Daily Express 22nd June 2013

**Panda** Sat 22 Jun - 7:37

Top prosecutor looks at new leads in Madeleine McCann hunt

A FRESH Madeleine McCann inquiry was a step closer yesterday as one of Britain’s top prosecutors flew to Portugal for a summit over new leads in the case.

By: John Twomey
Published: Sat, June 22, 2013

0Comments

Daily Express 22nd June 2013 Maddie-409431

Daily Express 22nd June 2013 Maddie-409431

A fresh inquiry into Madeleine McCann may shed new light on her disappearance

Alison Saunders, chief crown prosecutor for London, discussed crucial developments in the case uncovered by Scotland Yard.

It is the first time such a senior figure from the Crown Prosecution Service has travelled to Portugal in connection with Madeleine’s disappearance and her presence, along with her deputy, fuelled speculation that a new inquiry is about to be launched.

A fresh probe, probably jointly funded by Britain and Portugal, will look into at least 20 new suspects identified by Scotland Yard’s Operation Grange.

Home Secretary Theresa May is shortly expected to announce a new investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance six years ago at the age of three.

A CPS spokeswoman said: “Prosecutors from CPS London and investigators from the Metropolitan Police Service visited their Portuguese counterparts on April 17-18 to discuss possible next steps in relation to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. We continue to work with the police on this case.”

The McCanns’ spokesman Clarence Mitchell said they would not comment publicly while Operation Grange continues.

He said: “They remain grateful, however, to the UK authorities for the work being done to establish what happened to Madeleine and to bring those responsible for her abduction to justice.”

Mrs Saunders, a possible successor to retiring Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer, QC, was joined by her deputy Jenny Hopkins on the trip to Portugal.

It came after the Yard team identified fresh suspects. The Portuguese authorities say they require new information to justify re-opening the inquiry.

Operation Grange, conducted by Scotland Yard’s Homicide and Serious Crime Command, was launched in May 2011.

Last month Detective Chief Superintendent Hamish Campbell said the review had identified “both investigative and forensic opportunities” and “more than a handful of people of interest”.

As they marked the sixth anniversary of Madeleine’s disappearance last month, Mr and Mrs McCann said they were encouraged by Operation Grange and added that police seemed “more determined than ever”.

The couple’s hopes were further reinforced by the recent discovery of three women held captive in Ohio since being kidnapped as children. Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight went missing 10 years ago in separate incidents.

Daily Express 22nd June 2013 46350

Kate and Gerry McCann talk to the media in an apartment in Praia Da Luz, Portugal

They remain grateful, however, to the UK authorities for the work being done to establish what happened to Madeleine and to bring those responsible for her abduction to justice
Clarence Mitchell

When the women were found, the McCanns said the rescue “reaffirmed” their hope of finding their daughter, which has never diminished. It has been reported that Home Secretary Theresa May is set to announce a full-scale Scotland Yard investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance.

A full investigation would allow police to interview suspects in Britain, though they would seek the assistance of the Portuguese to carry out their inquiries there. A Home Office spokesman said: “The Home Office remains committed to supporting the search for Madeleine McCann and we have always said we would provide the Metropolitan Police with the resources they need to investigate her disappearance.”

Madeleine vanished from her family’s holiday apartment as her mother Kate, 45, and father Gerry, 44, dined with friends nearby in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz in May, 2007.

Operation Grange was launched after the couple, both doctors from Rothley, Leicestershire, appealed to David Cameron.

In all, the Grange squad has identified around 200 potential leads. Yard officers have travelled to Portugal and Spain several times.

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**Panda** Sat 22 Jun - 8:15

Didn't I say when SY were trying to get the PJ to agree to a Trial and James Murray and Brunt were in PD that I thought it might be a breakthrough ?? Award yourself a Medal Panda.LOL

Is this all a smokescreen ? there are no suspects , it is the Tapas Group they want .

**AnnaEsse** Sat 22 Jun - 8:19

Panda wrote:Didn't I say when SY were trying to get the PJ to agree to a Trial and James Murray and Brunt were in PD that I thought it might be a breakthrough ?? Award yourself a Medal Panda.LOL

Is this all a smokescreen ? there are no suspects , it is the Tapas Group they want .

Panda, I think it might be a smokescreen to lull certain people into a false sense of security. All of the papers say that Scotland Yard can interview suspects in the UK and as far as I know, the only suspects in the UK are the Tapas crew.

**Panda** Sat 22 Jun - 8:35

AnnaEsse wrote:
Panda wrote:Didn't I say when SY were trying to get the PJ to agree to a Trial and James Murray and Brunt were in PD that I thought it might be a breakthrough ?? Award yourself a Medal Panda.LOL

Is this all a smokescreen ? there are no suspects , it is the Tapas Group they want .

Panda, I think it might be a smokescreen to lull certain people into a false sense of security. All of the papers say that Scotland Yard can interview suspects in the UK and as far as I know, the only suspects in the UK are the Tapas crew.

Yes AnnaEsse, after over 2 years you don't reduce 195 suspects to 20 "outstanding". The first thing the SY team would do is check out all the info in the PJ Files regarding witness statements, then check out the PJ files and the files they took from the Spanish Agency. There were apparently 5 clerical staff and 29 Detectives. That work should have only taken 6 months at most.....so what were they doing for the other 18 months.?

jassi Sat 22 Jun - 8:47

It seems to me that 159 potential leads is just complete rubbish.
There cannot possibly be anything like that number, unless SY have selection criteria so wide that they include anything and everything that occurred over that week.

**Panda** Sat 22 Jun - 8:55

jassi wrote:It seems to me that 159 potential leads is just complete rubbish.
There cannot possibly be anything like that number, unless SY have selection criteria so wide that they include anything and everything that occurred over that week.

Morning jassi, I think the 20 will be the Tapas 9, Murat, the Russian Guy, his ex who I think is now married to Murat.The couple who were staying above Mrs Fenn ....that's all I can think of , but SY have gone from 195 to 20 in one fell swoop so I don't believe a word they say. LOl

**AnnaEsse** Sat 22 Jun - 8:56

Panda wrote:
jassi wrote:It seems to me that 159 potential leads is just complete rubbish.
There cannot possibly be anything like that number, unless SY have selection criteria so wide that they include anything and everything that occurred over that week.

Morning jassi, I think the 20 will be the Tapas 9, Murat, the Russian Guy, his ex who I think is now married to Murat.The couple who were staying above Mrs Fenn ....that's all I can think of , but SY have gone from 195 to 20 in one fell swoop so I don't believe a word they say. LOl

The Smiths?

**Panda** Sat 22 Jun - 9:13

AnnaEsse wrote:
Panda wrote:
jassi wrote:It seems to me that 159 potential leads is just complete rubbish.
There cannot possibly be anything like that number, unless SY have selection criteria so wide that they include anything and everything that occurred over that week.

Morning jassi, I think the 20 will be the Tapas 9, Murat, the Russian Guy, his ex who I think is now married to Murat.The couple who were staying above Mrs Fenn ....that's all I can think of , but SY have gone from 195 to 20 in one fell swoop so I don't believe a word they say. LOl

The Smiths?.......UHM, refresh my memory, just noticed , wev'e got the emoticons back, Hooray:Applaud:

Guest Sat 22 Jun - 9:38

Panda, who were the couple staying above Mrs Fenn?

Michaela Murat was previously married to Luis Antonio, not Robert Murat's friend Sergei (or Sergey) Malinka.

susible Sat 22 Jun - 9:41

I think that many of the McCann's friends and family who went to PdL could also be considered suspects, the Hubbards for example, Michael Wright, Jon Corner etc. when you start to add those people onto the McCanns themselves and the tapas crew you could easily get to 20.

tigger Sat 22 Jun - 9:51

Surely the reason for the CPS to visit the PJ must have been to see some evidence/files that were known to SY but not in their possession? Also to confer with their counterparts in Portugal as to what situation would arise if certain people were prosecuted in the UK.

It would be necessary to meet and work closely with the PJ.

**Panda** Sat 22 Jun - 9:53

Not Born Yesterday wrote:Panda, who were the couple staying above Mrs Fenn?

Michaela Murat was previously married to Luis Antonio, not Robert Murat's friend Sergei (or Sergey) Malinka.

I think it was the ones who went into the McCanns apartment ....not sure but someone will know. Didn't a report by SY indicate there was someone in the U.K. that wished to interview, but she was now married.

**Panda** Sat 22 Jun - 9:56

susible wrote:I think that many of the McCann's friends and family who went to PdL could also be considered suspects, the Hubbards for example, Michael Wright, Jon Corner etc. when you start to add those people onto the McCanns themselves and the tapas crew you could easily get to 20.

Morning susible ....they could be , but some could also be Staff at the Ocean Club who don't work there any more.

**Panda** Sat 22 Jun - 10:00

tigger wrote:Surely the reason for the CPS to visit the PJ must have been to see some evidence/files that were known to SY but not in their possession? Also to confer with their counterparts in Portugal as to what situation would arise if certain people were prosecuted in the UK.

It would be necessary to meet and work closely with the PJ.

Morning tigger, SY apparently asked the PJ if a Trial could take place in Portugal if new evidence was found ( I think it already has been ) and the Portugese agreed that it take place in Portugal with both Countries sharing the Cost. If it was the Fund being investigated that would be done in the U.K.

susible Sat 22 Jun - 10:02

Panda wrote:
susible wrote:I think that many of the McCann's friends and family who went to PdL could also be considered suspects, the Hubbards for example, Michael Wright, Jon Corner etc. when you start to add those people onto the McCanns themselves and the tapas crew you could easily get to 20.

Morning susible ....they could be , but some could also be Staff at the Ocean Club who don't work there any more.

Hi Panda, yes I suppose you could be right, there's Charlotte Pennington and Cat Baker, two of the nannies at the creche who could probably do with revising some of their statements.

**Panda** Sat 22 Jun - 10:35

susible wrote:
Panda wrote:
susible wrote:I think that many of the McCann's friends and family who went to PdL could also be considered suspects, the Hubbards for example, Michael Wright, Jon Corner etc. when you start to add those people onto the McCanns themselves and the tapas crew you could easily get to 20.

Morning susible ....they could be , but some could also be Staff at the Ocean Club who don't work there any more.

Hi Panda, yes I suppose you could be right, there's Charlotte Pennington and Cat Baker, two of the nannies at the creche who could probably do with revising some of their statements.

This is where it all falls apart for me.....how could it have taken 2 years and almost £5 million to reach this stage ?

susible Sat 22 Jun - 10:59

Panda wrote:
susible wrote:
Panda wrote:
susible wrote:I think that many of the McCann's friends and family who went to PdL could also be considered suspects, the Hubbards for example, Michael Wright, Jon Corner etc. when you start to add those people onto the McCanns themselves and the tapas crew you could easily get to 20.

Morning susible ....they could be , but some could also be Staff at the Ocean Club who don't work there any more.

Hi Panda, yes I suppose you could be right, there's Charlotte Pennington and Cat Baker, two of the nannies at the creche who could probably do with revising some of their statements.

This is where it all falls apart for me.....how could it have taken 2 years and almost £5 million to reach this stage ?

Not really Panda, because lets face it, the case would have to be absolutely water-tight to ensure that any prosecutions could go ahead and stand a good chance of succeeding, and there has been so much obfuscation and lies from the McCanns and their friends in statements, interviews etc that it would have taken a fair amount of sorting out to get to the real truth.

And I'm sure that SY would not want all of their time and work wasted by missing one small detail that the McCann's defence lawyers could pick up on and get the case thrown out. That has been their Modus Operandi in the past and is, I'm sure the reason the Portuguese did not go ahead with prosecution at the time as they did not have the luxury of the time to spend going over everything with a fine tooth comb, with the result that a successful prosecution would have been unlikely.

I have always said that the only reason that the Mc's were not charged at the time was solely to do with concrete and irrefutable evidence, no cover ups or protection, just a lack of the basic ingredients needed for a successful prosecution,

**Panda** Sat 22 Jun - 11:04

Well susible, if that were the reason, what could there be that SY have found which the PJ overlooked?

susible Sat 22 Jun - 11:16

They didn't necessarily overlook anything Panda, as the final report of the AG in Portugal stated there were a number of options, the difficulty was proving any of them. All of the information was there, but so many people were lying, none of it was adding up and the Portuguese police already had tied up so many resources trying to solve the case, that shelving it until there was new evidence that would conclusively prove any of the options was the most effective thing to do.

Perhaps SY intend to further pursue the options of the death of Madeleine and a simulated abduction, but will obviously have to investigate this further, which is precisely what the press reports are saying, that SY need to interview suspects.

**Panda** Sat 22 Jun - 11:35

susible wrote:They didn't necessarily overlook anything Panda, as the final report of the AG in Portugal stated there were a number of options, the difficulty was proving any of them. All of the information was there, but so many people were lying, none of it was adding up and the Portuguese police already had tied up so many resources trying to solve the case, that shelving it until there was new evidence that would conclusively prove any of the options was the most effective thing to do.

Perhaps SY intend to further pursue the options of the death of Madeleine and a simulated abduction, but will obviously have to investigate this further, which is precisely what the press reports are saying, that SY need to interview suspects.

Well fingers crossed this will be endgame for the McCanns.....I wonder what they are thinking right niw???

the slave Sat 22 Jun - 11:54

I would imagine that the Metodo3 files were quite interesting.

**Panda** Sat 22 Jun - 12:09

the slave wrote:I would imagine that the Metodo3 files were quite interesting.

Yes, Metodo 3 , like Halligen are primarily moneylaunderers!!!!! How come, the McCanns, with help from Brian Kennedy , the one supposed to be paying the Detectives never managed to employ an agency experienced in searching for missing people??? BTW, I have a cutting where ABCes ( a subsidiary of the Guardian) interviewed Metodo 3 who said they never received the money quoted in the British Press.

kathybelle Sat 22 Jun - 12:22

In my opinion, The McCanns were not charged with any offence, was not because the PJ didn't have enough evidence to charge them. They were not charged, due to intervention by the British Government. This was also stated by Goncalo Amaral, on the steps of the Lisbon court, when the McCanns were in the throes of trying to permanently ban Goncalo Amaral's book 'The Truth of the Lie.'

This was a good enough reason to charge the McCanns

http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/TAVARES_ALMEIDA.htm

If there was no Government intervention, why weren't they charged? The McCanns were the last people to see Madeleine alive, apart from Gerry, the ones who checked the children (if they checked them) said they never saw Madeleine, only the twins. Gerry McCann was the only one who said he saw Madeleine, when he made his check at 21:05.

Why did the McCanns request the case was closed, when they were arguidos, if they played no part in Madeleine's disappearance?

http://gerrymccan-abuseofpower-humanrights.blogspot.co.uk/

If I am so wrong, why were the McCanns passports returned to them, as soon as they were made arguidos and why were they given a police escort to take them to the Algarve airport.

The McCanns had hindered the case from the minute the Portuguese police came to investigate Madeleine's disappeared, they lied as soon as they were questioned and the lying didn't stop there. Kate McCann refused to answer 48 questions regarding Madeleine's disappearance. I know she wasn't forced to answer the questions, but the fact that she didn't, knowing full well that she was hindering the case, was a good enough reason to keep the McCanns in Praia da Luz.

The law was on the PJ's side, because arguidos, are supposed to adhere to terms of their arguido status. Robert Murat, requested the arguido status, because each time he was taken in for questioning, he wasn't allowed a lawyer at his side.

All of Robert Murat's property was confiscated and later returned to him, because there was nothing in his property that showed he had a connection with Madeleine's disappearance. His alibi provided by his mother was found to be proven, so in effect, the police had no reason to keep him as an arguido. Robert Murat was told that until the McCanns were either charged or were released from their arguido status, he would have to remain an arguido.

However unlike the McCanns, Robert Murat, had to remain in Portugal and he had to adhere to the terms of the arguido status. Robert Murat had cooperated fully with the PJ throughout and he was treated like a bag of s**t by them and so was his mother.

Robert Murat, was a British citizen, with a young child who resided in Britain, he was not only hung out to dry by the PJ, he was hung out to dry by the British Government. While the McCanns were protected and had been protected, from the minute Gerry telephoned Gordon Brown, when he should have been out looking for Madeleine and would have been out looking for Madeleine, if he and his wife played no part in her disappearance.

This case stinks to high heaven. It wouldn't surprise me, if the McCanns are exonerated and the CPS try to bring a case against the PJ, using corruption as their reason.

susible Sat 22 Jun - 12:33

I really doubt that Kathybelle, prosecuting the PJ for corruption...that sounds like Stephen Birch's theory...which is a pile of crock IMO.

No, I really don't see any of it as a cover up, there would have been no need for a review then and certainly not the advanced action we are seeing now, the McCanns would just have disappeared and we would not have heard any more about them if they were being protected..and if so then it's the worst cover up and protection in history...we wouldn't be writing on this forum if the level of protection was such that you suggest.

It's all quite simple in my opinion, there was not enough evidence to prosecute in Portugal, there was nothing to be gained by keeping the McCanns there and the case was shelved until new evidence was presented and that is what I think SY are doing right now..gathering new evidence, against whom I obviously don't know, but as there really have not been any other credible suspects, it must surely be the Mcs and their friends.

**Panda** Sat 22 Jun - 12:38

kathybelle wrote:In my opinion, The McCanns were not charged with any offence, was not because the PJ didn't have enough evidence to charge them. They were not charged, due to intervention by the British Government. This was also stated by Goncalo Amaral, on the steps of the Lisbon court, when the McCanns were in the throes of trying to permanently ban Goncalo Amaral's book 'The Truth of the Lie.'

This was a good enough reason to charge the McCanns

http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/TAVARES_ALMEIDA.htm

If there was no Government intervention, why weren't they charged? The McCanns were the last people to see Madeleine alive, apart from Gerry, the ones who checked the children (if they checked them) said they never saw Madeleine, only the twins. Gerry McCann was the only one who said he saw Madeleine, when he made his check at 21:05.

Why did the McCanns request the case was closed, when they were arguidos, if they played no part in Madeleine's disappearance?

http://gerrymccan-abuseofpower-humanrights.blogspot.co.uk

If I am so wrong, why were the McCanns passports returned to them, as soon as they were made arguidos and why were they given a police escort to take them to the Algarve airport.

The McCanns had hindered the case from the minute the Portuguese police came to investigate Madeleine's disappeared, they lied as soon as they were questioned and the lying didn't stop there. Kate McCann refused to answer 48 questions regarding Madeleine's disappearance. I know she wasn't forced to answer the questions, but the fact that she didn't, knowing full well that she was hindering the case, was a good enough reason to keep the McCanns in Praia da Luz.

The law was on the PJ's side, because arguidos, are supposed to adhere to terms of their arguido status. Robert Murat, requested the arguido status, because each time he was taken in for questioning, he wasn't allowed a lawyer at his side.

All of Robert Murat's property was confiscated and later returned to him, because there was nothing in his property that showed he had a connection with Madeleine's disappearance. His alibi provided by his mother was found to be proven, so in effect, the police had no reason to keep him as an arguido. Robert Murat was told that until the McCanns were either charged or were released from their arguido status, he would have to remain an arguido.

However unlike the McCanns, Robert Murat, had to remain in Portugal and he had to adhere to the terms of the arguido status. Robert Murat had cooperated fully with the PJ throughout and he was treated like a bag of s**t by them and so was his mother.

Robert Murat, was a British citizen, with a young child who resided in Britain, he was not only hung out to dry by the PJ, he was hung out to dry by the British Government. While the McCanns were protected and had been protected, from the minute Gerry telephoned Gordon Brown, when he should have been out looking for Madeleine and would have been out looking for Madeleine, if he and his wife played no part in her disappearance.

This case stinks to high heaven. It wouldn't surprise me, if the McCanns are exonerated and the CPS try to bring a case against the PJ, using corruption as their reason.

Thanks kathybelle, a lot of info to digest, I will devote all my time to it later. In the meantime I copied this little bit:

From the beginning the parents of the minor attributed the fact (disappearance) to the action of a third party, defending the KIDNAPPING.

Even though it was a possible scenario, the actions of the family were in the sense of conducting into that direction, through the publicity of the fact in a way that was never seen before.
In fact, in the following day, the British televisions 'opened' the news already publicizing the disappearance/kidnapping of the minor"

Taken from almeida's testimony

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