General Chat

A Portuguese lady on another website has pointed out that all documents presented as evidence would have to be translated into the Portuguese language. She stated that the judge would have to sign permission for any such translations of the diary to take place.
I point this statement out for information, as many of us will be unaware of Portuguese legal procedure.

Jay

They were stupid enough to leave three children unattended. In my eyes they are stupid enough for anything.

I am still riled they have not been bought to task for that and dont know if they are guilty of anything more serious than leaving those children - but that alone is a serious offence.

Dont assume these are intellegent caring people - if they were they would not have left those children alone and Maddie would be safe and well with her siblings.

Just on the news that Leicestershire Police say that that the Portuguese police haven't asked for anything yet.

Also would like to say that there was a photo in the Daily Express yesterday with arrows pointing to the McCann's apartment and the Tapas bar. It was the wrong apartment and the Tapas bar isn't where the arrow is either. I have been there the last couple of years. I know it's bad enough to have left your children... but they are trying to make it look as if the distance is a lot greater and that the bar is in amongst trees which it isn't

Not saying they are guilty or not guilty just pointing something out

Linda

Michelle

Like you we are all keen to know what is going on.

Just heard on news that 'cuddle cat 'has now been taken in.
If this is true, why was it not taken in before now?
If there was 'anything' on it surely it's a bit late in the day to check now.


Marion

Joan/Amokavid you have said EXACTLY what I have been wanting to post since this whole ridiculous business started. In my opinion the Portugese police have screwed the whole thing up from the start and the media everywhere have been appalling.

MM - surely losing their daughter is punishment enough, they will have to live with the results of their decision every day. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

I have held myself back from commenting on any threads (and haven't posted on the boards for days) because the tone of some posts has made me so angry, but Joan's post has said everything I have been thinking.

Maz. XX

As the Portugese Police are not permitted by law to disclose their methods, then we can not say at this stage they have "Screwed Up" The fact is we do not know what they have achieved so far.

As far a media interest is concerned, the family has brought this upon themselves. After all it was they who insisted on feeding endless stories and photos to the press - in fact they are still at it today, with a McCann "spokesman" making comments at least twice a day.It is just that the tide of sympathy has turned and the message coming over is less and less to their liking.

Let's now wait to hear the outcome.

Peter, you said ... "Let's now wait to hear the outcome.". That's exactly what we should do, but most people seem unable to do that, they are quoting "FACT" as if they are part of the investigating team or a member of the family!

"screwed up" is my opinion only, based on their speed (or lack of it) of response in the first few days of the investigation.

As has been said before, the McCann's are damned if they do or don't. I expect they are being hassled for comments constantly by the media. Most of the "facts" - which then turn out not be facts at all - seem to come from 'a source' - obviously not a reliable one!

Maz. XX

surely if the McCanns had anything to hide they wouldnt be stupid enough to leave anything incrimnating on a laptop or written in a diary.
They appear more intelligent than that

This is becoming a farce...

I also heard on the news (radio 4) that they were taking Kates diary, and Gerry's laptop, and maddies pink rabbit!!

They will surely learn a lot from them.... the diary, and laptop are going to be FULL of incriminating information..... NOT.
And as for the rabbit, all that woman is doing, is keeping it close. It is like a talisman to that poor girl. I will guarantee she even *sniffs* it.... it is her baby's toy, which she slept with.

PLEASE, LEAVE THIS ALONE, BEFORE WE LOSE EVERYONE FROM THE BOARDS AND I FOR ONE WOULD BE LONELY.

Deanna X

perhaps they are going to torture the rabbit until it talks

Mmmm perhaps its time for us all to sit back now - let the authorities do their job and we can see what they have to say, when they have officially announced it.


jude sarf wales

An Interesting and informative article in today's Economist.


The latest developments in the disappearance of a three-year-old


THERE is not much that fascinates the great British public more than a juicy “whodunnit”, especially where the victim is a beautiful blonde child. Photographs of little Madeleine McCann have scarcely left the front pages of the British press since she disappeared on May 3rd from the holiday apartment rented by her parents in Portugal's Algarve. Her distraught parents, both doctors, won praise for their energetic and dignified campaign to keep their daughter in the public eye in the hope that she would soon be found.

But three months later, in an extraordinary twist, Kate and Gerry McCann have become the main suspects in what appears to be developing into a murder inquiry. Nothing has yet been made explicit. And so far, the couple remain simply “arguidos”, or formal suspects. Yet the Portuguese press has been stuffed with speculation and tip-offs from anonymous police sources.

While gleefully repeating it all the next day, the British media has been scathing about almost every aspect of the Portuguese system, from its supposedly bungling police to the vagaries of its criminal code. Some of the criticism, such as the failure to seal the crime scene promptly, seems justified. But other complaints, including the police's failure to keep Madeleine's parents and the press sufficiently informed, appear to arise from a misunderstanding of the differences between Britain's common-law system and Portugal's quite distinct civil-law tradition.

In Britain, details of an investigation can be reported usually until someone is charged. Thereafter, a virtual gag is imposed on the press until the case comes to trial. In Portugal, it is the other way round. Nothing about a criminal investigation is supposed to be reported until charges are brought (though leaks ensured acres of coverage in the Portuguese press). This is a two-step procedure, starting with the naming of official suspects, which requires relatively little evidence, before progressing to a formal indictment if more conclusively damning evidence is found.

In the McCanns' case, this stage has not yet been reached. A 1,000-page dossier has been handed by the prosecutor supervising the case to a judge, not to ask whether charges should be brought—the prosecutor takes that decision—but rather to ask for his permission either to make an arrest (Kate McCann appears to be the main suspect), or to carry out some special procedure.

The McCanns, now back in England, have promised to return to Portugal if they are wanted for further questioning. They might have other ideas if they are actually faced with arrest and prison. But Portugal could issue a European arrest warrant—a fast-track extradition process requiring no hard evidence of guilt. Although the couple could contest it, legal experts think it unlikely they would succeed. Whatever now happens, Madeleine will not yet fade from public view.

Muffy

Did you see my thread re The film Gone Baby Gone?
No wonder the have decided not to release it.

Marion

Hiya Marion.

I've seen stuff on the news about it.

Though haven't seen the trailer for myself as yet xx

Well if they have anything to hide - which I doubt would be left on on a laptop - and I am not saying they have anything to hide - Just 'IF'.

They will have had as much notice as everyone else its going to be taken so no doubt will be as clean as a whistle.

If that story is true - regardless of my opinion of the McCanns surely that shouldnt have been leaked to the press?