Gonçalo Amaral's book can now return to the bookshops.

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Gonçalo Amaral's book on the Madeleine McCann case can now go back on sale in bookshops. The Lisbon Court of Appeal has supported the former coordinator of the Policia Judiciaria (PJ) who has always maintained his theory about the death of the British girl.

"The book's contents do not infringe any of the complainants' fundamental rights," and, "the exercise of its writing and publication are inherent in the constitutional rights guaranteed to all by the European Convention on Human Rights and the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic," reads the ruling to which JN has had access.

In September 2009, after an injunction filed by the McCanns, the Lisbon Civil Court banned the sale of the book, "A Verdade da Mentira," (The Truth of the Lie) and any further showing of the documentary based on the work and issued by TVI, a decision which has earned harsh criticism from the Appeal Court judges.

The prohibition which told the former PJ coordinator that he was ordered not, "..'to express your opinion in any form (written, interview, analysis,comment) on what you wrote in that book,..' restricts a constitutional and universal right: the freedom of opinion and expression," according to the ruling.

The three judges who signed the ruling also consider that the decision by the Lisbon Civil Court violated the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic and the European Convention on Human Rights.

Apart from seeing, "A Verdade da Mentira," return to the bookshops, Gonçalo Amaral also regains his right to freedom of expression.

Jornal de Noticias 19/10/10

By Marisa Rodrigues

Grégory Villemin: four-year-old murdered in 1984. Parents request Low Copy Number DNA analyses of samples.

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The Grégory case: decision on Wednesday on the last chance analysis.

On Wednesday, the court will announce its decision on the request for new analyses that the parents of little Grégory Villemin, who was murdered in October 1984, are hoping for, in an attempt to resolve one of the most sensational legal mysteries in the post-war period.

The Investigative Division of the Dijon Court of Appeal, in charge of the investigation into the murder of little Grégory, who was found drowned, bound hand and foot, in the Vologne (Vosges) on October 16th 1984, must now make a decision on the request for 'new forensic investigations,' filed in June by Thierry Moser, lawyer for Jean-Marie and Christine Villemin.

At the time, the lawyer considered that it was, 'the last chance procedure.' During the June 30th hearing, the process was adjourned until September 29th for further deliberation, for the court to report its decision on October 20th.

"We are confident and calm. The Dijon Court of Appeal looks positive and wants to go forward. Will these new leads bring success? That's a different kettle of fish," Mr Moser stated.

For the court, it's basically about authorising DNA analysis of a hair found on the four-year-old's trousers and additional investigation of DNA "embedded," in the cords that bound him. With this new investigative procedure, called LCN (Low Copy Number) which is considered exceptional, on a number of scant samples, the cords would have to be cut up and therefore destroyed.

"For us, the cords are the important things, because there we are closest to what took place. It's of prime importance," added Marie-Christine Chastant-Morand, the other lawyer for Jean-Marie and Christine Villemin.

Other requested "forensic investigations": comparison of the voice of the anonymous caller with those of the main characters in the case, such as were gathered by journalists at the time, sound recordings retained by the National Audiovisual Institute. (INA)

It is also a question of looking for fingerprints "on the gummed parts of envelopes," and pressure impressions (raised on a page due to the pressure of writing) on the letter claiming responsibility for the crime.

The Attorney General has gone along with the Villemin couple concerning these five demands, "subject to feasibility," for the last three, stated Jean-Marie Beney, Dijon's Attorney General.

Dernières Nouvelles D'Alsace

18/10/10

News release from The Madeleine Foundation...

..........following the lifting of the ban on Gonçalo Amaral's book, "A Verdade da Mentira," by a Portuguese court in Lisbon.

This morning, a Portuguese newspaper, Diário de Notícias, reported that the Portuguese Court of Appeal had overturned the draconian orders of two previous lower Portuguese courts, and has allowed Goncalo Amaral once again to sell his book ‘The Truth About A Lie’.

The news reached the English-speaking world through the blog of Portuguese blogger Joana Morais, who rapidly translated the news report, as she has translated so many Portuguese reports for an English readership over the post three years.

Tonight we learn that this news has been confirmed by all the major Portuguese newspapers in their online editions; these include Sol, Jornal de Noticia, Correio de Manhaã, TVI24, and A Bola. According to Google News tonight, there is a totals of 33 news items on the internet tonight, all apparently so far in Portuguese, about this stunning news. So far as we are aware, not one British newspaper has yet reported on this news, despite the saturation coverage the British press gave to the original banning of Mr Amaral’s book in September last year and to his unsuccessful appeal in January and February this year.

The Portuguese press is tonight quoting Dr Kate McCann as saying that the Portuguese Appeal Court’s decision is ‘unbelievable’. Given all the significant contradictions amongst the police witness statements of the McCanns and their ‘Tapas 9’ friends, some might say the same about their own accounts of what really happened to Madeleine McCann.

All members, supporters and followers of The Madeleine Foundation will want to join with us in congratulating Mr Amaral on a courageous and sustained fight to win the right to publish his book.

At the same time we remember that the Portuguese judicial system has yet to find judicial time to hear Mr Amaral’s appeal against his conviction last May for allegedly filing a false report, and that he also faces a further criminal case on the basis of what we say are unfounded accusations against him by the partner of serial liar and murderess Leonor Cipriano, now serving a 16-year jail term for murdering her own eight-year-old daughter, who she claimed had been abducted.

The news comes just 17 days after The Madeleine Foundation held a series of events in support of ‘Goncalo Amaral Day’ on 2 October, a day we established in honour of a man who has sacrificed much to bring us the facts about the Madeleine McCann investigation.

Though many people scoffed at our efforts, thousands of British people are now better informed about Mr Amaral through our leaflet: ‘Your Questions Answered about Goncalo Amaral’, which has been distributed in many British towns.

Finally, we have been asked about the continuing ban on our own book: ‘What Really Happened to Madeleine McCann? - 60 Reasons which suggest she was not abducted”. Whilst it is true that an undertaking was given by the book’s author, Tony Bennett, not to further sell or distribute it, as we said at the time, circumstances might lead to that undertaking no longer being appropriate.

We will be reviewing the situation at a forthcoming Committee meeting and it is possible that Tony will make an application to the High Court to be freed from his undertaking not to sell the book. High Court undertakings may be varied or nullified at any time if circumstances change.

Committee of The Madeleine Foundation

19 October 2010

http://www.madeleinefoundation.org.uk/

Amaral's book ban lifted. Kate McCann says it's "unbelievable."!!

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A advogada dos pais de Madeleine McCann, Isabel Duarte, confirmou à Agência Efe a decisão, contrária à reivindicação de seus clientes, que foi emitida hoje pelo Tribunal da Relação (Colegiado) de Lisboa após uma apelação do autor do livro.

A mãe da menina, Kate McCann, considerou a resolução judicial "inacreditável", declarou a advogada, que está estudando as possíveis medidas que serão adotadas. Noticias Terra

English translation of the above:

The advocate of the parents of Madeleine McCann, Isabel Duarte, confirmed the decision to Efe News Agency, against the claim to her clients, which was issued today by the Court of the Collegiate in Lisbon after an appeal by the author of the book.

The girl's mother, Kate McCann, considered the judicial decision "unbelievable", said the lawyer, who is studying the possible measures that will be adopted.

You'd better believe it Mrs Kate. The book ban has been lifted and Dr Amaral is now free to express himself with his book back on the shelves, in writing and in interviews.

What is unbelievable is that you left three small children alone, night after night, in an unlocked apartment in a foreign country. You went out jogging when locals in Praia da Luz were blistering their feet looking for your daughter, you trademarked her name a few days after she disappeared and you have engaged the most dodgy detectives I reckon anyone could find, supposedly to look for her.

And still you called yourself a responsible parent!

Now, that's unbelievable!

I don't know how you could seriously publish all those images of suspects, so many and so different that all over the world and in every home in the UK, we could probably all find a friend or relation to grass up!

That's unbelievable!

Kate McCann, you believe, or would have us think you believe, that your daughter was abducted, and yet there is no evidence that she has come to harm!

Unbelievable I say!

Is that all you said, Kate McCann? That one word, "unbelievable."?

I don't believe that for a minute!

Maddie: The Truth of the Lie - Gonçalo Amaral's documentary.

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Today, we learn that the ban on Gonçalo Amaral's book, "A Verdade da Mentira," has been lifted. To celebrate, here is the documentary based on the investigation coordinated by Dr Amaral.

Amaral book ban overturned! A Verdade da Mentira back on sale!

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I have just heard that the Tribunal da Relacao has overturned the ban on Dr Gonçalo Amaral's book and that it is to be returned immediately to the point of sale!

Thank you to Joana Morais for posting this brilliant news on her blog.

As you say, Joana:

"McCann Book Ban Lifted - Freedom has returned to Portugal."

So, it's congratulations from me Dr Amaral........

...............and from him!

Related stories:

Direct speech: A short interview with Gonçalo Amaral (Joana Morais)

Gonçalo Amaral to countersue the McCanns. (Joana Morais)

Gonçalo Amaral: "The book is an exercise of Citizenship and Freedom of Expression" (Joana Morais)

I'll Give It a Week: ( Good Quality Wristbands)

What now BBC? What now Mike O'Sullivan? (Good Quality Wristbands)

"As CEOP dies Jim Gamble saves himself....."

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There seems to have been quite a lot happening with and around individuals and organisations directly or indirectly linked to the Madeleine McCann case over the past few weeks. I present this little list, which is probably incomplete and not necessarily in chronological order.

• Jim Gamble resigns from CEOP.
• John McCann and Gerry's boss resign from the Madeleine Fund
• Kevin Halligen of Oakley International subject to extradition proceedings on fraud charges.
• Operation Ore test case coming up.
• Kate McCann goes to Praia da Luz for 'emotional reasons and to pray for Madeleine.'
• New detectives join Dave Edgar's team in Portugal.

"As CEOP dies, Jim Gamble saves himself..."

http://theopinionsite.org/?p=161

October 7, 2010

By Andromeda

Operation Ore, the UK’s biggest investigation into alleged child pornography, resulted in numerous innocent people being jailed or cautioned, led the politicians to invoke draconian legislation, caused the erosion of civil liberties in the name of ‘child protection’ and also caused the death of 39 people.

The man who was at the centre of its momentum was Jim Gamble, a senior police officer with a somewhat dubious history. He has done well and made a load of money from his endeavour, by most people’s standards anyway. He has resigned after suggesting that the amalgamation of CEOP into the proposed National Crime Agency is not in the best interests of children. We suspect that he has simply thrown his toys out of his pram as he will no longer be granted unfettered power and money by the new government. He is going now before he is sacked, in our opinion at least.

Tony Blair slapped a D-Notice on Operation Ore just before going to war with Iraq because senior cabinet members were alleged to have been under investigation. This has prevented any enquiry into the matter by the police.

Appeals against Gamble’s crusade are due to be heard in the High Court in November.

Now, Jim Gamble's resignation may actually be solely related to the proposed amalgamation of CEOP into the proposed National Crime Agency or methinks the timing of the announcement by the government may be Jim Gamble's lucky break. The Operation Ore test case just happens to be coming up, which could lead to some embarrassment for Mr Gamble and bring into disrepute anything he has been involved with. So, maybe Jim has been on his knees thanking God for this reason to resign and claim the moral high ground before the brown stuff hits the proverbial air cooling device.

What makes me wonder about poor Jim's protestations about his commitment to CEOP and its loss of independence is that last year Jim applied for the post of Chief Constable for the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Men hoping to become PSNI chief

The McCanns issued a statement in support of their good buddy, Jim Gamble, in which they stated that they it was "extremely saddening that he feels unable to continue to lead Ceop, apparently as a consequence of the proposed Governmental changes.." (Daily Express ) So, was it saddening when Jim applied for a new job last year? Was it potentially a great loss for child protection or did Kate and Gerry wish him good luck?

So, anyway, Jim's resigned and the Operation Ore appeal is coming up. Operation Ore and internet allegations - test case on appeal (Chris Saltrese solicitor)

In the UK, thousands of people were implicated and convicted or cautioned even though they protested no knowledge of having visited the site or any interest or intention to access child pornography.

It has since emerged that the blueprint employed to incriminate suspects was fundamentally flawed, so that many people may have been implicated in a crime they did not commit.

With the help of experts, Chris Saltrese Solicitors has carried out groundbreaking evidential and legal research into Operation Ore.

Leave for appeal was granted for a test case before the full court in Spring 2010 but has been postponed. It is hoped it will be heard before the end of 2010.

This will unveil fresh evidence and expert opinion.

If you were wrongly convicted or cautioned in relation to Operation Ore, please get in touch and we may be able to assist.

A good time to be jumping ship then, Jim Lad!

Also coming up in November is the postponed Kevin Halligen extradition proceedings.

Private cop '£1.3m scam' Daily Mirror

21/09/2010

Court

A private detective accused of ripping off the Madeleine McCann fund is also wanted in the US over an alleged £1.3million fraud, it was revealed yesterday.

Kevin Halligen, 49, is being sought by the FBI for allegedly conning UK law firm Waterson and Hicks out of the sum by claiming he could help free two staff of a client, oil company Trafigura, jailed in the Ivory Coast over a 2006 chemical spill.

Westminster magistrates remanded Halligen, from Surrey, in custody until November 3.

What have we got so far of events somewhere in the McCanns' orbit? In November, their buddy Jim will be confronted by an appeal on behalf of men allegedly falsely accused as a result of the Operation Ore investigation, of which Jim was in charge. In the same month, Kevin Halligen goes back to court for his extradition hearing.

Could the timing, then, of Kate McCann's solo visit to Praia da Luz 'for emotional reasons and to pray for Madeleine,' be somehow related to those two events? Distraction?

And what of this new team of detectives now sitting in an office somewhere in Lisbon, waiting for new leads? Kate McCann went out there, prayed alone and wept, - though who saw her? - but didn't meet up with these new investigators to discuss the case and where they're going to get the new leads from? But, we are told that simply visiting Praia da Luz has brought fresh hope.

Kate and Gerry McCann are convinced three new investigators will help solve their daughter’s disappearance and she told a friend yesterday: “A new team, new ideas and new hope!”

The three, paid by the Find Maddie Fund, are now in the Portuguese capital Lisbon.

Kate has made a return trip to the resort where her daughter, now seven years old, was snatched nearly three-and-a-half years ago.

She visited friends in Praia da Luz and went alone to the Catholic Church and wept as she prayed.

A family source said: “Kate has been given fresh hope by her visit to ‘Luz’ and by the fact three new highly regarded investigators are injecting new impetus into the search for Madeleine. She didn’t meet the investigators but stayed with the local Anglican priest Father Haynes Hubbard and his wife Susan, who have become very close friends.

“Kate went out alone to have a break and, of course, to pray for Madeleine.”

Family doctor Kate, 42, spent last weekend in Luz while relatives looked after her twins Sean and Amelia, five.

Family doctor Kate? She hasn't been a GP since before she went to Praia da Luz in May 2007, though 'family doctor,' may be an appropriate description since she managed to doctor her own family quite nicely while she was there!

So, what gives Mr Gerry and Mrs Kate? Getting a bit nervous with all these goings-on? As if all that wasn't enough, that Portuguese police officer, Gonçalo Amaral, has managed to get Marcos Aragão Correio, erstwhile lawyer to Leonor Cipriano, formally accused of defamation by the Portuguese Public Minister, charged with defaming the Polícia Judicária when he accused them of torture. I guess a few of your supporters who actually accused Dr Amaral of torturing a suspect may have to be a little more careful if Snr Correio is found guilty!

With thanks to Joana Morais for the translation of the article which appeared only in the paper edition of Correio da Manhã.

The Public Ministry accuses lawyer Marcos Aragão Correia of defamation against Gonçalo Amaral, a former PJ coordinator, due to a document in which he recounts supposed torture acts against Leonor Cipriano, who in 2005 was condemned to a 16-year prison sentence over the death of her daughter, Joana, and the concealment of the child's cadaver.

The lawyer - who represents Leonor Cipriano - has sent the aforementioned document to the Association against Exclusion for Development (ACED), and its head, António Dores, also stands accused of the crime of defamation. After filing the complaint against the lawyer, Gonçalo Amaral requested for Aragão Correia to be considered unimputable, even suggesting his commitment to a psychiatric hospital.

Within the case of alleged aggressions against Leonor, Gonçalo Amaral was condemned to a one-and-a-half-year suspended sentence over false deposition*. The former PJ coordinator is represented by João Grade, Cipriano's former lawyer

(*I believe the charge brought against Dr Amaral was that of failing to submit a report.)

Oh dearie me! I think that new team of cack, I mean crack, detectives needs to come up with a few more sightings and/or suspects because it does appear to me, just in my opinion of course, that like the well-constructed facade represented by The Tower in the Tarot deck, lightning may be about to hit the McCanns' own house of cards.

And I wish them a very unhappy landing!

Jim Gamble resigns and Gerry McCann talks about the 'value of our children.'

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Image by Himself at Good Quality Wristbands

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11472033

Chief executive of Ceop resigns

The chief executive of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop) has offered his resignation, the BBC has learned.

The Home Office confirmed the Home Secretary was aware Jim Gamble had sent a resignation letter to her.

The agency said it did not feel it was in the best interests of children and young people for Ceop to be assimilated into the National Crime Agency.

The merger proposal was outlined by Theresa May in July.

Ceop told the BBC it "does not feel that it is in the best interests of children and young people for CEOP to be assimilated into the National Crime Agency, as was announced a short while ago.

"This direction of travel does not seem to have changed and Ceop's CEO, Jim Gamble, has therefore offered his resignation to the Home Secretary with a four month notice period. We are not prepared to comment further."

It is understood that Ceop has made representations to the government since the announcement that its work was to become part of the proposed National Crime Agency.

As CEO of CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Agency) Jim Gamble supported serial neglectors, Kate and Gerry McCann unreservedly, though what such an organisation has to do with a missing child who was left night after night by her parents while they went out on the piss is quite beyond me. Yet, Gamble even presented Gerry (we are responsible parents and everybody does it) McCann, as a guest speaker at the CEOP conference earlier this year.

Image by Himself

And, of course, weighing in with support for his best buddy is Gerry McCann on the Find Madeleine web site.

Statement 5th October 2010

We were told last night of the resignation of Jim Gamble from the Child Exploitation and On Line Protection Unit (CEOP). We are certain that he will be a huge loss to the field of child protection. Knowing how committed Mr Gamble is to this cause, it is extremely saddening that he feels unable to continue to lead CEOP which appears to be as a consequence of the proposed Governmental changes.

The search for our daughter Madeleine has been greatly enhanced by the work carried out by the team at CEOP. We would like to thank Mr Gamble for all of his efforts, both for Madeleine and for all missing and exploited children.

In what way has the search for Madeleine been enhanced by the work carried out by CEOP? By inviting the father who left her alone to speak at a conference? By the making and dissemination of this strange little video?



Yes, I agree Mr Gamble, "It's never too late to do the right thing," and you have shown that by resigning. Now, it's up to Madeleine McCann's parents to do the right thing and call a halt to this fiasco of private detectives and so many suspects that most people in the UK and elsewhere could probably grass up a near relative. Do the right thing Kate and Gerry: the truth will set you free.

In this challenging economic climate, we urge the Government to remember the value of our children and the importance of the invaluable work which is necessary to protect children against the devastating crimes of child abduction and exploitation.

Now, I'm wondering who the first person plural possessive pronoun in Gerry's statement might be referring to? "....the value of our children."? Does "our children," refer to just his own? Well, he didn't value them too much when he left them on their own in an unlocked apartment in a foreign country night after night. Is it a universal generalisation? Everybody's children? Then who is everybody? Not child-traffickers or those who trade children as sex workers. Then who? He can count me out because I know the value of my children and I never left them alone.

Child abduction and exploitation are "devastating crimes."? Devastating for whom? Gerry has told us over and over that there is no evidence that Madeleine has come to harm. Yet, child abduction is a devastating crime? Does he think that if Madeleine had been abducted that she wasn't devastated? Would it just be Gerry and his dozy wife who were devastated? Still, I've yet to see any evidence that Madeleine was abducted. That trivial matter, lack of evidence, didn't seem to be of any significance to our Mr Gamble, though, did it?

While I'm here, I'd like to ask Mr Jim Gamble where the photos went to, the photos that he asked holiday-makers who were in Praia da Luz at the same time as the McCanns to upload, just in case there was something in them to indicate what might have happened to Madeleine. Those photos never reached the Portuguese police, who would possibly have found them useful. So, what was the use of asking for them?

http://sosmaddie.blogs.dhnet.be/tag/photos

Your photos never reached the Portuguese investigators.

To this day, the PJ have not received any photos at all resulting from the campaign launched by the Leicestershire police, asking tourists who were on holiday in Praia da Luz to send copies of photos taken during the two weeks preceding Madeleine McCann's disappearance.

The appeal had been launched by Leicestershire police, in coordination with CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) and the Association of Chief Police Officers. (ACPO)
According to a source close to the investigation in the United Kingdom, several hundred photos were sent to the British authorities, most of them downloaded via internet pages specially created for the occasion.

"We will then evaluate these images - at a rate of 1000 images an hour - so that before long we are sending the significant information to the Portuguese authorities. " Jim Gamble, head of CEOP had promised.
According to Jim Gamble, the official objective of this campaign was to make progress with the investigation into Madeleine's disappearance, using, notably, a programme of facial recognition for all the people "who might seem out of place or to be behaving strangely."

"Wondering what the real purpose was of launching the public appeal....We have not had access to those photos," one of the investigators confirms, stressing that the only photos the PJ were able to receive came to them directly from witnesses.

Duarte Levy & Paulo Reis

04/09/08

Image, as usual, by Himself!

Those photos could possibly have helped in the search for Madeleine had they reached the police teams in Portugal who were charged with investigating her disappearance, but they seem to have disappeared down a very large hole.

So, before you go Jim, perhaps you could dig out those photos and send them to the Portuguese police. You never know, they may help in the search for Madeleine.

Goodbye Jim Gamble. I hear the government is into cutting benefits, so maybe you'd better get yourself another job fairly soon, but personally I'd prefer that you followed the instructions on every box of matches, "Keep in a dry place away from children."

"Kate McCann back in Portugal to pray."

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Today the New of the World tells us that Kate McCann has returned to Portugal 'to pray.'

KATE McCann made a solitary pilgrimage this weekend to the Portuguese resort where her daughter went missing, "for emotional reasons and to pray for Madeleine."

So, Madeleine is not one of the 'emotional reasons,' for her return? You'd think the strongest emotional pull to the village of Praia da Luz would be that her daughter Madeleine disappeared there and never returned to her home in Rothley from what was supposed to be a family holiday. But, no, Kate McCann went back 'for emotional reasons AND to pray for Madeleine."

Kate McCann, as the 'devout Catholic,' some would claim you to be, surely you know that you can pray for your daughter anywhere? You could sit quietly and privately in the bedroom that Madeleine never returned to, amongst those things of hers you claim have never been changed, and pray for her.

I recall an entry in Gerry McCann's blog: Day 123 - 3rd September, 2007.

After dropping the twins off Kate and I popped into church for 10 minutes to pray for Madeleine. Spent most of the day going through mail, e-mails and I had a number of calls to make. It was good to spend some time with my family and Sean and Amelie certainly enjoyed their auntie’s dinner- sometimes it is hard to beat mince and ‘tatties’!

Yes, you can pray anywhere, at any time, Kate McCann, but you and Gerry viewed praying for your daughter soon after she disappeared as something you took 10 minutes out of your busy day to do. I bet the mince and tatties took longer to enjoy than your 10 minutes of praying.

Passengers who saw GP Kate, 42, on a flight from East Midlands airport to Faro on Friday morning said she cut a lonely figure. One said: "Kate looked very sad, she was by herself. It is clear time is not healing the pain."

Time is not healing the pain? This was Kate McCann on what would have been her daughter's fourth birthday, just a few days after her child disappeared into thin air. Kate McCann looks radiant, like it's her birthday!

It seems to me that Kate McCann's anguish has increased over time and I wonder why that should be. In an interview with the BBC's Jane Hill, Kate McCann said that the first 48 hours were very hard and that they were, "almost non-functioning."

Well, the McCanns did appear to recover rather quickly from that 'non-functioning,' state. The pain of losing their daughter would seem to have been overcome with amazing, uncommon, and I would add, almost indecent speed.

As Kate revisited the scene of Madeleine's abduction aged just three it emerged that there are new efforts to find her.

Three British ex-cops have joined Dave Edgar's team in Portugal.

"Gerry and Kate have some very experienced people working for them now and they will also pray for a miracle", said a pal.

These cops have joined Dave Edgar's team in Portugal? What team? Does this mean there were already more than Edgar and Cowley? And have they finally decided to search in those 'hellish lairs,' in those, 'lawless villages,' within a 10 mile radius of Praia da Luz? Or is this an attempt to persuade the Portuguese courts that the McCanns truly believe that their daughter is still alive if they are pursuing their efforts to sue Dr Gonçalo Amaral, the only person who was ever truly committed to finding out what had happened to Madeleine, on a night when she disappeared into thin air, when the shutters had not been jemmied and Jane Tanner 'saw,' a man of varying descriptions carrying a child?

I think those of us who pray should pray for Kate McCann, that she finally tells the truth about what happened to her daughter and frees herself from this prison of lies and deceit that she has made for herself. The truth will set you free Kate.

(Addendum: if Himself happens to read this, perhaps he would tell me why the font half-way through this blog post will not do what it's told and insists on being bigger!)

"Madeleine's Fund Loses Key McCann"

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So the Sunday Express tells us today, but why do they accompany this article with an image of Madeleine McCann that was out of date even at the time she disappeared?



Is the Express getting in subtle hints there that things are not quite as they seem with the McCanns, their fund or their story?

THE brother of Gerry McCann has quit the Madeleine Fund amid a drive to inject new dynamism into the search for the missing seven-year-old.

That could be read as being a comment that it's an odd time for him to be leaving when things are hotting up with the search, or that he's been pushed out in this drive to inject new dynamism.

John McCann has been a dedicated director since the fund was launched more than three years ago and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to do everything he could to find the child.

Well, readers, why would such a tireless worker be leaving?

However, latest company accounts show he left last month along with fellow director Douglas Skehan, a heart specialist and colleague of Gerry McCann who works with him at Leicester’s Glenfield Hospital. Speaking at the launch of the fund two weeks after Madeleine vanished, John said: “This fund will be a vehicle to help our family get our darling, wee niece back.”

Now, there's an expression of love for Madeleine. And we had to find out that this dedicated man had left only through reading the latest accounts.

In an update to their website, neither Kate nor Gerry McCann mentioned the names of the directors who have left.

So, dear readers of this fine journal, why not name and thank this tireless director who has worked so hard behind the scenes for three years?

Instead they focused on the renewed vigour behind the campaign to find their daughter. They believe Madeleine was abducted from their holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on Portugal’s Algarve coast in May 2007.

"They believe Madeleine was abducted.."? The Express is not saying that Madeleine was abducted. It's not even saying her parents know she was abducted, but "they believe." Are readers left to ponder that all there is to suggest abduction is belief, that something happened to Madeleine and her parents don't have a clue what that was and all they have is belief, or is the more subtle suggestion that readers are invited to believe the abduction story with nothing to back it up in reality? Out of all the theories about what happened to Madeleine - she wandered out of the apartment, she was abducted, (Woops! Not many plausible theories, are there?) they choose to "believe," that she was abducted. The Express is being very kind here, or very careful.

“This will include some changes to the board of Madeleine’s Fund, simply to try to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of what we are doing. It has now been three years and four months since Madeleine was taken from us. None of us ever thought we’d still be in the position we are today.

Ah, those departing directors were neither efficient nor effective? But John McCann worked tirelessly: in what ways was he inefficient and ineffective?

“Inevitably there has to be change for a variety of reasons but importantly, this will also allow people to help and support us in different ways."

What are these "different ways" in which people will be allowed to support "us"? Us? Who's that? John McCann was not "us."? He was not supporting us in ways that were efficient and effective? Us and them, eh? The other directors were supporting us as we would have liked them to, but not those two who have quit amid this "drive to inject to dynamism."?

"Regardless of change, everyone’s focus, commitment and desire continues to be that of finding Madeleine.”

Who is "everyone."? Everyone including those two departing directors? The remaining directors? The world and its dog? Woops! I keep mentioning dogs!

New board members, as yet unnamed, have been appointed to the fund, which stands at £450,000 and relies on public donations to pay private investigators to carry on the search.

Not much left folks. Your donations are paying for these private investigators to do the searching, while her parents just, "believe," Madeleine was abducted, but they're not out there themselves getting their hands dirty turning over a few stones.

The unsigned blog continues: “Keeping Madeleine’s image out there greatly increases our chances of finding her.

"The unsigned blog."? Why is no one owning up to writing this crap? As for "keeping Madeleine's image out there," hers is the most recognisable child's face in the world, I imagine, and she's still, well, "out there."? Hasn't achieved much so far.

“It is a reminder to people that she is still missing and to please keep looking for her. In addition, we know that somebody knows where Madeleine is.

That part sounds like something Gerry McCann could have written: does he really think there's a Joe Uk Public out there who is going to read that and bellow, "OH. MY. GOD. Sell the dog Mrs Public, Madeleine McCann's still missing!"

Well well! "..somebody knows where she is." Well, Gerry the odds are that if she had been abducted that somebody would know where she was. Is that just one "somebody."? The abductor? Somebody else? The abductor doesn't know, but somebody else does? Just one somebody else?

“One more reminder of her may be all that it takes for them to finally come forward and let us know.”

Let you know what? That they know where she is? Why not say "return her."? And would this, "One more reminder," suddenly cause that "somebody," to remember that Madeleine was still missing, that they had somehow forgotten that detail and also that they knew where she was? "Goodness," somebody says to himself, "Yes, I remember now! That little blonde girl, whats'ername, better tell them where she is. Now where did I put her?"

The McCanns met Home Secretary Theresa May over the summer to ask for a review of all evidence in the case.

But from Ms May, silence seems to be the reply.

The Unusual Suspects

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The worst E-Fit ever?

According to Sky News this E-Fit sketch, which actually led to the arrest of a man who murdered a Bolivian taxi driver, was the 'World's worst E-Fit sketch.'

However, I really think that honour must go to the one and only... 'Eggman,' the first sketch of a suspect in the Madeleine McCann case, which was created based on a description by Jane Tanner and shown to amazed, and probably amused, residents of Praia da Luz.

Eggman, seen here making his getaway in a chauffeur-driven vehicle, is obviously a man of means and definitely, I would say, not the raggle-taggle gypsy fingered by Raymond Hewlett's son Wayne. Wayne Hewlett claims that his convicted paedophile father, Raymond, sent him a letter from his deathbed, detailing a dastardly plot by a band of gypsies to steal children to order for wealthy couples.

Lettuce-Man is definitely a contender for the title of worst E-Fit, but I guess he's at least got a face and looks like a human being. Wanted by Hampshire police in relation to the theft of £60 from an elderly woman.

And now a reprise of just some of the men and women, implicated as suspects in the Madeleine McCann case. That 'World's worst E-Fit,' may have been pretty hilarious, but at least it was the only E-Fit in the case of the murder of the Bolivian taxi driver and at least it did lead to an arrest. Those sharp-eyed citizens of the world, for Maddie has been seen on all five continents, have a wonderful range of suspects to choose from. Is it your husband, brother, sister, son, daughter, or your long-dead Uncle Fred? Why not grass'em up? You too could get your five minutes of fame with the Daily Mail: "Woman states that her long-dead Uncle Fred came from the grave to snatch Maddie. 'It's not about the money they paid me,' she said, 'He always liked little blonde girls and it's time he was put behind bars. It's just another one of his excuses that he's dead.'

Pick a suspect, any suspect!

Then, of course, there's this man! A very dodgy-looking geeza!

Kate McCann knows because she was there!

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Well, it's high time she let the rest of us know! Kate McCann couldn't tell us how she absolutely knew that Madeleine had been abducted while she was an arguida, but after all this time, she hasn't told us yet. In this video, she tells a journalist, "I know more than you do." So, come on, Kate McCann, you can tell us now! How did you know that Madeleine could not have wandered out of the apartment and how did you know immediately that she had been abducted? The shutters had not been jemmied and the abductor probably didn't open that window!




The McCanns on The Oprah Show. At 2.06, there is a chart on the McCanns' fridge freezer, a start chart for Madeleine staying in her own bed. So, this seems to suggest that Madeleine was in the habit of getting out of bed in the night and going in search of her parents in their room.



Why do Kate and Gerry McCann keep referring to their daughter Madeleine as, 'the little girl,' and, 'a little girl.' and 'a child'? They sound like they're either just repeating the words of their solicitor, Isabel Duarte, or they're subconsciously distancing themselves from Madeleine and whatever happened to her.



Transcript of the above video, thanks to jjp.

Sandra Felgueiras: Gerry do you also believe that the...

Gerry McCann: There is one real reason why we've come here and why we've taken this action and this why it is [indicates the poster] it's our daughter who is missing, and who deserves justice for a fair search. The laws of a democracy are there to protect the vulnerable in society, our daughter is vulnerable, our twins are vulnerable. Given what you've heard in court over the days of this trial, we want to appeal to the Portuguese people again, to come forward with any information that may lead us to help find Madeleine, or any other information that might be related to Madeleine's abduction. The number here is 800 814 024. [some journalist asks something to Kate McCann] Pardon.

Kate McCann: [unintelligible]

Gerry McCann: Thank you.

Unknown British journalist A: Tell us about those criminal proceedings that you're starting.

Gerry McCann: Can't comment on that.

Sandra Felgueiras: But do you think that the PJ is not investigating important leads that could help you to find Madeleine?

Gerry McCann: I think you've heard detective Paiva's testimony and that speaks for itself. There's one thesis that's being investigated here more than any other, that hasn't come up with any evidence, and the important thing is that there is an innocent child missing and that search must go on. We would very much like the whole process reviewed, we would like all information held by all law enforcements to be put together and systematically reviewed and identified areas for further investigation.

Unknown British journalist B: Are you going to review that Gerry?

Sandra Felgueiras: We were said that that notice the PJ received had inclusively photos from Madeleine or eventually from some child...

Gerry McCann: [refuses to answer, turns head to another direction] Pardon , sorry?

Sandra Felgueiras: ...have you seen that photo?

Unknown British journalist B: Who do you want to do that review with?

Gerry McCann: The most well-qualified people capable of doing it.

Unknown British journalist C: Who, who is that?

Unknown British journalist D: Mrs. McCann, how difficult has this trial been for you?

Kate McCann: It's obviously been difficult to hear all these allegations again, and, but is reassuring again to be demonstrated publicly that there is no evidence that Madeleine has come to any harm.

Unknown British journalist E: Kate do you feel...

Kate McCann: And I really do want to ask Portuguese people to continue to help us, please, there's a little girl still missing regardless of what Mr. Amaral and his followers say, and they have their own motives. There's a little girl still missing, and we know that people care about children, please help us.

Portuguese Journalist: You are asking Portuguese people to come forward, what do you have to say if they ask you 'why are you not re-opening the case'?

Portuguese Man's voice: That is the question, that's the one.

Gerry McCann: [looks startled]

Kate McCann: [answers another journalist question - unintelligible]

Gerry McCann: We be delighted if the case was re-opened, we have no problem with that, but what we need is real investigation, not this, not dismissal...

Portuguese Journalist: Did you already do anything? Take any steps to open the case?

Gerry McCann: We, we have sent information through, at the authorities both in England and through the PJ here. It's the prosecutors decision when to re-open the case.

Portuguese Journalist: Did you get a reply then?

Gerry McCann: What we need is. What we need is and this is very, very clear. What we need is new leads, new information. We believe that information has not gone into the inquiry and we want it all systematically examined under one review panel.

Unknown British journalist F: Gerry would you want that, would that be the British police? Do you want a British review panel?

Portuguese Journalist: A reconstruction. If you volunteer to do a reconstruction wouldn't that open the case?

Gerry McCann: We want to create information that will lead us to us helping find Madeleine.

Portuguese Journalist: That will help Madeleine. Don't you think so?

Gerry McCann: Well if it does then, you know, we will participate.

Portuguese Journalist: You are in Lisbon. You could take that step today. Ask for the case to be reopened and do a reconstruction with your friends.

Gerry McCann: We are going round in circles. We would be more than happy for the case to be reopened.

Unknown British journalist F: Gerry to clarify the, we are talking about this review. Its quite interesting. Is that something you would want the British police to do? A review of the entire thing.

Gerry McCann: We'll take whoever's prepared to do it and whoever has the most expertise and obviously we want the Portuguese and British authorities to cooperate in such a review.

Editing/video glitch

Portuguese Journalist: You are asking the Portuguese people to come forward and they will not do it (????)

A number of garbled questions.

Gerry McCann: We don't know when new information is going to come forward. There are many cases as you know of, of children who have been missing for years who have subsequently been discovered. And its when that piece of information falls into place that the children are found. And if people believe, erm, unnecessarily that Madeleine's dead without any evidence then we'll never find her.

Sandra Felgueiras: Are you sure that after this court that public opinion in Portugal will change?

Gerry McCann: It depends what your question really relates to. It's not a popularity contact, er contest. It's about finding Madeleine.

Sandra Felgueiras: You claim that the finding of Madeleine has been damaged with all this Gonçalo Amaral thesis but I'm asking you if this decision will be something like you wish to happen, do you think after that, after this step it will be better for you?

Gerry McCann: I think it will be a step in the right direction. It's about Madeleine. It's not about us. It's about this girl. She's missing. She needs to be found and we are doing everything in our power to aid that search.

Unknown British journalist G: Gerry, have you formally asked anyone to start a review?

Gerry McCann: We are happy to ask now.

Unknown British journalist G: But before today is it something you have formally asked.

Gerry McCann: We are asking behind the scenes all the time, many different things. Of course we want all the information reviewed. It's sensible. It would be done in any other major inquiry. There is a situation we have been advised of in Portugal. But, you know, we want the information reviewed. We want it. It's an unsolved case. It's really important. You would expect that. There is a little girl missing. We must find her, We must do everything in our power. Just because it is hard doesn't mean we give up. We are not gonna give up.

Citizen's Female voice: Why not do the reconstruction, maybe? Why not do the reconstruction, why?

Sandra Felgueiras: Isabel Duarte told to the court that she felt you were under a judgement these days. Do you still feel or did you feel that today you were under a judgement?

Gerry McCann: What's important is the judge's decision. I think that is the objectivity of it not biased opinion. You know, evidence has to be looked at objectively. There is no evidence Madeleine's dead. As far as we are concerned she's still out there.

Portuguese Journalist: Wouldn't you say that someone who accepts that there was an abduction is also biased? It's just one side of the question.

Gerry McCann: Aye. Obviously all possibilities have to be considered and they were considered. One was pursued much more aggressively than any other lead. But you know we weren't there on our own. We weren't in isolation. There were many many people around us. There are many different witnesses that seem to get forgotten about and only negative, er, testimony seems to ....

Portuguese Journalist: But that is part of life isn't it? There is always someone who has a different opinion.

Gerry McCann: We are here. We are standing here in front of you. We are visible. The abductor is not.

Portuguese Journalist: The abductor?!

Gerry McCann: We need to find that person and...

Kate McCann: Yes. The abductor is not.

Gerry McCann: ... and those that are responsible.

Portuguese Journalist: What evidence do you have that there was an abduction? Can I ask this question because you say that Amaral doesn't have....

Kate McCann: I know. I was here. I found my daughter gone. I know more than you do. I know what I saw.

(Well, come on Kate, tell us! You know what you saw? Well, there's a novelty!)

Portuguese Journalist: I'm not saying. I don't know anything. I'm just telling from a point of view where I don't know who to believe. I just want evidence like you say.

Gerry McCann: Where is the child? We are looking for that evidence. Where is the child? What other explanation can explain how she is not here?

Kate McCann: So(???) do you agree it shouldn't be be ruled out? Do you?

Portuguese Journalist: Other people have advanced other explanations. That's why we are here.

Gerry McCann: Okay. Any other questions before we go because we've got a flight to catch?

Kate McCann: Could you just remember there is a little girl missing and we need everybody's help.

Sandra Felgueiras: Are you planning to come on the..., next week?

Gerry McCann: Er. No.

Sandra Felgueiras: Why not?

Gerry McCann: I can't. I've got work commitments.

English Voice: Gerry, do you want to do ???? now.... for the press???

Sandra Felgueiras: How many legal actions are you planning to put in Portugal?

Gerry McCann: If you speak to Isabel. We take all our advice from Isabel regarding further actions.

Isabel Duarte: As many as necessary.

UK Photographer: Will you show it this way?

Portuguese Journalist: Gerry what's your next step?

UK Photographer: Gerry and Kate this way please, this way. In the middle please. Gerry and Kate. Thank you.

British Female journalist: Sorry Mrs McCann, are you intending to come next week? Your husband can't so....

Kate McCann: I've got no plans to come next week, no.

Portuguese Journalist: What will you do if the judge forwards the complaint and asks for the re-opening of the case?

Gerry McCann: Thank you.

Isabel Duarte: Questions about the legal actions are with me.

Who tells the truth? Kate and Gerry McCann or Dr Gonçalo Amaral?