Portuguese police good at clearing up crime but let down by lack of experience

Portuguese police good at clearing up crime but let down by lack of experience
Missing Madeleine; Factbox
Thomas Catan
29 May 2007
The Times

Hard-pressed officers are not used to dealing with the media's unrelenting attention, Thomas Catan writes

Britons have been aghast to learn that it took Portuguese police more than three weeks to release a description of a man seen carrying a little blonde girl away from the flat where Madeleine McCann was abducted -and then only after the intervention of Gordon Brown.

The abilities of Portuguese police have been doubted almost from the day the investigation began. But despite the confusion surrounding the search for the four-year-old girl, experts say that Portugal has a good record in clearing up crime.

The greatest difference between Portuguese and British police is that "Scotland Yard is technologically much more geared-up", says Francisco Moita Flores, a Portuguese law enforcement expert. "Aside from this, the English police work in a country with a massive amount of crime, (while) Portugal is one of the safest places in Europe."

Portugal does have one of the lowest crime rates in Europe, according to figures from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. But the country also has a series of overlapping police agencies, which can be confusing for foreigners.

The body investigating Madeleine's disappearance, the Policia Judiciaria (PJ), is the main police agency and is broadly equivalent to Scotland Yard. The Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR), a semi-militarised force operating mainly in rural areas, has featured heavily in the television coverage of the case, but is in fact merely playing a supporting role, guarding the crime scene and handling sniffer dogs. The Policia de Seguranca Publica (PSP) provides uniformed police officers for town and city work -the "bobbies on the beat" -while an alphabet-soup of other agencies have specialised functions, such as fighting terrorism or drug trafficking.

While the PJ has a good record in solving crimes, experts say it is often hampered by organisational problems. "The PJ is as good as Scotland Yard or the FBI," said Jose Vegar, a crime reporter. "The problem is that they don't have any co-ordination with other police forces and they don't share intelligence. They also lack the state-of-the art tools that police have in Britain."

When accused of being unco-operative, Portuguese police often point to a law that theoretically prevents them from divulging any information about a case.

Journalists say that the lack of official information is more a matter of style and that they have to rely on leaks from police contacts for information. One only half-joked when he said: "You know when the information you have printed is correct, because the police threaten to take action against you. Otherwise, rumours are almost never confirmed or denied."

Portuguese police are unaccustomed to such intense and extended public scrutiny, much less from the international media. "You have to remember that the police in Portugal have only about ten years' experience dealing with the media," Mr Vegar said. "They are still not very good at it. They also aren't used to the way the British media works."

At a recent press conference, one television reporter asked how police could justify dedicating such a large part of their resources to the hunt for Madeleine when there were Portuguese children missing. The families of two such children - Rui Pedro Mendonca and Rui Pereira -have expressed frustration that their cases did not receive the same attention from police.

The PJ is under enormous pressure to solve the crime, which is seen by Portugal's Government as a potential threat to their tourism industry. The British Ambassador in Lisbon, John Buck, has spoken directly with ministers and now Gordon Brown has become involved.

The officers at the centre of the investigation are certainly feeling the heat. An attendant at a car park in Portimao pointed to a car driven by one of the officers directing the case and said that it had not moved for days. "They sleep at the police station now," he said.

Portuguese detectives have said that criticism of their work is prompted by ignorance of their methods. "It's not going to affect our work," said Chief Inspector Olegario de Sousa. "It's natural for our officers to feel hurt by these criticisms, but it has just made us more determined. We shall work, remain calm and keep a cool head."

DETECTION RATES COMPARED

* Portuguese police solved 22.4 per cent of all cases in 2000;  in England and Wales the rate was 25 per cent

* English police are marginally better at solving rape cases (54 per cent compared with 46.3 per cent) and serious assault (66 per cent against 60.4 per cent)

* Only in murder cases are English police significantly more successful than Portuguese - they solve 90 per cent of killings, compared with 56.6 per cent


Source: Interpol

Continue Reading... Labels: 2007, Ambassador John Buck, Gordon Brown, Madeleine McCann

Suspect's description made public after family pressure

Suspect's description made public after family pressure
MADELEINE DISAPPEARANCE: INFORMATION ROW 
Threat of legal action forced Portuguese police into releasing details of sighting
Torcuil Crichton
27 May 2007
Sunday Herald

PORTUGUESE police were forced into releasing a description of a suspect wanted in connection with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann after the parents of the missing girl held discussions with prime minister-in-waiting Gordon Brown and threatened legal action.

Last night, 23 days after their daughter went missing from a Portuguese holiday resort, the British couple welcomed news that police had released the description of a man seen carrying what was thought to be a child.

The McCanns were desperate to release the details but the Portuguese police, bound by national secrecy laws, have issued little in the way of details about the case and few appeals for information in the course of the inquiry.

The chancellor, Gordon Brown, has spoken to Gerry McCann on several occasions in recent days and pledged to do everything he could to support the family, who remain at the Ocean Club Mark Warner resort in the Algarve town of Praia da Luz where Madeleine was snatched from her bed.

The McCanns are now convinced that a white man aged around 35 to 40, spotted by a friend of the couple near their apartment at 9.30pm, was holding Madeleine. He was of medium build, about 5ft 10ins tall and wearing a dark jacket and beige trousers.

Portuguese police have known about the sighting for three weeks but because of laws which forbid the release of details of an investigation, details of the sighting could not be made public.

However, after a meeting between the McCanns and senior Portuguese officials, the police issued the physical description on Friday.

Although they have praised the efforts being made to find Madeleine, the McCanns were said to be increasingly frustrated in recent days at perceived delays and communication problems.

The family, whose lawyers have been in the Algarve recently, threatened legal action to push for the information to be released. On Friday night, after clearance was given by a public prosecutor, Portugal's Policia Judiciaria finally released the man's description, appealing for information.

In the UK, such a vital piece of the jigsaw would have been released early on in the investigation in the hope of witnesses coming forward.


The family had a series of meetings with British ambassador John Buck over the past three weeks, as well as with British and Portuguese police.

Yesterday Gerry McCann said that the talks were amicable and constructive, and insisted the sighting could prove "significant and relevant" in finding four-year-old Madeleine.

McCann said he and wife Kate wanted "more than anything" to get their daughter back safe and well.

Appealing for help, he said: "Any information, no matter how unimportant you think it could be, might be vital in helping the Portuguese and British police find our daughter." Kate McCann – who was still gripping Madeleine's pink Cuddle Cat toy – held her husband's hand as he urged the public to step forward if they had any information.

"Was this man seen anywhere else in or near the town with a child, or what appeared to be a child? Which direction was he heading in? Did he have a vehicle?" he asked.

After making their plea, the couple spent the afternoon with their two-yearold twins, Sean and Amelie, and took them swimming. They say they are determined to make life as normal for the children as they wait for news of their elder sister.

The discussions with Gordon Brown were an added boost to the McCanns after all other leads appeared to have gone cold.

Clarence Mitchell, a spokesman for the family, said: "I can confirm that telephone conversations have taken place between Gerry McCann and Chancellor Gordon Brown. He offered both Gerry and Kate his full support in their efforts to find Madeleine, although details of the conversations will remain private." A Treasury spokesman refused to confirm that Brown had personally intervened to get the Portuguese police to change their minds on releasing the information.

Already there have been reports of a possible second sighting of the man carrying what appeared to be a child in Praia da Luz that night.

Although the reports have not been confirmed, a friend of the family said yesterday: "This is why the family were pushing to get that [sighting information] out there early, because they are hopeful that a number of other people might have seen her." As the police investigation into Madeleine's disappearance continued, the cordons around the McCann's apartment were narrowed. Telephone experts from the UK have travelled to the resort to examine all landline and mobile calls made on the night of the abduction, May 3, according to local newspaper Jornal de Noticias.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall yesterday said they had been following Madeleine's case "closely and with deep concern" and they "fervently hoped" she would be reunited with her family.

The couple's remarks were made in a statement from Clarence House and are the latest in a series of high-profile messages of support for the family.

The McCanns are currently planning trips to Spain, Germany and Holland to raise the profile of their daughter's case.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2007, Ambassador John Buck, Clarence Mitchell, Gordon Brown, Madeleine McCann

Brown urged police to give more details

Brown urged police to give more details:
Chancellor acts after parents voice their concern at the lack of disclosure by Portuguese detectives
Brendan de Beer Praia da Luz
27 May 2007
The Observer

GORDON BROWN has personally intervened in the search for missing four-year-old Madeleine McCann after her parents became frustrated by the lack of progress in the police investigation.

After a series of telephone conversations with Madeleine's father, Gerry McCann in recent days, the Chancellor requested assistance from the Foreign Office and the Home Office. He asked that pressure be brought to bear on the Portuguese authorities to allow more information about the inquiry to be made public.

Gerry and his wife, Kate, have been desperate for a description of a man seen carrying what appears to have been a child on 3 May to be made public, but Portuguese police refused for three weeks because of the country's laws, which forbid the details of an investigation being released.

The Observer understands that Brown gave the McCanns an assurance he would do 'anything he can' to help. The British embassy duly applied pressure on the Portuguese authorities to find more flexibility in their secrecy laws. British ambassador John Buck visited the Algarve last Thursday. A day later Portuguese police made a U-turn and issued a detailed description of the man, said to be white, 35 to 40, 5ft 10in and of medium build, with hair longer around the neck, wearing a dark jacket, light beige trousers and dark shoes.


Asked whether Brown had influenced the decision, Clarence Mitchell, a Foreign Office spokesman for the McCann family in the Algarve, said: 'Draw your own conclusions.' He said in a statement: 'I can confirm that telephone conversations have taken place between Gerry McCann and Chancellor Gordon Brown. During them, Mr Brown offered both Gerry and Kate his full support in their efforts to find Madeleine, although details of the conversations will remain private.'

Although they have praised the efforts being made to find their daughter, the McCanns were said to be increasingly frustrated in recent days at delays and communication problems. The family have met lawyers in the Algarve and threatened legal action to push for the information to be released because of the exceptional circumstances.

The Observer can confirm that a top law firm in London had been asked late last week to seek legal avenues through which the McCanns could be kept up to date on the latest developments in the investigations.

It also emerged yesterday that The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall had been following the case 'closely and with deep concern'.

The McCanns yesterday emerged from their apartment to say that they had had an 'amicable and very constructive' meeting with police. 'We very much welcome the decision of the police authorities to release details of a man seen by witnesses here in Praia da Luz on Thursday, 3 May, the night of Madeleine's disappearance,' Gerry said in a statement.

'The release of this important information followed an earlier meeting we had with senior police officers. We feel sure that this sighting of a man with what appeared to be a child in his arms is both significant and relevant to Madeleine's abduction.'

It emerged that the couple plan to widen their search across Europe. The McCanns are expected to visit Seville and Madrid before moving on to Berlin and Amsterdam. A source said that the reasoning behind the visits is that, 'after Britons, Spanish, Germans and the Dutch are the most frequent visitors to the Algarve', and the most likely to have seen something suspicious.

The campaign fund is now well over pounds 300,000, according to Mitchell. He stressed that the McCanns 'never asked for a single euro'.

In a new interview yesterday the McCanns spoke about their feelings since the night they left their three children asleep in a holiday complex apartment while they dined with friends in the complex's grounds, returning to find Madeleine had been abducted, and their refusal to give up hope of welcoming her back with 'a very big hug'. Asked if she forgets for even one second that her daughter is missing, Kate said: 'Madeleine is such a huge personality it is obvious when she is not there.'

Gerry, wearing yellow and green ribbons on his wrist to accompany those his wife has tied to her hair for more than three weeks, said: 'My waking thought is that the phone by the bedside has not rung. And that means Madeleine has not been found.'

Kate added: 'I am better in the morning, it seems like a fresh start. Evenings are harder. '

The McCanns are drawing strength from their twins, two-year-old Sean and Amelie. Kate said: 'The twins are so young they just get on with things, but obviously we don't want them to forget about Madeleine. We are hoping to see a child psychologist to explain what has happened to Madeleine to the twins.'

She added: 'They help us to get through this. We are a strong family and they were so close to Madeleine, only 20 months apart.'

Gerry said: 'We could have lost the twins too. There were three children in the room. That's the worst nightmare. . . This is so rare. It's a million to one. We really have to make sure it doesn't affect the twins growing up and their normal childhood. 'This is not a time for grieving. We believe she is still alive, so grief is not the appropriate emotion. We are absolutely determined to get her back. It's a bit like we are waging a war. It's a backs-to-the-wall thing.' His eyes welled up with tears when asked the first thing he would do if Madeleine returned home.

'I think we will be having a very big hug. Hope, strength and courage are our motto. There is nothing more I would like than to see Madeleine walk in, so we could use the fund to help find other missing children.'

Continue Reading... Labels: 2007, Ambassador John Buck, Clarence Mitchell, Gordon Brown, Madeleine McCann

At night we sleep with our twins to be sure they're safe

At night we sleep with our twins to be sure they're safe
Sara Nuwar & Ross Hall in Praia da Luz, Portugal
27 May 2007
The News of the World

Maddie's mum can't be apart

Missing Madeleine McCann's parents last night told how they now have their twins sleeping in their bed- so they can keep a constant eye on them.

Mum Kate revealed she is so haunted by the disappearance of four-year-old Maddie, snatched from her bed while the couple ate, that she hates to be parted from two-year-olds Sean and Amelie.

In the couple's first newspaper interview, Kate spoke about keeping their other children safe and admitted: "The twins sleep in the bed with us now. They help us to get through this."

But she and husband Gerry, both 38, are trying not to be too over-protective towards them in the aftermath of Maddie's abduction.

Gerry said: "We really have to make sure it doesn't affect the twins growing up and their normal childhood."

The couple, both doctors, from Rothley, Leics, revealed Sean and Amelie will see a child psychologist next week.

Heartbreak

Kate said: "They are so young they just get on with things but obviously we don't want them to forget about Madeleine. We are hoping to see a psychologist to explain what has happened to Madeleine to the twins."

Yesterday the family looked like any other as they played in a park close to the apartment in Praia da Luz, where Madeleine went missing on May 3.

Sean played on a slide while his sister went on the swings.

Kate, wearing the now-familiar yellow and green ribbons in her hair, pushed as Amelie shouted, "Higher, Mummy, higher. Good fun".

But behind the smiles lurks the continuing heartbreak of Madeleine's disappearance.

Gerry said: "My waking thought is that the phone by the bedside has not rung. That means Madeleine has not been found."

Kate said: "Madeleine is such a huge personality it's obvious when she's not here.

I'm better in the morning. It seems like a fresh start. Evenings are harder."

The couple confessed they still cannot think about returning home without Maddie.

On a flying visit to Rothley this week, Gerry was unable to go into the house, let alone Maddie's room.

He confessed: "As I drove into the village I was thinking, 'There should be five of us coming home'. But this is not a time for grieving. We believe she is still alive so grief is not the appropriate emotion.

"We are absolutely determined to get her back. But it could have been worse-we could have lost the twins too. There were three children in the room. That's the worst nightmare."

Tears welled in Gerry's eyes as he thought about the first thing he will do when Madeleine returns home. He said: "We will be having a very big hug."

The couple will make trips around Europe to keep the hunt for Maddie in the headlines and then return to Portugal.

Gerry explained: "It's important to make sure Madeleine's profile and image is as well-known as possible.

"We have to cover Spain because we are so close to the borders. But I hope she is still in Portugal because if that's the case it should just be a matter of time before they find her."

Late yesterday Gerry welcomed the decision to release details of a man seen by a witness with what appeared to be a child in his arms in Praia da Luz on the night Maddie disappeared.

The McCanns had threatened legal action if the man's description was not released.

He is described as 35 to 40, 5ft 10ins, medium build, wearing a dark jacket, beige trousers and dark shoes.

Meanwhile, the only officially named suspect surfaced for the first time since being quizzed over her disappearance. Robert Murat, left, 33, drove off yesterday morning from his mother's villa 150 yards from where Maddie was snatched.

 

Continue Reading... Labels: 2007, Lori Campbell, Madeleine McCann, News of the World, Robert Murat, Ross Hall

Maddie's mum can't bear to leave them

Maddie's mum can't bear to leave them
Sara Nuwar & Ross Hall in Praia Da Luz, Portugal
27 May 2007
The News of the World

At night we sleep with our twins to be sure they're safe

MISSING Madeleine McCann's parents last night told how they now have their twins sleeping in their bed-so they can keep a constant eye on them.

Mum Kate revealed she is so haunted by the disappearance of four-year-old Maddie, snatched from her bed while the couple ate, that she hates to be parted from two-year-olds Sean and Amelie.

In the couple's first newspaper interview, Kate spoke about keeping their other children safe, admitting: "The twins sleep in the bed with us now. They help us to get through this."

She was speaking as it emerged PM-to-be Gordon Brown has had a series of phone conversations with her husband Gerry. A spokesman for the family said: "Mr Brown offered Gerry and Kate his full support in their efforts to find Madeleine."

Kate and Gerry, both 38, revealed they are trying not to be too over protective towards the twins in the aftermath of Maddie's abduction.

Hoping

Gerry said: "We really have to make sure it doesn't affect the twins growing up and their normal childhood."

The couple, both doctors, from Rothley, Leics, revealed Sean and Amelie will see a child psychologist next week. Kate said: "They are so young they just get on with things but obviously we don't want them to forget about Madeleine. We are hoping to see a psychologist to explain what has happened to Madeleine to the twins."

Yesterday the family looked like any other as they played in a park close to the apartment in Praia da Luz, where Madeleine went missing on May 3.

Sean played on a slide and his sister on the swings. Kate, with the now familiar yellow and green ribbons in her hair, pushed as Amelie shouted, "Higher, Mummy, higher. Good fun".

But behind the smiles lurks the continuing heartbreak of Madeleine's disappearance. Gerry said: "My waking thought is that the phone by the bedside has not rung. That means Madeleine has not been found." Kate said: "Madeleine is such a huge personality it's obvious when she's not here. I'm better in the morning. It seems like a fresh start. Evenings are harder.

"The only thing that will make us feel good is having Madeleine back. We will do anything. It's what Madeleine deserves."

The couple confessed they still cannot think about returning home without her. On a flying visit to Rothley this week, Gerry was unable to go into the house, let alone Maddie's room.

He confessed: "I was thinking, 'There should be five of us coming home'. But this is not a time for grieving. We believe she is still alive so grief is not the appropriate emotion.

"We are absolutely determined to get her back. But it could have been worse-we could have lost the twins too. There were three children in the room. That's the worst nightmare."

Tears welled in Gerry's eyes as he thought about the first thing he will do when Madeleine returns home. He said: "We will be having a very big hug."

The couple will make trips around Europe to keep the hunt for Maddie in the headlines and then return to Portugal.

Gerry explained: "It's important to make sure Madeleine's profile and image is as well-known as possible.

"We have to cover Spain because we are so close to the borders. But I hope she is still in Portugal because if that's the case it should just be a matter of time before they find her."

Late yesterday Gerry welcomed the decision to release details of a man seen by a witness with what appeared to be a child in his arms in Praia da Luz on the night Maddie disappeared.

The McCanns had threatened legal action if the man's description was not released.

He is 35 to 40, 5ft 10ins, medium build, wearing a dark jacket, beige trousers and dark shoes.

Meanwhile, the only officially named suspect surfaced for the first time since being quizzed over her disappearance. Robert Murat, left, 33, drove off yesterday morning from his mother's villa 150 yards from where Maddie was snatched.


 

Continue Reading... Labels: 2007, Lori Campbell, Madeleine McCann, News of the World, Robert Murat, Ross Hall

At night we sleep with our twins to be sure they're safe

At night we sleep with our twins to be sure they're safe
Sara Nuwar & Ross Hall in Praia da Luz, Portugal
27 May 2007
The News of the World

Maddie's mum can't be apart

Missing Madeleine McCann's parents last night told how they now have their twins sleeping in their bed- so they can keep a constant eye on them.

Mum Kate revealed she is so haunted by the disappearance of four-year-old Maddie, snatched from her bed while the couple ate, that she hates to be parted from two-year-olds Sean and Amelie.

In the couple's first newspaper interview, Kate spoke about keeping their other children safe and admitted: "The twins sleep in the bed with us now. They help us to get through this."

But she and husband Gerry, both 38, are trying not to be too over-protective towards them in the aftermath of Maddie's abduction.

Gerry said: "We really have to make sure it doesn't affect the twins growing up and their normal childhood."

The couple, both doctors, from Rothley, Leics, revealed Sean and Amelie will see a child psychologist next week.

Heartbreak

Kate said: "They are so young they just get on with things but obviously we don't want them to forget about Madeleine. We are hoping to see a psychologist to explain what has happened to Madeleine to the twins."

Yesterday the family looked like any other as they played in a park close to the apartment in Praia da Luz, where Madeleine went missing on May 3.

Sean played on a slide while his sister went on the swings.

Kate, wearing the now-familiar yellow and green ribbons in her hair, pushed as Amelie shouted, "Higher, Mummy, higher. Good fun".

But behind the smiles lurks the continuing heartbreak of Madeleine's disappearance.

Gerry said: "My waking thought is that the phone by the bedside has not rung. That means Madeleine has not been found."

Kate said: "Madeleine is such a huge personality it's obvious when she's not here.

I'm better in the morning. It seems like a fresh start. Evenings are harder."

The couple confessed they still cannot think about returning home without Maddie.

On a flying visit to Rothley this week, Gerry was unable to go into the house, let alone Maddie's room.

He confessed: "As I drove into the village I was thinking, 'There should be five of us coming home'. But this is not a time for grieving. We believe she is still alive so grief is not the appropriate emotion.

"We are absolutely determined to get her back. But it could have been worse-we could have lost the twins too. There were three children in the room. That's the worst nightmare."

Tears welled in Gerry's eyes as he thought about the first thing he will do when Madeleine returns home. He said: "We will be having a very big hug."

The couple will make trips around Europe to keep the hunt for Maddie in the headlines and then return to Portugal.

Gerry explained: "It's important to make sure Madeleine's profile and image is as well-known as possible.

"We have to cover Spain because we are so close to the borders. But I hope she is still in Portugal because if that's the case it should just be a matter of time before they find her."

Late yesterday Gerry welcomed the decision to release details of a man seen by a witness with what appeared to be a child in his arms in Praia da Luz on the night Maddie disappeared.

The McCanns had threatened legal action if the man's description was not released.

He is described as 35 to 40, 5ft 10ins, medium build, wearing a dark jacket, beige trousers and dark shoes.

Meanwhile, the only officially named suspect surfaced for the first time since being quizzed over her disappearance. Robert Murat, left, 33, drove off yesterday morning from his mother's villa 150 yards from where Maddie was snatched.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2007, Lori Campbell, Madeleine McCann, News of the World, Robert Murat, Ross Hall

Ex-soldiers launch search for Maddy

26 May 2007
Yorkshire Post

Two Yorkshire ex-soldiers have embarked on their own personal search mission around the village where Madeleine McCann was abducted. Colin Sahlke, 46, from Keighley and Steve Taylor, 32, from Leeds are scouring rough ground and abandoned buildings around Praia Da Luz hoping for a breakthrough more than three weeks after the four-year-old went missing.

Mr Sahlke and Mr Taylor say they are not interested in rewards but just want to help find Madeleine.

The pair say their aim is to at least help restore the McCanns' "faith in humanity".

Mr Taylor, who is a father of five, said: "I can't imagine even an inkling how they are feeling." Describing the pair's mission he said: "We are here to help find or put pressure on the people who know where Madeleine is to either give her up or cock up and leave a clue." The former infantryman met Mr Sahlke while the pair were working at a shower factory in Nelson and have both given up their jobs for the search.

Mr Sahlke has also given up his rented flat and has sold possessions to raise £5,000 to fund their endeavour.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2007, Find Madeleine Fund, Madeleine McCann

Maddie is on a trip..she will be back very soon

26 May 2007
Scottish Daily Record
Mark McGivern

McCANN INTERVIEW.. What twins have told parents of missing big sister

TWINS Sean and Amelie McCann have told their parents: "Madeleine is on a trip - she will be back soon."

They are sure they will see their four-year-old sister again.

And even though the two-year-olds have not seen her for three weeks, they still refer to their big sister.

Mum Kate said the youngsters had been very strong, despite knowing something was wrong.

She said: "They're really good. They're at an age where they're still quite young and it hasn't had the same impact as if they were a bit older.

"They do talk about Madeleine. They pick things up and say, 'Madeleine's' - and that's fine. They're really good."

Kate and husband Gerry told how they were enduring every parent's worst nightmare, as they gave their first detailed interview since Madeleine's abduction 23 days ago.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2007, Madeleine McCann

Search for man seen with child

26 May 2007
The Sun
Ian Hepburn

PORTUGUESE cops admitted yesterday they are hunting a man seen carrying a child near the time Maddie was snatched - after the McCanns threatened legal action.

The frustrated couple said they would resort to lawyers if the information was not made public.

Cops had the detailed description TWO DAYS days after the kidnap.

The suspect was seen in the area at 9.30pm - and "carrying a child or an object that could have been taken as a child".

Chief Inspector Olegario da Sousa said the man was 35 to 40, medium build and 5ft 10in. He was wearing a dark jacket, light beige trousers and dark shoes.

Meanwhile, ex-squaddies Colin Sahlke, 46, and Steve Taylor, 32, have quit their jobs in Leeds to search for Maddie on the Algarve.

They say they will not touch any reward money if they find the tot.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2007, Madeleine McCann

Police Forced Into U-Turn In Missing Madeleine Hunt

Police Forced Into U-Turn In Missing Madeleine Hunt
26 May 2007
Press Association National Newswire
Caroline Gammell and John Bingham, PA in Praia da Luz

Portuguese police were forced to make an embarrassing U-turn after the parents of missing Madeleine McCann held discussions with prime minister-in-waiting Gordon Brown, it emerged today.

The Chancellor spoke to Gerry McCann on several occasions in recent days and pledged to do everything he could to support the family.

The McCanns were desperate to release details about a man seen carrying what was thought to be a child on the night Madeleine went missing and had threatened legal action.

But after a meeting between the couple and senior Portuguese officials, the police relented and a physical description was issued.

Today, Mr McCann said the talks were amicable and constructive and insisted the sighting could prove 'significant and relevant'' in finding the four-year-old.

It is 23 days since Madeleine was snatched from her bed at the Ocean Club Mark Warner resort in the Algarve town of Praia da Luz.

Mr McCann said he and wife Kate wanted 'more than anything'' to get their daughter back safe and well.

Appealing for help, he said: 'Any information, no matter how unimportant you think it could be might be vital in helping the Portuguese and British police find our daughter.''

Mrs McCann - still holding Madeleine's pink Cuddle Cat - held her husband's hand as he urged the public to step forward.

'Was this man seen anywhere else in or near the town with a child, or what appeared to be a child?

'Which direction was he heading in? Did he have a vehicle?''

After making their plea, the couple spent the afternoon with their two-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie, and took them swimming.

They are determined to make life as normal for the children as they wait for any news of their elder sister.

The top level discussions with Mr Brown were an added boost to the McCanns after all other leads appeared to have gone cold.

Clarence Mitchell, a spokesman for the family, said: 'I can confirm that telephone conversations have taken place between Gerry McCann and Chancellor Gordon Brown.

'During them, Mr Brown offered both Gerry and Kate his full support in their efforts to find Madeleine, although details of the conversations will remain private.

'The conversations took place against the background of the Chancellor's earlier offer to help when he met and spoke to other members of the McCann family in the UK.''

A Treasury spokesman refused to confirm that Mr Brown had personally intervened to get the Portuguese police to change their minds on releasing the information.

The McCanns are convinced that a white man aged around 35 to 40 spotted by a friend of the couple near their apartment at 9.30pm was holding Madeleine.

He was medium build, 5ft 10ins tall, wearing a dark jacket and beige trousers.

Portuguese police have known about the sighting for three weeks but because of extraordinary laws which forbid the release of details of an investigation the sighting could not be publicly released.

In other countries such a vital piece of the jigsaw would have been released early on in the hope of future witnesses coming forward.

The family, whose lawyers have been in the Algarve recently, had a series of meetings with British ambassador John Buck over the past three weeks as well as with British and Portuguese police.

Today it emerged that Mr Brown had spoken to Mr McCann by telephone more than once.

Last night, after clearance was given by a public prosecutor, Portugal's Policia Judiciaria (PJ) finally gave way and released the description, appealing for information.

Already there have been reports of a possible second sighting of the man carrying what appeared to be a child in Praia Da Luz that night.

Although the reports have not been confirmed a friend of the family said today: 'This is why the family were pushing to get that out there early because they are hopeful that a number of other people might have seen her.''

As the police investigation into Madeleine's disappearance continued, the cordons around the McCann's apartment were narrowed.

Telephone experts from the UK have travelled to the resort town to examine all landline and mobile calls made on the evening of May 3, the night of the abduction, according to local paper Jornal de Noticias.

And two former British soldiers who have volunteered to help in the hunt have been searching empty warehouses in the area.

The hunt for Madeleine has sparked interest across the world, including China, South Africa and the US.

The McCanns are currently planning trips to Spain, Germany and Holland to raise the profile of their daughter's case.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2007, Ambassador John Buck, Clarence Mitchell, Gordon Brown, Madeleine McCann