21 October 2007
People
Stewart Whittingham
EXCLUSIVE MADDIE: SHOCK NEW CLAIMS AGAINST POLICE
Gerry 's rage over claim cops didn't check evidence Key papers 'scattered all over the floor ' Weeks behind in putting records on crime computer
HORRIFIED
Kate and Gerry McCann were incandescent with rage last night after cops were accused of a catalogue of incompetence in the hunt for their missing daughter Madeleine.
Insiders claim vital evidence was ditched by boozy officers and crucial documents were ignored.
And weeks were wasted clearing up the mess to get the search for four-year-old Maddie back on track.
The appalling extent of the shambles came to light when Goncalo Amaral, the police chief leading the five month investigation into Maddie's disappearance, was fired.
Sources said replacement Paulo Rebelo, 45, arrived in the resort of Praia da Luz to find:
CRUCIAL papers scattered over the floor of police offices;
A HUGE backlog of files that took two weeks to put on computer; and
BIASED officers who were convinced Kate and Gerry had killed Maddie.
The findings came as beleaguered police faced unrelated accusations of corruption and failing to crack down on a major paedophile ring.
Rebelo immediately SACKED 60 of the 100 cops involved in the search for Maddie.
A source admitted: "There was important material lying all over the place that hadn't been considered by investigators and a lot of key information was discarded.
"Putting all the papers in order has been a massive job."
A source close to Kate and Gerry revealed the 39-year-old couple's fury at the police failings - but welcomed Rebelo's clear-out.
The source said: "They are livid - they cannot believe how badly this has been mishandled.
"Not putting vital information on computer file is so amateurish. But at least the new man seems to know what he is doing."
And spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "We'd be very concerned to hear all the information in the police's hands has not been properly or effectively co-ordinated or collated.
"If Mr Rebelo is strengthening their system that's all to the good."
Rebelo was put in place after Amaral was fired for alleged incompetence - and for being too fixated on his belief Kate and Gerry had killed Madeleine.
Experts said cops FAILED to seal off the McCanns' holiday apartment for 24 hours after Madeleine vanished - meaning key forensic evidence was lost.
Staff at the holiday complex were NOT quizzed for 60 hours, NO roadblocks were set up and cops in neighbouring Spain were NOT alerted for 12 hours.
Rebelo was also told his predecessor had regular threehour boozy lunches when he accused Kate and Gerry of drugging and killing their daughter.
Rebelo confronted Amaral's team at a heated meeting and accused them of having "closed minds". He then fired 60 of them.
Mr Mitchell said: "When Mr Rebelo came in, Kate and Gerry were pleased because it meant a fresh attitude and approach to the case. If the new inquiry is moving in a new direction then that's good."
Rebelo has drafted in specialist murder detectives to join his team, who are almost certain Maddie was killed rather than snatched.
Mr Mitchell said: "Kate and Gerry still believe there is a possibility she's alive.
"But they are realistic enough to know there is a possibility she might be dead.
"If that is the case, any officer with expertise in that sort of inquiry would be welcomed."
Maddie vanished from the holiday apartment 171 days ago as her parents dined with friends nearby.
GP Kate and surgeon Gerry are said to believe she was grabbed by a paedophile - and they launched aworldwide campaign to find her.
But the couple, from Rothley, Leics, were named as official suspects in September.
Insiders say police now admit they have NO evidence against the McCanns.
Meanwhile, a Portuguese court has heard how a top cop allegedly helped a woman run a prostitution racket from a bar. She is said to have given him sex in return.
And the country is bracing itself for a court case about a worldwide paedophile ring which has preyed on more than 100 kids.
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