BRITISH FOREIGN OFFICE
TIMELINE
TIMELINE
John Buck
British Ambassador to Portugal from 2004 to September 2007
British Ambassador to Portugal from 2004 to September 2007
Left office the day after the McCanns were made arguidos.
Alexander Wykeham Ellis
British Ambassador to Portugal from September 2007 to January 2011
(See Wikileaks cable between Ellis and US ambassador Al Hoffman)
British Ambassador to Portugal from September 2007 to January 2011
(See Wikileaks cable between Ellis and US ambassador Al Hoffman)
Ellis was appointed as Director of Strategy for the Foreign Office, commencing in January 2011. Joanna Kuenssberg O'Sullivan, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy took interim role of representing the British diplomatic presence in Portugal until a replacement was found.
Ms Jill Gallard
Current British Ambassador to Portugal
Thursday May 3, 2007 :
- John Buck, the British ambassador in Portugal, called Alípio Ribeiro, the Polícia Judiciária’s national director, on the night that Madeleine disappeared from the Ocean Club.
- At around 11 p.m., approximately one hour after the child’s disappearance was reported, Alípio Ribeiro had to interrupt a private dinner in order to listen to the diplomat.
- Ambassador Buck drove from Lisbon to Praia da Luz. (Distance is approximately 3 hours by car.)
- Drove in from Lisbon "to be with the family after they begged him for help."
- Embassy spokesman said Buck was driving down to do everything for the McCanns that he could.
- Ambassador Buck and 3 "family liaison officers from Leicestershire police held a private meeting with the McCanns "at the resort" on the afternoon of May 5th.
- Announced to reporters that 3 British police agents had arrived from Leicestershire to help with the investigation. He stated that the officers would act as a "liaison" between the McCanns and Portuguese police and between the Portuguese and British police. "..Mr. Buck was there to introduce the family liaison officers to the McCanns..."
- The 3 "family liaison officers were flown out "at the request of the Foreign Commonwealth Office.
- Leicestershire spokeswoman said the 3 officers were there "simply to assist the family" and were not going to have anything to do with the investigation at this point.
- Told reporters that the investigation had been "intensive and extensive".
- Reportedly Ambassador Buck "accompanied the couple...during the search on May 5"
- Reported to have been "...with the family throughout their ordeal..."
- Ambassador Buck's intervention was credited by the McCann's family and friends as being the only reason that the search for Madeleine was upgraded to a major investigation.
- "Despite being convinced - for reasons they have refused to make public - that Madeleine is still in the Algarve, Interpol have been alerted about her disappearance and checks were being made at every Portuguese port and airport."
- Ambassador Buck attended church service officiated by Father Jose Manuel Pacheco.
- Ambassador Buck apparently returned to Lisbon (or elsewhere, as later articles stated that he RETURNED to the Algarve on Tuesday May 8th.)
- Ambassador Buck traveled to the Algarve and met the McCanns. Reports were that the meeting lasted an hour.
- He gave a television interview in which he said he had been in touch with Portuguese ministers and the prime minister Jose Socrates, and senior police chiefs who assured him everything possible was being done to ensure the safe return of Madeleine. Buck said that he was making sure the links between the British and Portuguese officers were working, after concerns had begun to be expressed regarding the experience and expertise of the Portuguese investigators.
- He made a statement to the media announcing the arrival of additional British experts
- Said that investigators were in close touch with Interpol and Europol
- Said the McCanns were "very grateful for their efforts"
- Ambassador Buck was interviewed by the Leicester Mercury. Quote: "As you know, I spent quite a lot of time with the McCann family on Friday and over the weekend. "I wanted to come down today to see Kate and Gerry again and to continue to support our consular staff, who have been working on this for a number of days."
- An email between Portimao and Lisbon of 9 May 2007 was the subject of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request asking for Ambassador Buck's communications related to the McCanns. This email (or a portion of it) was withheld based on "Personal Information" exemption: Section 40 (2) and (3) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
- Further information emerged regarding the 2 additional experts Buck had announced on Tuesday May 8th.
- Ambassador Buck said they were "kidnapping experts" and had joined the 3 other British investigators who had been in Portugal since Saturday
- "... two 'Cracker-style' criminal behaviour experts from Britain flew into the Algarve yesterday to join investigators..."
- They were from CEOP and their dispatch had been organised by the British Foreign Office.
- "A spokeswoman for the CEOP said the move was unprecedented and had been organised by the Foreign Office."
- A Foreign Commonwealth Office internal email of 10 May 2007 (12a) was the subject of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request asking for Ambassador Buck's communications related to the McCanns. This email (or a portion of it) was withheld based on "International relations" exemption: Section 27.1.a (1)Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice—( a) relations between the United Kingdom and any other State
- A Foreign Commonwealth Office internal email of 10 May 2007 (13aa) was the subject of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request asking for Ambassador Buck's communications related to the McCanns. This email (or a portion of it) was withheld based on "International relations" exemption: Section 27.1.a.(1)Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice—( a) relations between the United Kingdom and any other State
- An email between the Foreign Commonwealth Office and John Buck of 11 May 2007 was the subject of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request asking for Ambassador Buck's communications related to the McCanns. This email (or a portion of it) was withheld based on "International relations" exemption: Section 27.1.a. (1)Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice—( a) relations between the United Kingdom and any other State
- An email between John Buck and the Foreign Commonwealth Office of 11 May 2007 was the subject of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request asking for Ambassador Buck's communications related to the McCanns. This email (or a portion of it) was withheld based on "International relations" exemption: Section 27.1.a. (1)Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice—( a) relations between the United Kingdom and any other State
- An internal Foreign Commonwealth Office email of 11 May 2007 was the subject of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request asking for Ambassador Buck's communications related to the McCanns. This email (or a portion of it) was withheld based on "International relations" exemption: Section 27.1.a.(1)Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice—( a) relations between the United Kingdom and any other State
- Ambassador Buck present in Praia da Luz
- Spoke to national chief of police in Lisbon and chief investigating officer in the Algarve.
- Thanked journalists for respecting the McCann's privacy and said there were impressive resources allocated to the investigation. Said the resources are primarily Portuguese but that there were a number of British police officers working closely with their Portuguese colleagues in the Algarve.
- Arrived late for a scheduled news conference and found journalists fleeing toward Casa Lilliana where a search was underway.
- An email between Lisbon and Foreign Commonwealth Office of 15 May 2007 was the subject of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request asking for Ambassador Buck's communications related to the McCanns. This email (or a portion of it) was withheld based on "International relations" exemption: Section 27.1.a.(1)Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice—( a) relations between the United Kingdom and any other State
- A letter from John Buck to Foreign Commonwealth Office of 16 May 2007 was the subject of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request asking for Ambassador Buck's communications related to the McCanns. This email (or a portion of it) was withheld based on "International relations" exemption: Section 27.1.a.(1)Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice—( a) relations between the United Kingdom and any other State
- An internal document was sent by the Foreign Office ordering British diplomats 'to avoid offering support' to Robert Murat unless charges were presented against him." (Note: Murat was made an arguido on May 15 and the Foreign Office internal memo was allegedly dated May 17.)
- An email between Portimao and Foreign Commonwealth Office of 22 May 2007 was the subject of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request asking for Ambassador Buck's communications related to the McCanns. This email (or a portion of it) was withheld based on "International relations" exemption: Section 27.1.a. (1)Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice—( a) relations between the United Kingdom and any other State
- An email between Portimao and Foreign Commonwealth Office of 24 May 2007 was the subject of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request asking for Ambassador Buck's communications related to the McCanns. This email (or a portion of it) was withheld based on "International relations" exemption: Section 27.1.a.(1)Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice—( a) relations between the United Kingdom and any other State
- Ambassador Buck, consular officials and British police had an "informal" meeting with the McCanns "over tea." Reports stated that the McCann's travel plans were up for discussion. The following day Portuguese police issued a detailed description of the "possible suspect".
- Reports were that ""...The British embassy duly applied pressure on the Portuguese authorities to find more flexibility in their secrecy laws..."
- Ambassador Buck met again with the McCanns and British police.
- Portuguese police issued detailed description of possible abductor.
- News emerged that the McCanns had held discussions with Gordon Brown
- Personal intervention of Gordon Brown was reported. Gordon Brown was reported to have urged police to give more public details after the McCanns voiced their concern about the lack of disclosure by Portuguese detectives.
- A Foreign Commonwealth Office internal email of 18 June 2007 was the subject of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request asking for Ambassador Buck's communications related to the McCanns. This email (or a portion of it) was withheld based on "International relations" exemption: Section 27.1.a.(1)Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice—( a) relations between the United Kingdom and any other State
- An email between John Buck and Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO)/ Portimao of 19 June 2007 was the subject of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request asking for Ambassador Buck's communications related to the McCanns. This email (or a portion of it) was withheld based on "International relations" exemption: Section 27.1.a.(1)Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice—( a) relations between the United Kingdom and any other State
- An email between Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO)/ Lisbon of of 21 June 2007 (19b) was the subject of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request asking for Ambassador Buck's communications related to the McCanns. This email (or a portion of it) was withheld based on "Personal Information" exemption: Section 40 (2) and (3) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
- Ambassador John Buck was replaced as the British Ambassador to Portugal by Alexander Ellis. It was announced that Buck had "left the diplomatic service".
- The press release stated that Mr. Ellis would take up this appointment with "immediate effect."
- Background Info re: Alexander Ellis (Source: Guardian/Wikileaks)
"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.
- On September 21, newly-arrived British Ambassador Alexander Wykeham Ellis informed US Ambassador Hoffman that "it was the British police that developed the current evidence against Madeleine McCann's parents."
- Ellis 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.
- "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.
October 2007
- In October 2007 an individual made an FOI request (under the Freedom of Information Act 2000) to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for information concerning communications between the then Ambassador to Portugal John Buck and the Portuguese police on the subject of the disappearance of the child Madeleine McCann. Reference: FS50188322.
- Some information was released straight away and some information was withheld.
- Since that time the Foreign Office released "most" but not all of the requested information. (Withheld information noted above.)
- The Information Commissioner's Office reviewed the matter and in March 2009 decided that the Foreign Office had complied with section 1(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act but had breeched section 1(1)(b) of the Act by failing to provide the information within the specified time limit.
- The commissioner upheld the Foreign Office decision to withold some information, stating that the public interested in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information. The ICO also decided that personal information withheld was done so correctly.
December 3, 2007
- A memo was leaked to the Belgian newspaper La Dernière Heure regarding a diplomat's concerns about the case.
- Questions have been raised as to whether the memo may have been written by Ambassador Buck or someone in his office, although diplomat's name was not published in the newspaper articles.
- The leaked memo was routed through the British diplomatic mission in Brussels
- The leaked memo was sent "just days" after Madeleine disappeared.
- The leaked memo warned the Foreign Office of concerns regarding the McCanns and warned of the risks of siding with the McCanns in public.
- The diplomat immediately had doubts after being sent to Praia da Luz due to what he considered to be inconsistencies in their testimonies and "confused declarations" as to the whereabouts of the McCanns and their friends on May 3.
- The memo mentions instructions "from London" that consular staff "overstretch their authority and put pressure on Portuguese authorities."
- The memo refers to orders sent the previous day from the Foreign Office in London commanding embassy staff to provide all possible assistance to the McCanns and that the McCanns "had to be "accompanied at all times during any contact with the Portuguese police" by a member of consular staff or by British police officers sent out from the UK.
- He also mentioned their lack of cooperation with the Portuguese police
- The memo was sent *from the Algarve* to the Foreign office days after Madeleine "went missing"
- Quote: "With the greatest respect, I would like to make you aware of the risks and implications to our relationship with the Portuguese authorities, if you consider the possible involvement of the couple. "Please confirm to me, in the light of these concerns, that we want to continue to be closely involved in the case as was requested in your previous message."
- The Belgian report also stated that Portuguese detectives believe it is possible Madeleine died as the result of an accident on May 3 in the family's holiday apartment and that her parents hid and later disposed of her body with the help of their friends.
- They said it is highly significant that almost all of the diplomats involved at the outset have now been taken off the case.
- Reports emerged that British diplomats had been ordered by the Foreign Office to "avoid offering support" to Robert Murat.
- The claim was made that an internal Foreign Office memo had sent the instructions three days after Murat was made an arguido (Note: May 15 is the date Murat was made an arguido.)
- According to Spain's El Mundo newspaper, the order was justified due to the "specific nature of the case".
- The internal memo allegedly stated that British diplomats were to "avoid offering support" to Murat unless charges were pressed against him.
SOURCES:
- Abducted Girl's Family Pray For Her Safe Return 6 May 2007 Scotland On Sunday
- Abducted Girl's Relatives Now 'Fear The Worst' Marc Horne 6 May 2007 Scotland On Sunday
- Britain's Diplomats 'Were Told Not To Support Murat' The Daily Express 13 December 2007
- British experts fly to Portugal to help in hunt for Madeleine 9 May 2007 Guardian
- British Diplomat Warned Foreign Office Of Concerns Over McCanns Daily Mail 3 Dec 2007
- British Diplomats 'Were Told To Avoid Offering Support To Murat' 12 Dec 2007 Daily Mail
- British Experts Fly To Portugal To Help In Hunt For Madeleine 9 May 2007 The Guardian
- British Police Join Inquiry Into Madeleine's Disappearance 9 May 2007 The Independent
- British police join inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance 9 May 2007 Belfast Telegraph
- British police arrive in Portugal to help trace kidnapped girl 5 May 2007 Agence France Presse
- Brown Urged Police To Give More Details 27 May 2007 The Observer
- Chancellor 'Spoke To Missing Madeleine's Father' 26 May 2007 Press Association
- Change Of Her Majesty's Ambassador To Portugal / Press Release 10 Sept 2007
- Cops Hunt 'Suspect' 6 May 2007 Sunday Sun
- Cracker pair in Madeleine search 9 May 2007 Evening Times (Scotland)
- Cracker' Experts Join Hunt For Madeleine 9 May 2007 Aberdeen Evening Express
- Diplomat's Secret File That Raises Fears About Her Parents Daily Express Nick Fagge Dec. 3, 2007
- 'Everything Possible Is Being Done' 9 May 2007 Leicester Mercury
- Experts On Tracing Paedophiles Fly Out To Boost Search For Girl; Missing Madeleine May 9, 2007 The Times
- Family Distraught As Hunt For Madeleine Continues 5 May 2007 Press Association
- Finally, Portuguese Police Put Maddy On Their Website 9 May 2007 The Evening Standard
- Find Prime Suspect 6 May 2007 People
- In The Middle Of The Media Scrum 30 May 2007 Leicester Mercury Paul Conroy
- Information Commissioner's Office Freedom Of Information Act 2000 Reference: Fs50188322 3 March 2009 FCO
- Maddie: The Last Picture 25 May 2007 Daily Star
- Madeleine Police Are Doing Their Best, Says Ambassador 9 May 2007 Aberdeen Press & Journal
- Madeleine Police Hunt For Suspect 26 May 2007 The Herald
- Madeleine's Parents 'Can't Consider' Return To Britain 14 May 2007 Press Association
- Madeleine: 350 Possible Leads 9 May 2007 The Scotsman
- Missing British Three-Year-Old 'Abducted 5 May 2007 Press Association
- Missing Toddler's Mum Joins Locals At Church Service 7 May 2007 Aberdeen Press & Journal
- Newscast: Police In Portugal Question And Release British Man 15 May 2007 CBS News: The Early Show
- Nothing Describes Anguish For Our Maddie; Hunt For Lost Maddie 5 May 2007 The Sun
- Parents' anguish for Maddie 6 May 2007 The Sun
- Police Fear British Girl Was Abducted 5 May 2007 The Irish Examiner
- Police Forced Into U-Turn In Missing Madeleine Hunt 26 May 2007 Press Association
- Police Seal Off Villa In Hunt For Madeleine 15 May 2007 The Herald
- Portuguese Hunt Goes On As Ronaldo Appeals For Girl 8 May 2007 Reuters News
- Portuguese Police Good At Clearing Up Crime But Let Down By Lack Of Experience 29 May 2007 The Times
- Portuguese Police Say Missing British Girl May Have Been Abducted 5 May 2007 Associated Press
- Seven Hours After This, Madeleine Was Gone 25 May 2007 Birmingham Post
- Shutters Had Been Jemmied.. Maddie Was Gone 5 May 2007 The Sun
- Statement To The Media By John Buck, British Ambassador To Portugal 08/05/07
- Suspect Is Sought In Search For Girl 5 May 2007 Leicester Mercury
- Suspect's Description Made Public After Family Pressure 27 May 2007 Sunday Herald
- Tape From Petrol Station In Portugal May Show Missing Girl 9 May 2007 Agence France Presse
- The Hunt For Madeleine 10 July 2007 Press Association Aislinn Simpson
- Timeline Of Police Hunt For Missing Child 8 May 2007 Press Association Nicola Boden
- We Know Maddy Monster 6 May 2007 The Express On Sunday
- The PJ is forced to investigate abduction lead 12 August 2007 Correio da Manhã, "PJ forçada a investigar pista de rapto"
