http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/650130/Official-Madeleine-McCann-website-barraged-hate-trolls-facebook

Official Madeleine McCann website 'barraged with hate' by online trolls

THE official website set up to help find Madeleine McCann has been "barraged with hate".

By Jerry Lawton / Published 5th October 2017

The digital coordinator of the site – a close friend of the missing youngster's parents Kate and Gerry – has reported the abuse to US investigators probing "hate speech on Facebook".
The move comes after Brit police were granted an extra £154,000 by the Home Office to continue their search for Madeleine who vanished from her family's holiday apartment in Portugal in 2007 aged three.

The Metropolitan Police's Operation Grange inquiry has cost taxpayers £12million since it was launched six years ago.

The decision to continue the search for at least another six months sparked widespread cricitism on social media.

The Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page now includes a link to an investigation by US news website ProPublica into trolling.

The McCanns' coordinator wrote: "We've been barraged with hate via Facebook and are sure others have too.

"Help ProPublica investigate hate speech on Facebook.''

Opinions on "leaving children alone" have already been banned from the site.

Madeleine vanished from the apartment while her parents dined with pals in a nearby tapas bar.

Visitors to the webpage were warned: "This is not a place for you to post your negative opinions about the McCann family.

"We are not a debate page nor a place to analyse the investigation.

"This is a support and information page for Madeleine’s family and the Official Find Madeleine Campaign (findmadeleine.com).'

The page urged visitors 'let’s keep the page positive', adding: "PLEASE do not feed trolls. Trolls feed on havoc and causing chaos.

"If we do not feed them, they will starve for attention and hopefully spread their hate someplace else.

"Do not ask questions about the investigation.''