ITV NEWS reporting now - 'Find Ben Needham' Twitter blocked by official 'Find Madeleine McCann' account

I'm so pleased this has made the news. Just shows them for what they are are it has backfired!

Cristobell wrote:

Bampots wrote:Thanks C. Its Karma. They getting it back lol

   



Should add that from the perspective of 'finding Madeleine' or indeed any other child, it is a pretty drastic thing to do.   How can they conduct a 'search' without a presence on twitter?  Have they given up on Madeleine?  

A clue might lie in one of the people who favourited Sonia's documentary tweet - it is mindblowing

I just took a look, Ros, and noticed that someone called Ross Miller – apparently a fundraising and communications director at Missing People – favourited Sonia's tweet promoting her McCann documentary. My assumption is that it's a mistake – someone at the charity just automatically liking anything with Madeleine McCann's name in it. Are you interpreting it as something more meaningful?

Thanks Andrew......


Madeleine McCann's parents remove official Twitter account because of 'continuous abuse' from trolls

The decision was taken by parents Gerry and Kate McCann because of the "hatred and sheer viciousness" directed at the family on the site

The official Twitter account of the Find Madeleine campaign has been taken down because of 'continuous abuse and negativity' from online trolls.

The decision was made by Maddie's parents Gerry and Kate McCann in the aftermath of a row with the Find Ben Needham Twitter account.

The Find Maddie account blocked the Ben Needham campaign on Twitter, saying "We do not want to be associated with some of the types of people they (@FindBen Needham) follow."

Ben Needham's mum has previously criticised the money spent by police on the search for Madeleine compared to her son - who disappeared in Greece 24 years ago - and other missing children.

Just hours after blocking the account, a statement was posted on the 'Find Madeleine' saying the campaign would remove itself from the 'toxic' social media site.

The statement said: "After talking with Kate and Gerry yesterday, we have decided to delete our Twitter account and focus on Facebook.

"They agree it's time to remove ourselves from a place that allows so much toxic content to be directed at us and does not permit us the ability to protect ourselves from people who want to damage the search for Madeleine.



Find Madeleine ‎@findmadeleine

After talking with Kate and Gerry yesterday, we have decided to delete our Twitter account. They agree it's time... http://fb.me/75glqG5V5


1:07 PM - 5 Oct 2015



Find Madeleine ‎@findmadeleine

Due to the continuous abuse and negativity on Twitter, we will be removing our account within the next few days.


11:32 PM - 4 Oct 2015







"When I started our Facebook and Twitter accounts in 2008, I convinced Kate and Gerry it was a great way to raise awareness. Since that time, I have witnessed overwhelming kindness. There is no doubt that the good far outweigh the bad.

"I have been dismayed, however, at some of the hatred and sheer viciousness directed at Kate and Gerry through our social media accounts for no logical reason at all. At times, it has had me in tears.

"It is hard to accept that some people can be so cruel to a family that has already experienced the worst pain imaginable.


"Further, in the past three weeks on Twitter, we have found ourselves in the uncomfortable position of being expected to "follow" people who align themselves with accounts that abuse us in the most vile ways on a regular basis.

"I believe individuals and social media accounts who do not block people who abuse others are condoning that abuse and providing a platform for it.
As a result, deleting our Twitter account is the only option left to protect ourselves and the search for Madeleine.

Madeleine has been missing since 2007 when she vanished from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal.

Home Office minister Lord Bates recently revealed up to the end of June £10.1million had been spent on the search.

And the department has planned for extra funds of at least £2million to cover the case over the next 12 months.

Last year Metropolitan Police officers were sent to Praia da Luz to further investigate her disappearance.

Popcorn wrote:

Cristobell wrote:

Bampots wrote:Thanks C. Its Karma. They getting it back lol

   



Should add that from the perspective of 'finding Madeleine' or indeed any other child, it is a pretty drastic thing to do.   How can they conduct a 'search' without a presence on twitter?  Have they given up on Madeleine?  

A clue might lie in one of the people who favourited Sonia's documentary tweet - it is mindblowing

I just took a look, Ros, and noticed that someone called Ross Miller – apparently a fundraising and communications director at Missing People – favourited Sonia's tweet promoting her McCann documentary. My assumption is that it's a mistake – someone at the charity just automatically liking anything with Madeleine McCann's name in it. Are you interpreting it as something more meaningful?

That's the one Popcorn, and I don't think it was an error. Serious cracks between McCanns and Missing People methinks.

seahorse wrote:Why 'within the next few days.'? Why not immediately?

Perhaps it's keeping something in reserve - to give them a chance to make more noise as a distraction from the Appeal should they feel they need it....?
As always, assuming ulterior motives to any action.

Cristobell wrote:

  That's the one Popcorn, and I don't think it was an error.  Serious cracks between McCanns and Missing People methinks.

Well now, I've been wondering since we know the McCanns don't do any news stories unless there's an ulterior motive behind it, what could possibly be coming out soon that is so detrimental to them they need to pull the Twitter account.

I think missing people are getting rid of Kate.

Andrew wrote:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/madeleinemccann/11913054/Madeleine-McCanns-parents-shut-down-Twitter-account-after-being-trolled-by-find-Ben-Needham-supporters.html

They are a disgrace trying to blame Bens followers! Poor Kerry.

speechless,

I keep reading that the account has been deleted but it hasn't. It's still there.

News tomorrow....

Mccanns won't let the trolls win and will keep @find madeleine going...... etc.

.... Or some other rubbish.

...

Just wondering if this 'furore' is to distract from GA's appeal but this time they don't have anyone (not even CM?) to help?

TheTruthWillOut wrote:Just wondering if this 'furore' is to distract from GA's appeal but this time they don't have anyone (not even CM?) to help?

Of course.

It was all strategic and pre-planned.

The whole Ben Needham stuff was planned weeks ago.

Imo.

TheTruthWillOut wrote:Just wondering if this 'furore' is to distract from GA's appeal but this time they don't have anyone (not even CM?) to help?

I've been wondering exactly the same TTWO. It all seems so desperate and pathetic from them, and is only doing the exact opposite.

Amazing support for GA.

That is truly shocking. It is quite strange though that the press decided to pick up on it. I think perhaps their time is coming to an end and they know it imo

bluebell wrote:

TheTruthWillOut wrote:Just wondering if this 'furore' is to distract from GA's appeal but this time they don't have anyone (not even CM?) to help?

I've been wondering exactly the same TTWO.    It all seems so desperate and pathetic from them, and is only doing the exact opposite.

Amazing support for GA.          

It seems amateurish to me which is why I ask. Has CM commented/been quoted anywhere on this latest 'issue'?

Been on the road all day and trying to catch up!

TheTruthWillOut wrote:

bluebell wrote:

TheTruthWillOut wrote:Just wondering if this 'furore' is to distract from GA's appeal but this time they don't have anyone (not even CM?) to help?

I've been wondering exactly the same TTWO.    It all seems so desperate and pathetic from them, and is only doing the exact opposite.

Amazing support for GA.          

It seems amateurish to me which is why I ask. Has CM commented/been quoted anywhere on this latest 'issue'?

Been on the road all day and trying to catch up!

It looks as though Clarence has come to rescue TTWO, I'm guessing Kate or Gerry, threw a wobbly and caused a media storm that got out of hand.  Kate is tortured with jealousy, it is one of her major driving forces - look at the way she hangs onto Gerry.  Because jealousy lies at the heart of Kate's character (I believe she was jealous of Madeleine), she projects her jealousy onto people who don't like her, she believes people don't like her because they are jealous of her nice husband/nice home, nice family etc. There is nothing about her to dislike (in her mind), ergo, they must be jealous of her.

I would imagine her jealousy torments her constantly, the strange dark feelings she describes so vividly in her book reveal so much about the dark workings of her mind. Her hysterical reaction to Madeleine's disappearance is bizarre on every level. She completely skipped past denial and isolation and went straight for anger, lashing out at beds and walls, to such an extent that hands and arms were covered in bruises. She didn't bother with bargaining either, she didn't offer her own life, or any major sacrifice. The Depression is debateable, during what should have been the depression stage, she and her husband looked like a honeymoon couple! As for acceptance. Nah, she is a finisher, she will never give up.

Because jealousy lies at the heart of Kate's character, she covets what Kerry has achieved. Kerry has a popularity with the public that Kate can only dream of. The public like Kerry for who she is, not because they are forced too, backed up with Court Orders.  The nation have taken Kerry to their hearts. She has never given up her search for son, and for over 20+ years, she struggled along on her own. She didn't have or need a spokesman or a webmaster (ffs), she didn't have any airs and graces, she spoke to anyone who listen, not by appointment only.

Even if she and Gerry wander off together to their dream mansion, Kate still won't have the love and respect that Kerry Needham has EARNED. It is something all the donations in the world can't buy. I think Kate's jealousy kicked in, because, to be fair, it doesn't look as though things are going too well at moment.

Whether it was Kate or Gerry (I, and I alone) who made the decision to block Kerry, it kicked off a media storm that got out of control.  Enter Clarence.  Unblock Kerry, and use this 'disaster' to get the public sympathy back onside but declaring McCanns have been FORCED off twitter.  See, Kate and Gerry are the victims, not Kerry!

Actually, it could all look a tad embarrassing if there are no statements from their VIP supporters to back them up, especially the ones who think the internet should be policed.  These tragic parents are being forced off Twitter (even though they are not on it)! there should be a public outcry and maybe a couple of front pages?  Maybe some interviews?  I feel this statement should be accompanied by a sympathetic tet a tet with Lorraine on the breakfast sofa.  How much more can this couple take?  

Shouldn't people be complaining about a 'charity' being forced off twitter?



Oh, and if any of the above looks as though it has been written by a pro, I am throwing them a bone, lol, feel kinda sorry for them at the mo.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ben-needhams-mum-hits-back-6580099#ICID=sharebar_facebook

Ben Needham's mum has said she is "shocked and hurt" after Madeleine McCann's parents have closed down a Twitter account after “toxic” abuse by supporters of missing Ben's family.

Kate and Gerry said it was “a great pity” they had to take the action but felt negative postings were hampering the worldwide hunt for their daughter.

READ MORE: Madeleine McCann's parents remove official Twitter account because of 'continuous abuse' from trolls
Kerry Needham said: “It feels like a personal attack on me. It is deeply, deeply hurtful.

“I have myself had massive amounts of slanderous abuse from supporters of the McCann Campaign in the past but I have never taken that personally.

“It’s freedom of speech. But it is getting the names of two missing children out there which is really important.

CollectMissing boy Ben Needham, disappeared in Kos, Greece in 1991Missing: Ben Needham, disappeared in Kos, Greece in 1991
“I have never criticised the McCann family. I have only every criticised the authorities for the way the two cases have been handled so differently.”

Trouble erupted with the Twitter accounts when the official ‘@findmadeleine’ Twitter feed blocked the ‘@FindBenNeedham’ account at the weekend.

GettyKate McCannClosed down: Kate McCann and her husband Gerry McCann have made the decision to shut the Twitter feed
The Greek account @findbengreek was also blocked.

A few hours later both accounts were unblocked after an outcry but now the Madeleine feed has been closed down.

Kerry added: “People were furious at the weekend when they blocked our campaign, so of course they were bound to get more negative comments.


“Ben’s campaign has never been anti McCann - we can’t help the fact that some members of the public give their opinion about the McCann case just the same as people give their opinion about Ben’s case.”

The web chief who runs the official Find Madeleine Campaign and Twitter, endorsed by the McCanns, said of their decision: “They agree it’s time to remove ourselves from a place that allows so much toxic content to be directed at us and does not permit us the ability to protect ourselves from people who want to damage the search for Madeleine.”

Andy StenningBen NeedhamMissing: Ben Needham
Kerry Needham recently questioned the vast amount of British taxpayers’ money spent by police looking for Maddie.

So far £10.1 million has been used by Operation Grange with a further £2 million pledged while less than £800,000 has been spent on the campaign to find Ben.


Kerry’s 21-month-old son Ben vanished in July 1991 from the Greek island of Kos.

Three-year-old Maddie disappeared during a family holiday in Portugal’s Praia da Luz in May 2007.

Both families believe their children could still be alive.

PAMaddie McCannMissing: Madeleine McCann on the family's holiday at Praia Da Luz
McCann family spokesperson Clarence Mitchell said: “Kate and Gerry have always supported the campaign to find Ben Needham.

Indeed, they have promoted it on the Find Madeleine Campaign social media platform.

“However, it is a great pity that due to continued, ill informed and abusive comments by some social media users, the decision was made to close the Find Madeleine Twitter account.

PAMadeleine McCannMadeleine McCann: The desperate search for her goes on
“Kate and Gerry continue to wish Kerry Needham the best and hope that one day she will be reunited with Ben, just as they continue to hope that they will similarly be reunited with Madeleine.”

A source close to Maddie’s parents said closing down a Twitter account because of abuse should not be seen as an attack on Ben’s family’s side.

PAMissing Madeleine McCannMissing Madeleine McCann
Former GP Kate and heart doctor Gerry, both 47, of Rothley, Leics, made the decision to shut down Twitter despite not being social media users themselves.

The Facebook campaign will continue to run.

The un-named Campaign “webmaster”, a mum who has been running the site with a group of fellow supporters since 2008, posted on Facebook: “I convinced Kate and Gerry it was a great way to raise awareness and I have witnessed overwhelming kindness.

“I have been dismayed, however, at some of the hatred and sheer viciousness directed at Kate and Gerry through our social media accounts for no logical reason at all. At times, it has had me in tears.


“It is hard to accept that some people can be so cruel to a family that has already experienced the worst pain imaginable. Some argue the search costs too much, others say it’s hopeless.

“Further, in the past three weeks on Twitter, we have found ourselves in the uncomfortable position of being expected to “follow” people who align themselves with accounts that abuse us in the most vile ways on a regular basis.

“Deleting our Twitter account is the only option left to protect ourselves and the search for Madeleine.

"She is what is important, and our job is to get her home. We believe Madeleine is alive and we have great faith in The Met.”

PAMadeleine McCann in an Everton Football shirt.Missing: Madeleine McCann in an Everton Football shirt
But Ben’s mum Kerry, 43, from Sheffield, who has met Kate at official missing people events, said: “Blaming their decision to close their account on our followers could damage our campaign.

“People are allowed to give their opinion. In the UK we are are a team of three people, checking Facebook, Twitter and Ben’s website.

“How can we vet every single comment on there - it’s impossible.

“We can’t stop people’s opinion and I will not be drawn into a slagging match with the two campaigns.

Andy StenningKerry NeedhamHeartbreak: Kerry Needham and her mum Christine
“All I can say is that Ben’s campaign has never been anti McCann.”

Ben’s gran, Christine, 63, agreed, adding: “At the end of the day two children who are missing are the important ones.

“It’s all about keeping Ben’s name out there and alive.

“I think the use of the word toxic is upsetting. Our supporters are not toxic - they just care.

“We all have to take whatever is thrown at us.

“We can’t as a family be responsible for other people’s views.”

The Sun Tuesday October 6 2015.

MADDIE TWITTER AXED AFTER ROW.
By CHRIS POLLARD and ANTONELLA LAZZERI.

The official Twitter account backing the search for Madeleine McCann is to close after an online spat with the campaign to
find missing Brit Ben Needham. The @FindMadeleine account blocked @FindBenNeedham on Sunday. Administrators said
"We do not want to be associated with some of the people they follow". Some individuals followed by Ben's account have criticised Madeleine's mum Kate. One tweeted "How the hell is Kate McCann an ambassador (of charity Missing People?)She left her kids alone to go on the p*** ".Find Madeleine lifted its block within hours but the person in charge said the
Maddie account would shut due to "continuous abuse and negativity". They added "There has been a concerted effort to
get people to stop looking for Madeleine, It's cruel". Madeleine was three when she disappeared in Portugal in May 2007.
Ben vanished in 1991 from Greek island Kos at 21 months. The McCanns spokesman said "Kate and her husband continue to wish Ben's mother Kerry the best and hope she'll one day be reunited with him ". Kerry said "I've never spoken badly about the family".

Just to add the Mails version, who always seem to be a day late with anything M related.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3261469/McCanns-shut-official-Madeleine-Twitter-account-trolled-supporters-Ben-Needham-s-family.html

"We do not want to be associated with some of the people they follow". Some individuals followed by Ben's account have criticised Madeleine's mum Kate. One tweeted "How the hell is Kate McCann an ambassador (of charity Missing People?)She left her kids alone to go on the p*** ".Find Madeleine lifted its block within hours but the person in charge said the
Maddie account would shut due to "continuous abuse and negativity". They added "There has been a concerted effort to
get people to stop looking for Madeleine, It's cruel". Madeleine was three when she disappeared in Portugal in May 2007.


Not read right through yet but how can that tweet stop people looking for Madeleine?!?
It's the truth they don't like IMO!

dogs don't lie wrote:"We do not want to be associated with some of the people they follow". Some individuals followed by Ben's account have criticised Madeleine's mum Kate. One tweeted "How the hell is Kate McCann an ambassador (of charity Missing People?)She left her kids alone to go on the p*** ".Find Madeleine lifted its block within hours but the person in charge said the
Maddie account would shut due to "continuous abuse and negativity". They added "There has been a concerted effort to
get people to stop looking for Madeleine, It's cruel". Madeleine was three when she disappeared in Portugal in May 2007.


Not read right through yet but how can that tweet stop people looking for Madeleine?!?
It's the truth they don't like IMO!

Do people still actually look for Madeleine? Have they any idea who to look for?

Well, those who believe Madeleine was abducted then.