

The author of the book "Maddie - The Truth Lies" spoke to the agency Lusa, after the WikiLeaks site have revealed a confidential telegram from the British ambassador in Lisbon in 2007, has admitted that its U.S. counterpart in the Portuguese capital that British police had been to find evidence against Madeleine's parents.

However, Goncalo Amaral insists that "was not the British police who arrived at these conclusions." "I do not know what evidence is that the British ambassador was referring when he spoke with U.S. ambassador. Now, there are strong indications that the responsibility of parents there, and were collected by Portuguese police in cooperation with the British police" he guaranteed.

Gonçalo Amaral also expects the WikiLeaks "get satellite images so long awaited."

The telegram, published today by the Spanish newspaper El Pais, is dated September 28, 2007 and refers to a meeting between the two diplomats held in Lisbon on September 21.

Among several other issues, including Russia and Zimbabwe, diplomats discussed the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in the Algarve in May of that year, at a time when it had great media attention on the subject.

"No further details of the case Ellis [British Ambassador] admitted that British police had developed the current evidence against McCann parents, noting that the authorities of both countries [Portugal and the United Kingdom] were cooperating," writes the U.S. ambassador American in the telegram.

The British law also admitted to U.S. diplomat that the media attention was expected and "acceptable" since "the government officials keep their comments to the closed door."


ORIGINAL IN PORTUGUESE:

Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , ,


British police 'developed' McCann case


UK police 'developed' case against McCanns: British police 'developed' McCann case
Ben Quinn
14 December 2010
The Guardian



British police helped to "develop evidence" against Madeleine McCann's parents as they were investigated by Portuguese police as formal suspects in the disappearance of their daughter, the US ambassador to Portugal was told by his British counterpart in September 2007.

The meeting between US ambassador Al Hoffman and the British ambassador, Alexander Wykeham Ellis, took place a fortnight after Kate and Gerry McCann were formally declared arguidos, or suspects, by Portuguese police. The McCanns have said that there was "absolutely no evidence to implicate them in Madeleine's disappearance whatsoever."

In a diplomatic cable marked confidential, the US ambassador reported: "Without delving into the details of the case, Ellis admitted that the British police had developed the current evidence against the McCann parents, and he stressed that authorities from both countries were working co-operatively."

The comments attributed to the ambassador appear to contradict the widespread perception at the time that Portuguese investigators were the driving force behind the treatment of the McCanns as suspects in the case.

The disclosure comes as WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange returns to court today in an attempt to secure bail following his arrest last week at the request of Swedish authorities who want to interview him over allegations of sexual assault. A number of other cables released by the whistleblowers' website shed new light on aspects of the financial crisis. Revelations include:

* RBS chairman Sir Philip Hampton said the board of the bank breached their "fiduciary responsibilities" by allowing the takeover of the Dutch bank ABN Amro.

* The Bank of England governor, Mervyn King, was so worried about the health of the banks that he proposed a secret international fund to recapitalise them six months before the collapse of Lehman Brothers.

* US officials expressed doubts in October 2008 over whether Ireland appreciated how much trouble its banks were in.

In one of two cables referring to the McCann case, the US ambassador notes: "Madeleine McCann's disappearance in the south of Portugal in May 2007 has generated international media attention with controversy surrounding the Portuguese-led police investigation and the actions of Madeleine's parents."

He reported that his British counterpart thought "that the media frenzy was to be expected and was acceptable as long as government officials keep their comments behind closed doors".

It was not until 21 July 2008 that the Portuguese authorities shelved their investigation and lifted the arguido status of the McCanns.

Responding to the contents of the cable, a spokesman for the McCanns told the Guardian: "This is an entirely historic note that is more than three years old. Subsequently, Kate and Gerry had their arguido status lifted, with the Portuguese authorities making it perfectly clear that there was absolutely no evidence to implicate them in Madeleine's disappearance whatsoever.

"To this day, they continue to work tirelessly on the search for their daughter, co-operating when appropriate with both the Portuguese and British authorities."

British authorities had substantial involvement in the investigation launched after Madeleine disappeared in May 2007 from the holiday apartment where the McCanns had left their three children in bed before joining friends at a nearby restaurant in the Algarve village of Praia da Luz. At least one British sniffer dog was used in the investigation and, according to reports, was said to have picked up the scent of a dead body in the apartment.

In 2008, when a dossier detailing investigations by Portuguese police was made public, it emerged British scientists had warned that DNA tests on a sample from the McCanns' holiday hire car were inconclusive days before they were made suspects. It is known that the Forensic Science Service analysed material sent to Britain by Portuguese police. A spokesman for Leicestershire police said their involvement in the investigation was limited to co-ordinating UK-based inquiries on behalf of the Portuguese authorities.
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , ,


British Ambassador confirmed the guilt of the McCanns in Maddie’s death


WikiLeaks: British Ambassador has confirmed the guilt of the death of Maddie McCann
13 December 2010
ABOLA.pt
[Translated by Ines on Maddie Case Files]


The Spanish newspaper “El País” this evening Spreads information about the Maddie Case, the English girl who disappeared from the Algarve on 3rd May 2007. According to WikiLeaks the British police have evidence of the guilt of the parents, Gerry and Kate.

According to the on-line edition of the Spanish newspaper, only one of the 250 thousand telegrams from WikiLeaks mentions Madeleine McCann, the British girl who disappeared from the the Algarve on 3rd May 2007.

In a confidential despatch, allegedly sent from Lisbon on 29th September, the British Ambassador Alexander Ellis is referred to as having given knowledge to his north American counter part that the English police had evidence against the parents of Maddie, Kate and Gerry.

Ellis also told that that the police forces from both countries were working together and revealed that his mission was to keep the case secret together with the Portuguese government.

The British Ambassador admitted that Kate and Gerry left Portugal after the British sniffer dogs discovered traces of body fluids from the girl, in the apartment as well as in the hire car.

ORIGINAL PORTUGUESE:

Continue Reading... Labels: , , ,


It was not the English police that arrived at these conclusions


“It was not the English police that arrived at these conclusions” Gonçalo Amaral
13 December 2010
Abola.pt
(Translated by Ines on the Maddie Case Files forum)

Gonçalo Amaral, former Pj investigator and author of the book “Maddie- The Truth of the Lie” has already commented on the WikiLeaks news, which raises suspicions about the responsibilities of the McCann couple in the disappearance of Madeleine.

Gonçalo Amaral states that he finds it “strange” that it is necessary for an Ambassador to speak of evidence “in order to give some veracity to the McCanns’ responsibility.
“I accompanied the investigation, I know what is there and I know that there was responsibility in the disappearance, I have no doubt about his” added Gonçalo Amaral, who coordinated all of the investigation in May 2007 in Praia da Luz.

Even so, Gonçalo Amaral denies that the conclusions are those of the British authorities.

“It was not the English police that arrived at these conclusions. I do not know to what evidence the English Ambassador is referring when he spoke to the US Ambassador. Now there are strong indications of responsibilities from the countries, and which were collected by the Portuguese police in cooperation with the English police” explained Gonçalo Amaral, who now hopes that WikiLeaks will” reveal the satellite imagery that has been stored for some time, from the site of the presumed abduction.

ORIGINAL PORTUGUESE TEXT:

Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , ,


Gonçalo Amaral / Wikileaks


Diário de Notícias
13 December 2010
(Translated by Ines on Maddie Case Files Forum)

WikiLeaks:

Gonçalo Amaral finds it strange that it is precisely the Ambassador who speaks to attribute “responsibility” to Maddie’s parents.

Lisbon, 13 December (Lusa) --

Gonçalo Amaral, ex-investigator of the Polícia Judiciária, today stated that it is “strange” that it would be necessary for an Ambassador to speak of evidence “in order to give some veracity to the parents in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann” and hopes that WikiLeaks will reveal the satellite imagery.

“I accompanied the investigation, I know what there is, what needs to be done and I know that there is responsibility in the disappearance, I have no doubt as regards to this”, stated Gonçalo Amaral, the ex-coordinator of the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, from Praia da Luz, in May 2007.
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , ,


UK cops 'developed' McCann evidence


UK cops 'developed' McCann evidence
Daily Express
14 December 2010


British police helped "develop" evidence against Madeleine McCann's parents as they were investigated by Portuguese authorities looking into their daughter's disappearance, according to diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks.

Britain's ambassador to Portugal, Alexander Wykeham Ellis, reportedly made the claim to his American counterpart on September 21, 2007 - two weeks after Portuguese police named Gerry and Kate McCann as "arguidos", or formal suspects, in the case.

In a cable to Washington, US Ambassador Al Hoffman wrote: "Madeleine McCann's disappearance in the south of Portugal in May 2007 has generated international media attention with controversy surrounding the Portuguese-led police investigation and the actions of Madeleine's parents.

"Without delving into the details of the case, Ellis admitted that the British police had developed the current evidence against the McCann parents, and he stressed that authorities from both countries were working co-operatively.

"He commented that the media frenzy was to be expected and was acceptable as long as government officials keep their comments behind closed doors."

The cable does not specify what evidence British police are alleged to have gathered, or whether UK investigators were involved in the decision to formally name the McCanns as suspects.

They remained under official suspicion until July 2008 when Portuguese police shelved the investigation into Madeleine's disappearance and lifted the McCann's status as arguidos.

The three-year-old went missing from an apartment in the Algarve on May 3, 2007 while her parents dined with friends in a nearby restaurant.

Speaking at the time the suspect status was lifted, Mrs McCann said:
"It is hard to describe how utterly despairing it was to be named arguidos and subsequently portrayed in the media as suspects in our own daughter's abduction."

A spokesman for the McCanns [named in other articles as Clarence Mitchell] said:
"This is an entirely historic note that is more than three years old. Subsequently, Kate and Gerry had their arguido status lifted, with the Portuguese authorities making it perfectly clear that there was absolutely no evidence to implicate them in Madeleine's disappearance whatsoever. To this day, they continue to work tirelessly on the search for their daughter, co-operating when appropriate with both the Portuguese and British authorities."

[Note, as is the pattern - the earlier Press Association Newswire is basically quoted verbatim.]
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , , ,


British police 'developed evidence' against McCanns


US embassy cables: British police 'developed evidence' against McCanns, Washington told
Guardian
13 December 2010
Cable dated 28 September 2007




Friday, 28 September 2007, 15:36
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LISBON 002527
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR XXXXXXXXXXXX
EO 12958 DECL: 09/25/2017
TAGS PGOV, PREL, OFDP">OFDP, PO">PO">PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL: UK AMBASSADOR ON ENERGY SECURITY,
RUSSIA, EU-AFRICA SUMMIT, AND MCCANN CASE
Classified By: XXXXXXXXXXXX FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(D)

SUMMARY

-------

1. (C) On September 21, newly-arrived British Ambassador Alexander Wykeham Ellis informed Ambassador Hoffman that European concerns over Russia's aggressive energy policies and the need for market competition were the driving forces behind the third EU energy liberalization package. He suggested that Russia's position with its neighbors was guided by a self-proclaimed right to do "what it wants, when it wants" in its own neighborhood.

Regarding Robert Mugabe's participation in the proposed EU-Africa Summit, Ellis said the UK would not discourage other member states from participating if PM Brown stayed away. He doubted, however, if the Dutch, Irish, or Swedish would attend in Brown's absence.

Ellis also noted that it was the British police that developed the current evidence against Madeleine McCann's parents in the high-profile case that has captured international attention.

He informed the Ambassador that former British Ambassador John Buck had accepted a private-sector position at a UK gas company and that his departure had nothing to do with bilateral issues. END SUMMARY

RUSSIA'S ENERGY GAME IS COMING TO AN END

----------------------------------------

2. (C) According to Ellis, European concerns over Russia's aggressive energy policies and the need for increased market competition were the driving forces behind the third EU energy liberalization package. He called Russia the greatest threat to European energy security and described its energy policies as a "game that's coming to an end." He argued that Gazprom's sustainability depends on the European distribution network and that Putin, who is "always trying to make a point to Europe," knew and understood this reality. Quoting a statement he had heard elsewhere, Ellis described Russia as "too strong, too weak"; suggesting that it was a bipolar society divided by feelings of strength and empowerment and internal fears of national failure.

RUSSIA, THE BIG BAD NEIGHBOR

----------------------------

3. (C) When questioned about Kosovo and Russia's relationship with its neighbors, Ellis suggested that Russia's position (on Kosovo) was driven by a self-proclaimed right to do "what it wants, when it wants" in its own neighborhood. Ellis did not believe that Russia had high regard for Serbia or any of its other neighbors, but rather it feared outside influences in the region. Reflecting on his position as Director of the EU Enlargement Team in London (2001-2003), Ellis noted that completing the 2004 EU enlargement phase had been difficult, and hypothesized that if the Russia of now were the Russia of then, the process would have been nearly impossible.

MUGABE...AND THE OTHER BAD GUYS

-------------------------------

4. (C) According to Ellis, the UK's position on Zimbabwe has not changed; if Robert Mugabe showed up, then Gordon Brown would not. However, he could not confirm if the British government would send any representatives. While he claimed that the UK had steered away from discouraging other member stated from attending, he noted the possibility that the Dutch, Irish, and Swedish leaders may follow Brown's lead. Regarding Chavez and Ahmadinejad, Ellis commented that Portugal's approach was centered on "engagement" -- even with the so-called bad guys. Ambassador Hoffman countered that "irrational people cannot be expected to behave rationally." While acknowledging that the US position was justifiable, Ellis responded that there were sensitivities at play for Portugal, especially regarding Venezuela. (Note: There are approximately a half-million Portuguese living in Venezuela. End Note)

THE MADELEINE MCCANN CASE

-------------------------

5. (C) Madeleine McCann's disappearance in the south of Portugal in May 2007 has generated international media attention with controversy surrounding the Portuguese-led police investigation and the actions of Madeleine's parents.

Without delving into the details of the case, Ellis admitted that the British police had developed the current evidence against the McCann parents, and he stressed that authorities from both countries were working cooperatively.

He commented that the media frenzy was to be expected and was acceptable as long as government officials keep their comments behind closed doors.

BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

-----------------------------------------

LISBON 00002527 002 OF 002
6. (SBU)

Ellis, a former school teacher, joined Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1990 and moved progressively up the chain to Ambassador. Lisbon was his first foreign tour as a diplomat, followed by postings in Brussels, Madrid and London.

He has also served as Director of the EU Enlargement Team in London (2001-2003) and as adviser on energy policies and trade issues (2005-2007) under EC President Jose Barroso.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Ellis informed Ambassador Hoffman that former British Ambassador John Buck had accepted a private-sector position with a British gas company and that his abrupt departure in August 2007 had nothing to do with bilateral issues.

XXXXXXXXXXXX
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , , ,


WikiLeaks: British police found evidence against the parents of Maddie - U.S. telegram


WikiLeaks: British police found evidence against the parents of Maddie - U.S. telegram
13 December 2010
Agência Lusa - Serviço Internacional


Madrid, 13 (AP) - Alexander Wykeham Ellis, British ambassador in Lisbon in 2007, admitted to his U.S. counterpart in the Portuguese capital, Alfred Hoffman, who had been the British police to find evidence against Madeleine's parents, according a confidential telegram.

The telegram, published today by the Spanish newspaper El Pais, is dated September 28, 2007 and refers to a meeting between the two diplomats held in Lisbon on September 21.

Among several other issues, including Russia and Zimbabwe, diplomats discussed the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in the Algarve in May of that year, at a time when it had great media attention on the subject.

"No further details of the case Ellis admitted that British police had developed the current evidence against McCann parents, noting that the authorities of both countries [Portugal and the United Kingdom] were cooperating, "writes the ambassador described as the telegram "confidential.

The British law also admitted to U.S. diplomat that the media attention was expected and "acceptable" since "the government officials keep their comments to the closed door. "

The newspaper El Pais reports that this is the only telegram - the range of 250 000 obtained by WikiLeaks organization - which mentions the case of Madeleine's disappearance from Praia da Luz.

ORIGINAL IN PORTUGUESE:

Continue Reading... Labels: , , ,


UK cops 'developed' evidence against McCanns - Wikileaks


13 December 2010
UK POLICE 'DEVELOPED' EVIDENCE AGAINST McCANNS - WIKILEAKS
By Raf Sanchez, Press Association
13 December 2010
03:28 PM
Press Association National Newswire


British police helped "develop" evidence against Madeleine McCann's parents as they were investigated by Portuguese authorities looking into their daughter's disappearance, according to diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks.

Britain's ambassador to Portugal, Alexander Wykeham Ellis, reportedly made the claim to his American counterpart on September 21, 2007 - two weeks after Portuguese police named Gerry and Kate McCann as "arguidos", or formal suspects, in the case.

In a cable to Washington, US Ambassador Al Hoffman wrote:

"Madeleine McCann's disappearance in the south of Portugal in May 2007 has generated international media attention with controversy surrounding the Portuguese-led police investigation and the actions of Madeleine's parents.

"Without delving into the details of the case, Ellis admitted that the British police had developed the current evidence against the McCann parents, and he stressed that authorities from both countries were working cooperatively.

"He commented that the media frenzy was to be expected and was acceptable as long as government officials keep their comments behind closed doors."

The cable does not specify what evidence British police are alleged to have gathered, or whether UK investigators were involved in the decision to formally name the McCanns as suspects.

They remained under official suspicion until July 2008 when Portuguese police shelved the investigation into Madeleine's disappearance and lifted the McCann's status as arguidos.

The three-year-old went missing from an apartment in the Algarve on May 3, 2007 while her parents dined with friends in a nearby restaurant.

Speaking at the time the suspect status was lifted, Mrs McCann said:
"It is hard to describe how utterly despairing it was to be named arguidos and subsequently portrayed in the media as suspects in our own daughter's abduction."

A spokesman for the McCanns said:
"This is an entirely historic note that is more than three years old. Subsequently, Kate and Gerry had their arguido status lifted, with the Portuguese authorities making it perfectly clear that there was absolutely no evidence to implicate them in Madeleine's disappearance whatsoever. To this day, they continue to work tirelessly on the search for their daughter, co-operating when appropriate with both the Portuguese and British authorities."
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , ,


Madeleine McCann case pushes EU to act on child abductions


US embassy cables: Madeleine McCann case pushes EU to act on child abductions
13 December 2010
Guardian


Thursday, 11 October 2007, 13:48
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LISBON 002605
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EO 12958 N/A
TAGS KJUS, MOPS, PO">PO">PO, PREL, PTER, EUN
SUBJECT: EU JHA INFORMAL MINISTERIAL

1. Summary. EU Justice and Home Affairs ministers met informally in Lisbon October 1-2. An embassy officer attended to follow discussion of such topics as the elimination of land and sea travel barriers in December, the establishment of a counternarcotics analysis and operations center, the submission of a package of counterterrorism proposals by Vice President Frattini in November, the submission of a package of border control proposals by Frattini in February, and the establishment of a missing children alert system based on the U.S. Amber Alert. End summary.

Justice and Home Affairs Informal Ministerial

---------------------------------------------

2. European Union Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Ministers held an informal ministerial in Lisbon October 1-2, chaired by Portuguese Minister of Internal Administration Rui Pereira and Minister for Justice Alberto Costa. Representatives from relevant EU institutions, Vice President of the European Commission Franco Frattini, and the Turkish Minister for Justice Mehmet Ali Sahin also participated. An embassy officer attended the proceedings to hear public statements first-hand and to engage attendees on the margins.

3. As a lead-in to the meetings, on September 30 participating member states formally signed the protocol to establish the Maritime Analysis and Operations Center - Narcotics (MAOC-N). Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom founded the center to share intelligence and coordinate counternarcotics efforts. The U.S., though not formally a member, has liaison officers assigned to the MAOC.

4. Also on the agenda but in advance of the informal ministerial meetings, the Spanish and Portuguese Interior Ministers held a bilateral meeting in which they established a task force to coordinate counterterrorism investigations and prosecutions. Pereira noted that although bilateral cooperation had long existed, the task force was established to be more proactive in regard to investigations and cooperation. During the proceedings, Portugal also signed a bilateral agreement with Malta to resettle refugees in Portugal that are currently resident in Malta.

Home Affairs - Prevention of Terrorism and Border Management

--------------------------------------------- ---------------

5. SIS/VIS: Frattini and Pereira both noted that by Christmas, all land and sea barriers in the Schengen area will be removed for nine participating Schengen states, Cyprus having requested an extension. Air travel barriers, he said, would be removed in March. Noting that the Schengen Information System (SIS) has succeeded in its testing phase, Frattini suggested that the formal decision to implement the new rules will be taken in November. Frattini also suggested that the EU must have an entry-exit register complete with biometric identifiers. This would, he opined, help manage overstays as well as be a useful data source for security services. Additionally, he noted that various databases and security systems need to be integrated and expanded to include travelers without visas. Moreover, such a European surveillance system must be accessible to local law enforcement. An aide to Frattini said that this package of proposals would be submitted to the college of Commissioners in February.

6. PNR/ETA: Frattini said he would submit a terrorism package to the Commissioners November 6 that includes a proposal to establish formally an EU-wide Passenger Name Recognition (PNR) system. He noted that the requirements demanded by U.S. negotiators convinced him that the European security services should have access to the same kind of information. Pereira and German Minister Schauble suggested that, in addition to the intelligence value, a PNR system would allow the EU to negotiate with the U.S. on an equal footing and would allow for balanced cooperation. Pereira said he would also support a PNR for intra-European flights. Schauble said further discussion on that point would be needed. Frattini and Schauble both noted that electronic travel authorizations (ETA) are useful not just for improving security, but also improving the customer service at airports. With ever increasing crowds at airports, Schauble noted that it is in a traveler's interest to participate in a voluntary ETA program.

7. Internet: Frattini will also submit a proposal to punish misuse of the internet. This will not, he stressed, be a limit on the freedom of expression. Pereira noted that the proposal would be limited to taking down sites that specifically incite terrorism or provide instruction in how

LISBON 00002605 002 OF 002

to commit terrorist acts. Indeed, added Frattini, the EU already has a regulation that prohibits transfer of illegal data on the internet, without causing concerns of limitation of freedom of speech. This proposal, he continued, would only add the specific mention of terrorism. Such an update, he opined, is a good example of why the EU needs regularly to review and update its bodies of law.

8. Conspiracy: Pereira noted that Italian Minister Amato suggested that the ministers consider developing an EU agreement to incorporate conspiracy statutes into existing law. Current legislation is directed towards formal terrorist organizations, which does not adequately address current realities. Italy, and a few other states, punish conspiracy without being part of a formal organization; Pereira and Frattini each enthusiastically supported the idea that the EU consider the question.

9. Pruhm Treaty: Slovenian Interior Minister Dragutin Mate suggested that, agreement being reached, it was incumbent on Slovenia to develop the technical handbooks for implementation.

Justice

-------

10. e-Justice Portal: Costa issued a statement that ministers agreed that the EU should have an information technology system to facilitate access to member states' judicial systems and registry systems. Member states will compile best practices on IT and regularly review performance.

11. Missing Children Alert: Frattini used the well-known case of Madeleine McCann, a missing British girl, to lay out his intention to develop an EU wide alert system for missing children. Frattini specifically and repeatedly mentioned the Amber Alert system in the U.S. as the model that the EU needed to copy. In addition, the e-Justice Portal, according to Costa, will include a list of missing children and direct users to appropriate Hague Convention resources.


12. Child Protection: Costa also noted that the ministers agreed to expand the role of the European Mediator for international child abductions and to support the strengthening and implementation of laws related to child protection. Hoffman
Continue Reading... Labels: , , ,


Madeleine's Telegram- historical note says spokesman


WikiLeaks: Madeleine's Telegram on "historical note", not today - a spokesman for the McCanns
13 December 2010
Agência Lusa - Serviço Internacional


[Portuguese to English translation - Google]

London, November 13 (AFP) - A spokesman for the McCanns today devalued the reference by the then British ambassador to Portugal that had been the British police to find evidence against Madeleine's parents, considering it a "historical footnote completely" , out of date.

Reference is made in a conversation between Allexander Wykeham Ellis, British ambassador in Lisbon in 2007, and U.S. counterpart in the Portuguese capital, Alfred Hoffman, who reported that a confidential diplomatic telegram today revealed by the Spanish newspapers El Pais and the Guardian.

Dated September 28, 2007, the document refers to a meeting between the two diplomats, on 21 September in Lisbon, where they discussed, among many themes, Russia, Zimbabwe and the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, in Algarve in May of that year, at a time when it had great media attention on the subject.

"No further details of the case Ellis admitted that British police had developed the current evidence against McCann parents, noting that the authorities of both countries [Portugal and the United Kingdom] were cooperating," writes the ambassador described as the telegram " confidential.

The British law also admitted to U.S. ambassador to the attention of the press was expected and "acceptable" since "the government officials keep their comments to the closed door."

In comments to Lusa news agency today, the spokesman for the McCanns said: "This is quite a historical note that has more than three years" and must be read taking into account the context in which it occurred.

Clarence Mitchell recalled that since then, "Kate and Gerry have seen their status as defendants raised with the authorities to make it perfectly clear that there was absolutely no evidence that would imply the disappearance of Madeleine."

"To this day, continue to work endlessly in search of their daughter, when it is appropriate to collaborate with both the British and Portuguese authorities," he concluded.

Madeleine McCann disappeared a few days before doing 4 years, 3 May 2007, the room where he was sleeping with her twin brothers, the youngest, in an apartment in a resort in Praia da Luz, Algarve.

Parents Kate and Gerry McCann, dined at that time with a group of English friends in a restaurant about 50 meters from the apartment.

The child's mother, Kate, and father, Gerry McCann, were made defendants by the Portuguese authorities in July 2007.

But the July 21, 2008, the Attorney General's Office announced the filing of the suspicions against the couple and a third suspect, Robert Murat.

Also in 2007 created a fund to finance the search, which has paid the ex-police to investigate, but the parents of Maddie regret not having access to "all information that the authorities in the UK and Portugal have."

The newspaper El Pais reports that this is the only telegram - the range of 250 000 obtained by WikiLeaks organization - which mentions the case of Madeleine's disappearance from Praia da Luz, but the Guardian mentions the existence of two post offices where the subject is reviewed.

ORIGINAL IN PORTUGUESE:

Continue Reading... Labels: , , , ,


UK police 'developed' McCann evidence


13 December 2010
Wikileaks cables: UK police 'developed' McCann evidence
BBC
Kate and Gerry McCann Kate and Gerry McCann were at one stage official suspects in the Portuguese investigation

UK police helped "develop" evidence against Madeleine McCann's parents, according to the latest US diplomatic cables published by Wikileaks.

The American ambassador to Portugal, Al Hoffman, said the claim was made by his British counterpart, Alexander Wykeham Ellis, at a meeting in September 2007.

The cable did not specify what evidence was alleged to have been gathered.

The McCanns said Portuguese authorities had subsequently said there was no evidence against them.
'Media frenzy'

Details of the cable, which was sent to Washington by the US ambassador, have been published in the Guardian newspaper.

Mr Hoffman wrote: "Madeleine McCann's disappearance in the south of Portugal in May 2007 has generated international media attention with controversy surrounding the Portuguese-led police investigation and the actions of Madeleine's parents.

"Without delving into the details of the case, Ellis admitted that the British police had developed the current evidence against the McCann parents, and he stressed that authorities from both countries were working co-operatively.

"He commented that the media frenzy was to be expected and was acceptable as long as government officials keep their comments behind closed doors."
'Historic note'

Madeleine McCann was aged three when she disappeared from a holiday apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz in May 2007.

Her parents Kate and Gerry McCann had official status as suspects, or arguido, until the Portuguese authorities shelved their investigation in July 2008.

A spokesman for the McCanns said:
"This is an entirely historic note that is more than three years old.

"Subsequently, Kate and Gerry had their arguido status lifted, with the Portuguese authorities making it perfectly clear that there was absolutely no evidence to implicate them in Madeleine's disappearance whatsoever.

"To this day, they continue to work tirelessly on the search for their daughter, co-operating when appropriate with both the Portuguese and British authorities."

The details are contained in the latest in a series confidential US diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks to appear in the Guardian and several other newspapers around the world.
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , , , ,


Maddie - A Verdade da Mentira (Truth of the Lie) returned to publisher


Joana Morais
9 December 2010


The 'formerly banned by the McCann couple' book, whose trustee, Isabel Duarte, the couple's lawyer affirmed that “nothing will force her to return them”, in spite of a Superior Court ruling which obliged her to deliver the books to their rightful owner; have finally been returned to Guerra & Paz Editors. We, in this blog congratulate Guerra & Paz book publishers as well as the book author of “Maddie - A Verdade da Mentira”, Gonçalo Amaral, for fighting and for standing up against the machiavelic censorship attempt by a couple of former arguidos.

In stock and available for purchase here:  Guerra & Paz

[Note: Also see: Guardian Wikileak Blog

"Around 100 suggestions an hour are coming through from readers suggesting subjects to search for in the cables database. We've set up a small team to go through them and so far the results look promising. Several people suggested searching for information on Madeleine McCann, the British girl who went missing in Portugal in 2007, for example. She is indeed mentioned in at least two cables from the US embassy in Lisbon. No clues to her fate, unfortunately, but some interesting observations on the involvement of British police, which we'll relay once we've checked them out..."
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , ,


Truth be told


Welcome to YET ANOTHER branch off of "Winnowing the News".

I'm transferring all my research regarding the persecution of Dr. Goncalo Amaral from the main blog to this one. It is helpful for me to isolate certain topics I'm interested in and create these "branches" simply to keep myself organised.

Many excellent blogs already exist where you can find information about Amaral and the McCanns. (See the main link list on "Winnowing the News".)

My present goal is to dig for the origin of specific libelous comments regarding Goncalo Amaral, made by reporters as well as the McCanns and their supporters. I have already analysed the origin of the "drunken cop" rumors (HERE) and am now analysing the origin of the "disgraced detective" label, a favorite term used by everyone from the Press Association to the BBC.

The questions I am asking (and will answer) are:
  • On what basis do reporters make the claim that Goncalo Amaral is a "disgraced" detective?
      
  • What was the first article that declared he was "disgraced"?  Who wrote it?
     
  • Who are the individuals that have used the term or other disparaging adjectives?
     
  • How did they justify these labels? What background information was provided to explain the characterisation?
     
  • How has the public perception of Goncalo Amaral been impacted by the above?

  • What is the true meaning of "disgrace"?
      
  • Based on the true meaning of disgrace, are there valid examples of disgraceful conduct in the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann?
     
  • How have complaints been handled by editors, the Press Complaints Commission and other media watchdogs?
     

I have many saved articles to add here, many posts to re-format (due to bumps encountered when transferring posts from one blog to another) etc.

Please bear with me during the transition. I understand my blogs are not necessarily dynamic reading, but there is a reason for that. I'm more interested in archiving facts than I am in pontificating...although there are times when it is impossible not to have a rant or two over the slanderous persecution of a man who will not be silenced by lies.

Thanks,
Winnower
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , , ,


The English Gag


The English Gag
A Mordaça Inglesa
Gonçalo Amaral
Portuguese edition
The story of a forbidden book

Continue Reading... Labels: , , , ,


Maddie A Verdade da Mentira


Maddie A Verdade da Mentira
Editora Guerra & Paz

Continue Reading... Labels: , , ,


Timeline: Maddie: The Truth of the Lie



Timeline moved to a "static" page HERE
The online translation of "The Truth of the Lie" can be read  HERE.  

"The Truth of the Lie" was translated into English by "AnnaEsse". An official English translation is still intended by the book's publisher, however the McCann's court actions have delayed this. Their intention is to prevent  an official English translation as well as to have all existing unsold copies of the book destroyed.



See Joana Morais' Blog for more information.
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , ,


McCanns sign Madeleine book deal


Press Association
14 November 2010
Sam Marsden, Press Association Chief Reporter


Kate and Gerry McCann have signed a deal to write a book about the disappearance of their daughter Madeleine, their publishers announced today.

After a major bidding war, Transworld won the rights to the couple's account of how the little girl vanished on a family holiday to Portugal in 2007 and their efforts to find her.

All proceeds from the book will go to the McCanns' official fund to look for Madeleine, which had been in danger of running out next year.

Precise details of the publishing deal have not been released, but a source said it included a "substantial" advance and "enhanced royalties" giving the couple a bigger share of profits from sales.

The book, simply entitled Madeleine, will be published on April 28 next year to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the child's disappearance.

Mrs McCann, 42, said: "My reason for writing is simple - to give an account of the truth.

"Publishing this book has been a very difficult decision and is one that we have taken after much deliberation and with a very heavy heart.

"However, in the last few months, with the depletion of Madeleine's Fund, it is a decision that has virtually been taken out of our hands.

"Every penny we raise through its sales will be spent on our search for Madeleine. Nothing is more important to us than finding our little girl."

Her husband, also 42, added: "We are hopeful that this book may help the investigation to find Madeleine in other ways too.

"Our hope is that it may prompt those who have relevant information - knowingly or not - to come forward and share it with our team. Somebody holds that key piece of the jigsaw."

Transworld has acquired the rights to publish the book - which is being written by the McCanns themselves and is currently part-complete - in the UK, the Commonwealth and Europe.

The west London-based publisher is home to best-selling authors including The Da Vinci Code writer Dan Brown, fantasy novelist Terry Pratchett and theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking.

A source said the McCanns' book, which will have a recommended retail price of £20, was expected to be a big seller.

Transworld publisher Bill Scott-Kerr said: "It is an enormous privilege to be publishing this book.

"We are so pleased to be joining Kate and Gerry McCann in the Find Madeleine campaign."

Deals for newspaper serialisations and translations of the book are now expected to be negotiated.

The McCanns, from Rothley, Leicestershire, are fighting a legal battle against former Portuguese detective Goncalo Amaral over his book alleging that Madeleine died in the apartment and that her parents faked her abduction - something they strongly deny.

The appeal court in Lisbon last month overturned an injunction obtained by the couple banning publication of Mr Amaral's work, Maddie: The Truth Of The Lie.

But a source close to the McCanns said their decision to write their own book had nothing to do with rebutting Mr Amaral's allegations.

"It certainly hasn't been prompted by him," the source said.

Madeleine was nearly four when she vanished from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on May 3, 2007, as her parents dined with friends nearby.

Despite a massive police investigation and huge publicity worldwide, she has not been found.

The official Portuguese inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance was formally shelved in July 2008, although private detectives employed by the McCanns have continued the search.
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , , ,


The BBC "responds" to complaints


I am looking for other examples of responses to complaints regarding the news coverage of the McCanns vs Goncalo Amaral.  If anyone runs across them on forums or blogs, I would very much appreciate a "heads up".

Continue Reading... Labels: , , ,


News blackout continues in the UK and Ireland


Based on the history of the British / Irish media (who covered the McCann's initially successful attempt to silence Goncalo Amaral with relish and subsequently refused to publish the fact that the Lisbon Appeals court ruled to OVERTURN the ban on "The Truth of the Lie")  is it no surprise that we must turn to Portuguese news sources to stay updated?
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , , , ,


Index on Censorship


Index on Censorship
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7324 2522
Address:
Index on Censorship
Free Word Centre
60 Farringdon Road
London EC1R 3GA
UK


My email to Index on Censorship:
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , , , , ,


Isabel Duarte refusing to deliver books




Isabel Duarte is refusing to deliver ten thousand copies of "Maddie: The Truth of the Lie" as instructed by the Lisbon Appeals Court

"...Gonçalo Amaral’s book is not yet on the market. “And it will not be” said Isabel Duarte.  
“I am the faithful retainer of the book and whilst I am not forced to deliver it, I will not deliver it in any way. Until there is a final, definitive solution.”
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , ,


Goncalo Amaral Video Online Now


Goncalo Amaral Video Online HERE.  
English subtitles.

Text on site:
Continue Reading... Labels: , ,


Media complaints - contact information


Please click "read more" for contact information that may be useful to those of you who would like to make formal complaints about the media coverage of the McCann case.



COMPLAINTS:

Press Complaints Commission: United Kingdom
Sir Christopher Meyer (Chair); Tim Toulmin ( Director)
Halton House
20/23 High Holborn
London EC1N 2JD
Tel: 44 207 831 0022
Fax: 44 207 831 0025
Email: complaints@pcc.org.uk
  •  The PCC is an independent self-regulatory body which deals with complaints about the editorial content of newspapers and magazines (and their websites). They do not deal with complaints about TV and radio (Ofcom is the regulator for the broadcast industry)

  • The PCC deals with all editorially-controlled material in UK newspapers and magazines (and their websites).

  • The PCC suggests that citizens first attempt a direct approach to editors before considering a formal complaint to the PCC. Any such approach should be made promptly. If you do not receive a reply within a week - or if you are dissatisfied by the editor's response - PCC recommends that you write to them as soon as possible.

Office of the Press Ombudsman: Ireland
  • The Office of the Press Ombudsman is part of a new system of independent regulation for the printed media in Ireland.   Their aim is to provide the public with a quick, fair and free method of resolving any complaints they may have in relation to newspapers and magazines published in Ireland that are members of the Press Council of Ireland.
OFCOM Complaints about TV/Radio
  • Ofcom considers all complaints it receives and will assess any complaint against the Broadcasting Code. The Code contains the rules all UK broadcasters (including the BBC in certain areas) must comply with. Recent examples of Ofcom’s published decisions regarding a range of programmes.

  • Ofcom is the regulator for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services.
BBC Complaints 
  •  The BBC has its own complaints procedure for radio and television programmes. Ofcom can also deal with complaints about about editorial standards in radio and television broadcasts (but not online items or the World Service). Ofcom takes complaints about BBC issues except impartiality, inaccuracy and some commercial issues which remain the responsibility of the BBC Trust.

BBC Trust Complaints
  • Editorial complaints are complaints about the content of BBC output. If you want to make an editorial complaint you should complain to the BBC Executive. If you are not happy with your response from the BBC Executive you can appeal to the Trust.

Regulatory and advice bodies other than the PCC:

Alliance of Independent Press Councils of Europe (AIPCE) 
  • AIPCE is a loose network of content regulators for both the press and broadcast media in Europe.

Defence, Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee
  • The DA Notice system (which is overseen by the Defence, Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee), is a voluntary code that provides guidance to the British media on the publication or broadcasting of national security information.
Press Councils worldwide 
  • For information and contact details for Press Councils throughout the world.
Press Organisations

Association of Online Publishers
  • The UK Association of Online Publishers (AOP) is an industry body representing online publishing companies that create original, branded, quality content.
Editors' Code of Practice Committee
  • The Editors' Code of Practice Committee, writes and revises the voluntary code of standards overseen by the Press Complaints Commission. It also publishes the Editors' Codebook, a practical handbook for journalists and editors which explains the Code of Practice and the PCC's key rulings in detail.
Society of Editors
  • The Society of Editors has more than 400 members in national, regional and local newspapers, magazines, broadcasting and new media, journalism education and media law. It campaigns for media freedom, self regulation, the public's right to know and the maintenance of standards in journalism.
The Periodical Publishers Association (PPA)
  • The Periodical Publishers Association (PPA) is the trade association for UK magazine and B2B media publishers. PPA represents 300 publisher members, publishing 3,000 magazine titles, as well as exhibitions, directories and interactive products. Magazine and B2B media companies generate around £6.2bn of turnover, which is about 10 per cent of the combined turnover of the UK creative industries.
Newspaper Society (NS) 
  • The Newspaper Society represents and promotes the interests of Britain's regional and local press. It was founded in 1836 and is believed to be the oldest publishers' association in the world.
Scottish Newspaper Publishers Association (SNPA)
  • The Scottish Newspaper Publishers Association (SNPA) is the trade association representing publishers of 100 weekly and bi-weekly newspapers and a further 30 free distribution newspapers.
Citizen Advice Bureau
 Press Councils:

Australian Press Council
Julian Disney (Chair)
Jack Herman (Executive Secretary)
Suite 10.02
117 York Street
Sydney - NSW 2000
Tel: (612) 92 61 19 30
Fax: 612 92 67 68 26
Email: info@presscouncil.org.au
COMPLAINTS
  • The Australian Press Council was established in 1976 by an agreement between the publishers and the journalists' union to provide a forum through which members of the public could complain about the ethical performance of the print media. Its membership consisted, and consists, of members of the public, journalists and representatives of the publishers of metropolitan, suburban, regional and country newspapers and of the general interest magazines. 

High Authority for the Mass Media
(Portugal)
Alta autoridade para a comunicaçao social (AACS)
Mr Armando Torres Paulo (President); José Garibaldi (Vice-President)
Av. D. Carlos I, 130 - 6°
1200 Lisbon
Tel: 351 1 392 91 30
Fax: 351 1 395 14 49
Email: info@aacs.pt
  • Independent constitutional body for the regulation of the media in Portugal and it operates alongside the Assembly of the Republic. 
***

Press Council of Ireland Members
  • The Press Council has 13 members. Seven of these, including the Chairman, are drawn from suitably qualified persons representative of a broad spectrum of Irish society. The remaining six members of the Press Council provide senior editorial and journalistic expertise and perspectives reflective of the press industry. 
********************* (More information to follow)*********************
Continue Reading... Labels: , ,


Darshna Soni interview w/ McCanns


 

03 November 2010
Channel 4 News 

Transcript on "Headlines Today" courtesy of jjp
Continue Reading... Labels: , ,


McCanns demand action on missing Madeleine


3 November 2010
The Irish Examiner
Continue Reading... Labels: , , ,


Key events since Madeleine disappeared


Press Association Reporters
2 November 2010
Press Association National Newswire


Here is a timeline of the key events since Madeleine McCann's disappearance.

2007

:: May 3 - Kate and Gerry McCann, from Rothley, Leicestershire, leave their three children asleep in their holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in southern Portugal while they dine with friends at a nearby tapas restaurant.

Nothing is amiss when Mr McCann checks on the youngsters at just after 9pm, but when his wife goes back at about 10pm she finds three-year-old Madeleine missing.

Jane Tanner, one of the friends eating with the McCanns, later reports seeing a man carrying a child away earlier that night.

:: May 5 - Portuguese police reveal they believe Madeleine was abducted but is still alive and in Portugal, and say they have a sketch of a suspect.

:: May 14 - Detectives take Anglo-Portuguese property developer Robert Murat in for questioning and make him an "arguido", or official suspect.

Officers also search the home he shares with his mother in Praia Da Luz, just 100 yards from where the youngster was snatched.

:: May 25 - Portuguese detectives finally release the description of the man reported by Ms Tanner three weeks earlier following pressure from the McCanns, their legal team and the British Government.

:: May 30 - Mr and Mrs McCann meet the Pope in Rome in the first of a series of trips around Europe and beyond to highlight the search for their daughter.

:: August 6 - A Portuguese newspaper reports that British sniffer dogs have found traces of blood on a wall in the McCanns' holiday apartment.

:: August 11 - Exactly 100 days after Madeleine disappeared, investigating officers publicly acknowledge for the first time that she could be dead.

:: September 7 - During further questioning of Mr and Mrs McCann, detectives make them both "arguidos" in their daughter's disappearance.

:: September 9 - The McCanns fly back to England with their two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie.

:: October 2 - Goncalo Amaral, the detective in charge of the inquiry, is removed from the case after criticising the British police in a Portuguese newspaper interview.

:: October 25 - The McCanns release a new artist's impression drawn by an FBI-trained expert showing the man described by Ms Tanner.

2008

:: May 3 - A tearful Mrs McCann urges people to "pray like mad" for Madeleine as she and her family mark the first anniversary of the little girl's disappearance.

:: July 21 - The Portuguese authorities shelve their investigation and lift the "arguido" status of the McCanns and Mr Murat.

:: July 24 - Mr Amaral publishes a book about the case, entitled The Truth Of The Lie, in which he alleges that the young girl died in her family's holiday flat on the day she went missing.

:: August 4 - Thousands of pages of evidence from the Portuguese police files in the exhaustive investigation into Madeleine's disappearance are made public.

They reveal details of the lines of inquiry pursued by detectives, witness statements and scores of previously unknown sightings of the little girl.

2009

:: January 29 - Nearly £2 million was raised for the official fund to find Madeleine in the first 10 months after she went missing, Companies House accounts show.

:: April 4 - Mr McCann goes back to Portugal to help film a reconstruction of the events on the night his daughter vanished for a Channel 4 documentary.

:: August 6 - The McCanns' investigators launch a worldwide hunt for an Australian lookalike of Victoria Beckham seen at a marina in Barcelona three days after the little girl disappeared.

:: September 9 - A Portuguese judge bans further sale or publication of Mr Amaral's book following legal action by Mr and Mrs McCann.

:: November 3 - The London-based Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre releases an internet video aimed at pricking the conscience of a friend or relative of the person responsible for Madeleine's disappearance.

:: December 11 - Mrs McCann returns to Praia da Luz for the first time since being made a suspect.

2010

:: January 12 - A civil court in Lisbon hears that Portuguese detectives believed Madeleine's parents covered up her death by faking her abduction as Mr Amaral tries to overturn the injunction on his book.

Mr and Mrs McCann strongly deny the allegations and defend their decision to take legal action against the former policeman.

:: January 27 - The McCanns mark the 1,000th day since their daughter went missing with a fundraising event in London and the release of 1,000 lanterns in Britain, Portugal and the US.

:: February 18 - A Portuguese judge upholds the McCanns' ban on Mr Amaral's book.

The ex-detective says he will appeal against the ruling and take his case all the way to the European Court of Human Rights if necessary.

:: March 3 - Another 2,000 pages of case documents held by Portuguese police are made public, revealing dozens of reported sightings of Madeleine for the first time.

***(see Note below)

:: November 3 - Kate and Gerry McCann launch a petition to lobby the UK and Portuguese governments for a joint or independent review of the case."

(***Note: In this timeline the Press Association omitted the October 18, 2010 ruling by the Lisbon Appeals court overturning the ban on "The Truth of the Lie".)
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , , ,


McCanns demand action instead of 'fluffy worthless words'


McCanns demand action instead of 'fluffy worthless words'
Key events since Madeleine disappeared
McCanns' petition plea letter in full
Ellen Branagh, Press Association
2 November 2010 07:45 PM
Press Association National Newswire


Kate and Gerry McCann today said they have had enough of "fluffy worthless words", calling again for a full case review over their daughter Madeleine's disappearance.

Exactly three-and-a-half years since Madeleine went missing, the couple said they want "action" and for "somebody to do something".

Today they launched a petition to lobby the UK and Portuguese governments for a joint or independent review of the case.

"Essentially for the last three-and-a-half years the authorities have not been doing anything proactive to help Madeleine," Mr McCann said.

"That is despite our best efforts to encourage them to do so.

"I don't think it's right that the onus should fall on us, the authorities really should be doing more."

His wife said:
"I don't want to be appeased and that's what I feel we're getting at the moment.

"We need action, I don't need fluffy worthless words. We need somebody to do something.

"Madeleine is still missing, she's a little girl, her abductor is still out there, so by not carrying on we are putting other children at risk. I think more needs to be done."

The couple, from Rothley, Leicestershire, have met with former home secretaries Alan Johnson and Jacqui Smith, as well as current Home Secretary Theresa May, to discuss the issue and to ask for a review of the case.

Mrs McCann said when they met Mr Johnson, who commissioned a "scoping exercise" by Ceop to see if a review would be helpful, they felt they were making progress, but now did not even know if the report had been read.

"There has not been a formal case review and I think for such a serious case like this, and with the profile of it and international aspects, that should be carried out," her husband said.

"The onus is on the UK and Portuguese authorities to sort that out.

"I think the best thing is for this case to be solved, and at the moment the authorities are not doing anything proactive to try and do that."

Madeleine was three when she went missing from her family's holiday flat in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on May 3 2007 as her parents dined with friends nearby.

Portuguese police launched a massive investigation with the support of British officers, but the inquiry was formally shelved in July 2008 without reaching any firm conclusions about her fate.

Private detectives employed by the McCanns are still investigating the case and as well as the petition, the couple are appealing for continued financial support for the official Find Madeleine fund - as it stands the fund will run out in spring 2011.

Mr and Mrs McCann said they had not given up hope and spoke of their frustration at a lack of help from the authorities.

"Children do get found years down the line," Mrs McCann said. "There's no evidence that Madeleine is not out there alive.

"It's just heartbreaking to think that nothing is getting done other than what we are having to do, other than our small team.

"Obviously a small team has limitations. If we had a review, if we had help from the authorities, the chances of finding Madeleine would be much greater I think.

"We deeply believe it will take us that step closer to finding Madeleine."

Mr McCann said fundraising was a secondary objective to urging people to help put pressure on the governments "to do what they should have done all along".

"In the interim we are carrying on, we're interviewing witnesses, dealing with new information and continuing reviewing the information available to us," he said.

"But it's important to emphasise we do not have all of the information, there's information that went into the inquiry that was not made public when the file was disclosed and therefore it's impossible for our team to review everything, we simply don't have access to it.

"The team also doesn't have any statutory authority, no one has to speak to them.

"That's why we're asking for the governments to organise an independent, thorough and hopefully transparent review."

Mrs McCann said the lifting of a ban on a book by former Portuguese police detective Goncalo Amaral, in which he alleges the little girl died and her parents faked her abduction, was "baffling".

Mr McCann said:
"Anyone who tried to claim that Madeleine is dead without evidence, anyone who does that and essentially stops the search - their motive has to be questioned.

"We're here trying to instigate the search in a meaningful way, it's very clear he wants the search to stop."

But the couple said they could not give up and spoke of how their family was coping with the situation.

Mrs McCann said:
"Sean and Amelie are great, they are doing really well, they seem to have taken everything on board and coped really well. Maybe that's one of the attractions of youth really.

"We're doing okay, we make the best of it. Life is not normal, I guess it's a new kind of normal.

"A friend of mine said she heard a radio interview with a man who had been through a tragedy.

"He described the pain like a boulder, he said it's not like the boulder gets any lighter, you just get stronger.

"I think that's true, you adapt to the situation, you learn different coping mechanisms.

"It doesn't mean the pain is any less, it doesn't mean that the whole issue is any less important.

"We haven't got our daughter, Sean and Amelie haven't got their sister, our family isn't complete.

"We can't stop, it doesn't matter how tired you are, we're on this treadmill and we can't stop trying to find Madeleine or at the very least find out what's happened.

"That ordeal would be much more bearable if we had more assistance."

A Home Office spokesman said:
"The Home Secretary has met Kate and Gerry McCann and is deeply sympathetic to their situation.

"The Government wants to ensure that everything feasible is being done to progress the search for Madeleine.

"The British authorities will maintain a dialogue with the Portuguese and continue to liaise with Madeleine's family on any developments."
Continue Reading... Labels: , , , , ,


 
Return to top of page Copyright © 2010 | Flash News Converted into Blogger Template by HackTutors