‘Maddie police were ignored’ Detectives have waited five months for Scotland Yard leads - Sunday Express 8.5.16

‘Maddie police were ignored’ Detectives have waited five months for Scotland Yard leads

PORTUGUESE detectives tasked with helping Scotland Yard solve the Madeleine McCann mystery have spent the past five months waiting for leads to pursue from their British counterparts.

By James Murray, EXCLUSIVE

 PUBLISHED:  00:01, Sun, May 8, 2016

A small team of highly experienced officers at Faro on the Algarve want to resume investigations on the case but have been left frustrated by having nothing to do.

Three senior detectives in Faro are poised to act on any Yard requests but have been left virtually twiddling their thumbs for at least five months, so have started doing other work.

When the Metropolitan Police launched Operation Grange in 2011, senior officers spent months rebuilding strained relations with their counterparts in Portugal.

The Yard has to send a so-called rogatory letter requesting Portuguese officers to make inquiries on their behalf.


These requests go to a Portuguese prosecuting official who decides whether they are valid or not.

In the past British detectives have been present in interview rooms in Faro when suspects and witnesses have been interviewed.

A well-placed source in Faro said: “The last rogatory letter came through at the end of last year and officers gave it their full and prompt attention. Since then it has been very quiet. The detectives in Faro are enthusiastic to pursue any useful leads but there has been nothing for them to do for months and months.

“Years ago there were problems with the British and Portuguese police but Scotland Yard has smoothed over those issues and there is a good working relationship. The officers in Faro will give priority to requests from Operation Grange.


They realise the Yard’s investigation is slowing down but they want to make it absolutely clear they will help in any way they can as long as the prosecutor approves any further requests.”

Scotland Yard has declined to comment.

Madeleine McCann would be 13 on Thursday.

She disappeared from a holiday apartment in the Algarve resort town of Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007, nine years ago last week.

Her parents, doctors Kate and Gerry McCann, said prayers for her at their home town of Rothley, Leicestershire, to mark the date.

Surrounded by supportive villagers, Gerry, 47, said: “Even after nine years, and we desperately don’t want another one, we have this incredible support and it means so much to us. It makes us stronger and helps us get through it.”


Kate, 48, read a poem by Emily Dickinson, saying: “Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches on the soul. And sings the tune without words. And never stops – at all.”

Candles were lit for Madeleine by children in the village.

The couple have also posted a message on their Find Madeleine website saying: “As yet another anniversary comes around, we’d like to thank all our supporters for your continued help and commitment in the search for Madeleine, and the hope for her safe return.

“It has been a very long time but the investigation continues, information is still forthcoming and our hope and resolve continue. Until we have answers, until there is news, there will always be hope and we will continue to do everything we can to help find Madeleine.

“The charity Missing People is releasing the single I Hope on May 20 ahead of International Missing Children’s Day. Please support the charity to help all missing children and their families by downloading the song.”

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/668155/Madeleine-McCann-police-ignored-Detectives-waited-five-months-Scotland-Yard-leads

snipped

A small team of highly experienced officers at Faro on the Algarve want to resume investigations on the case but have been left frustrated by having nothing to do.

Three senior detectives in Faro are poised to act on any Yard requests but have been left virtually twiddling their thumbs for at least five months, so have started doing other work.


WTF

candyfloss wrote:snipped

A small team of highly experienced officers at Faro on the Algarve want to resume investigations on the case but have been left frustrated by having nothing to do.

Three senior detectives in Faro are poised to act on any Yard requests but have been left virtually twiddling their thumbs for at least five months, so have started doing other work.


WTF

SY aren't in any hurry to find alive and findable Madeleine thats for sure.

SY are stumped by the willingness of the PJ to cooperate,back in your court SY.

IMO [reading between the lines, which Murray is cleverly pushing] this is telling us that SY are looking closer to home ...

Seeking justice ‏@justice4maddie · 11m11 minutes ago

Portuguese cops gone from"Bungling sardine munchers"to "Highly experienced officers"#mccann





Isabelle McFabulous ‏@QueenOPortugal · 5h5 hours ago

@JillyCL OMG that is so inline with latest discovery ... Done over...just waiting for last go ahead #mccann






JillyCL ‏@JillyCL · 8h8 hours ago

This is because there are no leads to follow in Portugal. The 'one remaining lead' is in England

Heisenburg wrote:

candyfloss wrote:snipped

A small team of highly experienced officers at Faro on the Algarve want to resume investigations on the case but have been left frustrated by having nothing to do.

Three senior detectives in Faro are poised to act on any Yard requests but have been left virtually twiddling their thumbs for at least five months, so have started doing other work.


WTF

SY aren't in any hurry to find alive and findable Madeleine thats for sure.

SY are stumped by the willingness of the PJ to cooperate,back in your court SY.

Agree. This is Portuguese demonstrating that they are willing and able to help the British investigation,  but that that investigation doesn't amount to much as regards to what needs doing in Portugal. Portugal is pre-empting any potential slur on their willingness to cooperate.

But that doesn't mean they're doing nothing else. It simply refers to the 3 officers assigned to aiding OG, it mentions nothing about their own investigation so we are none the wiser there.

This also infers only that OG is not following leads in Portugal,  not reflecting what may be happening in the UK.

But it certainly dismisses the Burglars nonsense sported by other 'news'papers, and does put the ball firmly back in the British court.

Another brilliant piece by James Murray. The Sunday Express, at least, are 'on one', aren't they?

If its true, and we have no idea who the "well placed source" for the story is, its very interesting when read in conjunction with the Yards claim of just one line of enquiry and the temptation is to conclude that the line of enquiry must be in the UK. However given this...

James Murray wrote:The Yard has to send a so-called rogatory letter requesting Portuguese officers to make inquiries on their behalf.

These requests go to a Portuguese prosecuting official who decides whether they are valid or not.

[snip]

They realise the Yard’s investigation is slowing down but they want to make it absolutely clear they will help in any way they can as long as the prosecutor approves any further requests.”

... I wonder if we're seeing the public face of an argument between SY & the Portuguese prosecutor over the validity of SY's last line of enquiry

Heisenburg wrote:

candyfloss wrote:snipped

A small team of highly experienced officers at Faro on the Algarve want to resume investigations on the case but have been left frustrated by having nothing to do.

Three senior detectives in Faro are poised to act on any Yard requests but have been left virtually twiddling their thumbs for at least five months, so have started doing other work.


WTF

SY aren't in any hurry to find alive and findable Madeleine thats for sure.

SY are stumped by the willingness of the PJ to cooperate,back in your court SY.

I don't think they ever have been. I feel that right from the beginning they have known that she is not alive.

Sometimes we all think they have known all along and this is the premis that causes such turmoil in our camp IMO. If SY know the truth how can it be anything other than a white wash. I think it is much more base than that and is plagued with the things we all deal with in life. What if behind the scenes we have factions,groups who believe the parents ,and groups who don't(just like in life)and part of the struggle is to uncover what's happened to unravel that and build a case without damaging the well intentioned and nailing the criminal!Think of Hillsborough on a different scale...once a decision had been taken to assist/support the parents by CEOP,Leicester Police,Prime Ministers Celebs etc the job of extracting the parents from those surrounding them becomes quite complex surgery.....and some may have assisted in covering up the lie.

I wonder if the '5 month delay' has anything to do with awaiting the appeal decision. The timing would be about right if you include the further two months delay due to ID challenging one of the judges that were involved in the appeal case.

But that implies that OG are hand in hand with the McCanns. Ask yourself this if they are in Teamac surely the cut off must be approaching. They can try to manipulate public opinion but the time is almost upon them where that is unsustainable. They are already a laughing stock but just as the back fitting three burglar tale may be just about possible with the British Public(I say maybe,I suspect that time has gone!)the PJ will react if they try this and react with copious amounts of information as will Goncalos next book when it apparently will discuss the third timeline. At best the Cream of British Police look like clowns and the McCanns find living life with accusations that are widely believed,to enter a prison of their own design.

The people employed on OG are no doubt honest conscientious detectives following instructions. It's the people higher up, the ones pulling the strings who will shape and direct the outcome of the investigation.
It would be a very brave lower rank officer who would speak out and say " but that's not what we found" when faced with their superior's conclusions.

I've absolutely no doubt that the Home Office and No. 10 will get exactly the result they want, whatever it is.

froggy wrote:The people employed on OG are no doubt honest conscientious  detectives following instructions. It's the people higher up, the ones pulling the strings who will shape and direct the outcome of the investigation.
It would be a very brave lower rank officer who would speak out and  say " but that's not what we found" when faced with their superior's conclusions.

I've absolutely no doubt that the Home Office and No. 10 will get exactly the result they want, whatever it is.

I disagree with that, imo any police officer would want justice and truth for a little 3 year old.. if they found the truth or had any inkling it was being whitewashed then imo no way.  Also, it would probably all come out years later anyway, it always does, why on earth try and cover up.

candyfloss wrote:

froggy wrote:The people employed on OG are no doubt honest conscientious  detectives following instructions. It's the people higher up, the ones pulling the strings who will shape and direct the outcome of the investigation.
It would be a very brave lower rank officer who would speak out and  say " but that's not what we found" when faced with their superior's conclusions.

I've absolutely no doubt that the Home Office and No. 10 will get exactly the result they want, whatever it is.

I disagree with that, imo any police officer would want justice and truth for a little 3 year old.. if they found the truth or had any inkling it was being whitewashed then imo no way.  Also, it would probably all come out years later anyway, it always does, why on earth try and cover up.  

Hillsborough ?  Various child abuse cases?

Lower ranks 'warned off' from saying anything.

These things are covered up because they can be and 30 years it is usually somebody else's problem.

In this case people may have to wait until the McCanns are dead.

froggy wrote:

candyfloss wrote:

froggy wrote:The people employed on OG are no doubt honest conscientious  detectives following instructions. It's the people higher up, the ones pulling the strings who will shape and direct the outcome of the investigation.
It would be a very brave lower rank officer who would speak out and  say " but that's not what we found" when faced with their superior's conclusions.

I've absolutely no doubt that the Home Office and No. 10 will get exactly the result they want, whatever it is.

I disagree with that, imo any police officer would want justice and truth for a little 3 year old.. if they found the truth or had any inkling it was being whitewashed then imo no way.  Also, it would probably all come out years later anyway, it always does, why on earth try and cover up.  

Hillsborough ?  Various child abuse cases?

Lower ranks 'warned off' from saying anything.

These things are covered up because they can be and 30 years it is usually somebody else's problem.

In this case people may have to wait until the McCanns are dead.

All a long time ago, lessons have no doubt been learned, public are to astute and want the truth and are wary... The internet age is here and things cannot be swept under the carpet, covered up as previously.

The only lessons the 'establishment' learn are how to avoid getting caught next time.

As powerful as the internet is in disseminating information, that is as far as it goes.
Supposing OG is a whitewash, what is the British public going to do? Take to the streets and riot?
It will just pass over for the majority with only a few dedicated forums, inhabited by obsessives, keeping the topic alive.

There's always the PJ and Goncalo, humans too who want the truth for a little girl who done nothing wrong,
Oh, and the files. If those files were never released no one would know any better, but they were.

dogs don't lie wrote:There's always the PJ and Goncalo, humans too who want the truth for a little girl who done nothing wrong,
Oh, and the files. If those files were never released no one would know any better, but they were.

Yes, Portugal is the only place where justice has been seen to be done.

The only justice I can see in the UK is that those responsible will   live out the rest of their miserable  lives in full knowledge that the situation they find themselves in is entirely down to their own selfish actions.

dogs don't lie wrote:There's always the PJ and Goncalo, humans too who want the truth for a little girl who done nothing wrong,
Oh, and the files. If those files were never released no one would know any better, but they were.

Those are my thoughts too ddl, I believe GA holds one or two 'ace' cards here, and the PJ are with him all the way. I can't see OG working towards a 'whitewash' never have, but I do think they seem to be
struggling to find a way to close/shelve the case. Just my thoughts as ever.

costello wrote:

dogs don't lie wrote:There's always the PJ and Goncalo, humans too who want the truth for a little girl who done nothing wrong,
Oh, and the files. If those files were never released no one would know any better, but they were.

Those are my thoughts too ddl, I believe GA holds one or two 'ace' cards here, and the PJ are with him all the way. I can't see OG working towards a 'whitewash' never have, but I do think they seem to be
struggling to find a way to close/shelve the case. Just my thoughts as ever.

Something tells me if OG can't solve it after all these years and all that money, Goncalo will play that card and my jaw will probably remain on the floor for months! He knows a lot more than we do. Even a lot of the files that were held back contain "dodgy people" that were looked into but became fruitless, so we know the PJ didn't just look at the mcs. If OG try and close it with the burglar story, I think the bungled police role will be reversed. IMO.

candyfloss wrote:

All a long time ago, lessons have no doubt been learned, public are to astute and want the truth and are wary...  The internet age is here and things cannot be swept under the carpet, covered up as previously.

Chillcot enquiry,why can't it be released,who is it embarrassing? might well be the same in OG,there was political interference imo,the government of the day does not do the dirty on previous administrations lest some thing comes back to bite the government of the day,
If poor Madeleine's investigation is sacrificed to save some ones ass,then so be it,think of Dr David Kelly.

I'm not even sure that any whitewash will be aimed at exonerating the McCanns, who's reputation, (such as it is), can remain covered in shit just as long as the 'establishment' can hide whatever it is intent on hiding.

froggy wrote:I'm not even sure that any whitewash will be aimed at exonerating the McCanns, who's reputation, (such as it is), can remain covered in shit  just as long as the 'establishment' can hide whatever it is intent on hiding.

Now you are talking. I will not believe that OG was ever set up to cover the backsides of 2 non personalities such as the McCanns. If governments are prepared to throw eminent and distinguished people such as David Kelly under the bus, then I very much doubt the McCanns are indispensable.

chirpyinsect wrote:

froggy wrote:I'm not even sure that any whitewash will be aimed at exonerating the McCanns, who's reputation, (such as it is), can remain covered in shit  just as long as the 'establishment' can hide whatever it is intent on hiding.

Now you are talking. I will not believe that OG was ever set up to cover the backsides of 2 non personalities such as the McCanns. If governments are prepared to throw eminent and distinguished people such as David Kelly under the bus, then I very much doubt the McCanns are indispensable.

Its not about the McCann's,its Madeleine, if there is such a thing as a whitewash its the poor child who is the sacrificial lamb.If there is some one or something then whoever from the establishment doesn't give one iota for the victim which is the most sickening thing of all.
The latest news item can be read in two way's I suppose,one is OG have made a request but for whatever reason have no need to follow it up,or two,the PJ aren't acquiescing to any request,pays your money and take your choice.

Heisenburg wrote:

chirpyinsect wrote:

froggy wrote:I'm not even sure that any whitewash will be aimed at exonerating the McCanns, who's reputation, (such as it is), can remain covered in shit  just as long as the 'establishment' can hide whatever it is intent on hiding.

Now you are talking. I will not believe that OG was ever set up to cover the backsides of 2 non personalities such as the McCanns. If governments are prepared to throw eminent and distinguished people such as David Kelly under the bus, then I very much doubt the McCanns are indispensable.

Its not about the McCann's,its Madeleine, if there is such a thing as a whitewash its the poor child who is the sacrificial lamb.If there is some one or something then whoever from the establishment doesn't give one iota for the victim which is the most sickening thing of all.

All for the greater good, I'm afraid. Not in the public interest for the truth to come out.