Madeleine McCann. Same questions, same NON answers.

I cobbled this video together five and a half years ago, just a few Months after Madeleine McCann went missing in 2007.

It took me all of half-an hour to make, using schmaltzy, but evocative music and a few purloined pics from the Internet.

Saatchi & Saatchi would have loved the idea, even if they’d have scorned the final result.

Watching it again, today, for the first time in a LONG time; I was struck by one, overriding issue. That it could have been made yesterday.

For the questions that this clip POSE not only remain unanswered; more significantly, they remain not ASKED.

Because, irrespective of whatever happened to the little girl that Summer in Praia da Luz there are, still, infinitely more questions than answers relating to this case.

I have never asserted that Madeleine McCann was murdered by her parents. In fact, I have NEVER proffered ANY theory as to what might have happened to her.

All I have ever maintained is that what has been ALLEGED to have happened, by the McCanns, their never ending team of advisers, publicists, Government Minister contacts, wealthy backers and innumerable Press and Media lackeys, can NOT have happened.

At least, not in the way that they are maintaining.

I believe that Madeleine died in the apartment. 

I believe the specialist dogs that indicated and located forensic materials. 

I believe the FSS Forensic laboratories that initially stated that there was a DNA match derived from those materials, to Madeleine McCann, even though that department elected to CHANGE its opinion a while later, determining that the results were “inconclusive”.

I also believe that the Portuguese were brought under HUGE pressure, as they state, exerted by the British Government to enable certain courses of action to unfold and for certain conclusions to be reached.

More succinctly, I simply believe in the Portuguese. In their authorities and in their Police; in their ability to investigate crime, and most of ALL, in their PEOPLE, who have been ridiculed, lambasted, insulted and derogated to an appalling degree by a subservient Press and Media that have been directed to do so, not to mention by British MEP's.

I also believe that this is so much more than a case about a missing child and what or what didn’t happen to her. It is an inexorable but tangible web of deceit and fabrication, a determination by many people who are insistent on ensuring that a certain line of thought is pursued, maintained and propagated, whatever the cost.

I have seen nothing, thus far, to suggest that FAITH can be placed in the Scotland Yard “review”, currently taking place. 

The British Police, after all, are merely foot soldiers of the British GOVERNMENT, and if the accusations that the British Government has influenced this case are TRUE, (and there IS, ample evidence of their involvement in this case), then there is no reason to suggest that the Metropolitan Police will reach a different conclusion to the one currently been enjoyed by Team McCann.

However.

The Portuguese, seemingly are conducting their OWN review. For them, surely, this is so much more than a case of a missing child also. For them, this has to be a case about truth, honesty, impartiality and integrity.

More importantly, about HONOUR and pride.

Whatever deals, decisions or agreements were initially ‘brokered’ between the two Countries, as has been suggested must be put aside and refuted.  

Not least for those “Country Bumpkins” as the British Press described the residents of Praia da Luz, who spent the whole night of 3^rd May 2007 on their hands and knees, sifting the dirt for CLUES as to the whereabouts of a little girl.

Yes, those questions ARE, indeed still very much unanswered. 

But for the sake of Madeleine, and  for TRUTH, justice and common decency, they must now be ASKED.

God bless Madeleine, wherever you may be.

Where's Madeleine McCann NOW? Competition for AUGUST

Congratulations to Mr. C. Mitchell of North London who wins our "Maddie's next sighting" competition for JULY with his entry entitled SPAIN.

Competition entries now being accepted for AUGUST.

We are especially interested in applications featuring unusual specific locations and scenarios. Additional prizes will be awarded to those participants who can produce the most creative and stimulating entries, for example incorporating a supermarket, petrol station or cafeteria, (although these actual examples will NOT be accepted due to them already having been exhaustively submitted).

BONUS prizes will also be awarded for those entries where, in the Judge’s opinion, the best creativity can be employed relating to  any interesting or discerning feature of the person(s), accompanying Madeleine. For example, ‘swarthy’, ‘nervous looking’, ‘scruffy’ or ‘Romanyesque’ (Gypsy-like).

Please note, we are currently unable to accept entries denoting the Countries of INDIA or MOROCCO due to previous sightings there having been shown to have been entirely FABRICATED.  (UPDATE: We are also NOT accepting further entries denoting SPAIN, given their complete lack of any credibility whatsoever).

We are also unable to accept entries from ex-pat British Holiday makers whose amnesia attacks momentarily go into remission, alowing them to recal some vital clue that hitherto was never reported in the first instance.

Likewise, we can not entertain entries involving Taxi Drivers, Cleaning company vans, convicted paedophiles, (alive OR dead), on the basis of their sheer ridiculousness, even to readers of the Daily Mail.

Please send your competition entries together with your £15.00 entry fee, (cheque, postal order, bank draft, cash in any denomination or currency, or your unwanted gold jewellery,) to: 

PO BOX 101

Rothley

Leicestershire

The winning entry chosen after August 30^th will win a complete NEW UPVC Double Glazed Window replacement system from EVEREST, (proprietor B. Kennedy).

5 Runners up will receive a FREE 1 hour legal advice consultation, courtesy of  C.Ruck of London

10 Runners up will receive a free tour of the ITV studios with popular presenter Loraine Kelly.

20 further runners up will receive signed copies of ‘Madeleine’, by Kate McCann.

ALL entrants will receive a FREE ‘Look for Madeleine’ Wristband (NOT including Postage and Packing costs of £10.99)

Good luck!!


Terms ad Conditions:
Please note the winning entrant will be required to undertake a wide publicity campaign incorporating ALL popular Press and Media outlets, where you will be required to make and sign a sworn Affidavit relating to the "100% certainty" of your sighting, together with your declaration that the Portuguese authorities are "useless Boozy Porto Sardine-Munching plod" who refused to listen to the report of your sighting in the first place. (Even if you didn't make one).

Judges decision is FINAL. (Unless it later transpires your submission perfectly matches a sighting subsequently published in the tabloid Press in which case it may well be used to back up the veracity of that one).

McCanns issue NEW Wanted Suspect Photos based on TANNERS original Descriptions

At a PRESS conference today, Clarence Mitchell, spokesman for Kate and Gerry McCann, issued a number of new Identikit photographs of individuals that Detectives working for the McCanns would like to interview.

Said Mr. Mithchell,

"Someone out there knows something. Someone must have seen something. I appreciate that there has been a lot of confusion surrounding Jane Tanners testimony and descriptions relating to the abductor that she saw leaving the area of my clients apartment, carrying what she and we believe to be Madeleine McCann."

Original description of abductor, as provided by Jane Tanner

Mr. Mitchell continued:

"Given that there has been some critism leveled at Mr. and Mrs.McCann, as well as Ms.Tanner, regarding what some people have scurillously and unhelpfully suggested has been a constant change in the descriptions and appearances of this individual, it has been suggested that we concentrate our areas of investigation purely based on the information as was initially provided and recorded.

If you think you recognise any of the following individuals, please contact our specially prepared hotlines where, as well as awaiting to take details and locations of your sightings of Madeleine, they can provide a whole list of convicted or suspected paedophiles, living OR dead, who may prove to be suitable candidates and matches for your queries"

Mr. Mitchell concluded:-

"Equally importantly,they are able to accept Credit and Debit card donations in order to continue our search for Madeleine. If you do NOT have such cards, we can facilitate the acceptance of Postal Orders, cheques, bank drafts, pension books, piggy banks and cash in any denominantion or currency

Accordingly, we would very much like to know the wherabouts of the following persons:-

Curious Case of Madec Macand. (NOT to be confused with Madeleine McCann!)

An interview with the Author of "Belle Famille", Arthur Dreyfus.

Team McCann must be delighted with the ongoing saga being played out over at the LEVESON inquiry set up after the debacle of News Internationals' HACKING exploits.

Not least because, despite the best efforts of Clarence Mitchell to purport otherwise, there IS no evidence to support his previous assertions that either his or his famous Clients, (Kate & Gerry McCann), 'phones may have been hacked.

Notwithstanding, the public inquiry, admittedly set up to "look at the practises and ethics of the British Press", appears to be turning into some bizarre McCann sideshow, where Journalists, Editors and Publishers line up and get to apologise to the McCanns for their coverage of their missing daughter.

Today, (9th January 2012), it was the turn of the Picture Editor for the Sun, John Edwards. Edwards expressed "regret"  for the "Media scrum" that awaited them, (Kate & Gerry), when they returned home shortly after the disappearance of their daughter in Portugal.

Whilst I agree that some of the tactics employed by the Paps were unethical and invasive, (especially concerning the McCanns OTHER children), I'm at a LOSS as to understand exactly how Leveson expected any newspaper to behave towards a couple that had FLED Portugal, ( after they were made ARGUIDOS, potentially complicit in the disappearance of their daughter), a mere 48 hours after publicly declaring that they would "NEVER leave Portugal without Madeleine".

But then, I shall forever be bemused as to why the most Media Savvy couple on the planet, represented by a plethora of Media specialists, Publicists and exorbitant Lawyers, who have amassed a veritable FORTUNE from the British Press by way of donations masquerading as "settlements", book serialisation payments, not to mention a huge public support swayed by the MILLIONS of contrived column inches by way of their Press Releases and garbled statements; would ever DARE to partake in an inquiry designed to lambast or derogate the Press!!

Not so much biting the hand that feeds but moreover taking off the whole shoulder!

How the McCanns and their entourage react to ANOTHER publication that took place on the other side of the Channel Tunnel recently remains to be seen.

'Belle Famille', or 'Beautiful Family',  tells the tale of Madec Macend, a young boy with 2 other siblings and parents who are Doctors, who seemingly disappears whilst on a holiday whilst his parents are out dining.  The parents become Celebrities after the child's Uncle orchestrates a Global PRESS campaign and the story is closely followed by those in "High Places". Even the POPE becomes involved when.............................................................. Hang ON?

When mention of this tale started circulating on the Internet this week I strongly suspected a hoax. A spoof. A mischievous prank. Even the name, 'Madec Macand' is unequivocally designed to evoke instant comparisons!

To satisfy myself of the books authenticity, I looked a little further.

Arthur Dreyfus, a French/Swiss National, is a young writer who studied at the renowned Institut d'études politiques de Paris, whose first novel, 'La Synthèse du camphre' an interwoven tale of young love and the author's Grandfather who was a WW2 Concentration Camp survivor,  received great critical acclaim in France and is currently the subject of plans for its adaptation into Cinema.

His SECOND book, however, looks set to be an even greater sensation, where he is currently due to appear on a premiere French culture Television program to discuss it. 

When I contacted him, he was quick to confirm that the book was "inspired" by the case of Madeleine McCann.

"It starts in Normandy with a French family going on holidays in Italy. The parents, who are Medical Doctors, have three children – among them Madec, a strange and discreet boy. When the family arrives in Italy, and after many strange happenings provoked by Madec, the little boy has an accident in the kitchen, while his parents are having dinner with their friends in a nearby restaurant. 

When the mother comes back, she finds her son dead. Almost instinctively, she hides the body. As if it had never happened. From there, starts a long path, full of lies, pain, comedy, media, and cowardice. I wanted to write both about the relationship between (male) children and their mothers, and the relationship between reality and the media at the time of Internet".

Astonishingly, Arthur purports NOT to have done any extensive research or investigation into the McCann case:

"I just wanted to deal with what I had read and heard from the press. Once again, I am not an investigator. Neither an historian. Investigation files are not my passion. Precisely, the (French) media talked so much about Maddie that I didn’t need to carry on an extensive research to learn the basics about the case"

I press him and ask him if the book is based on any beliefs or instincts that he has. 

"I have obviously no general thoughts or interpretations about the case; if so I would not have written this book. I am a novelist, not a Police Inspector, thus, I can only follow what my imagination leads me to create. 

Of course, I was surprised by many details of the affair (the scale of the media campaign, the fact that the parents were suspected Months after, the very faces of the McCanns, etc.) These details just filled me with the desire to go further and from that “live novel” to invent my own one...............................My belief does not count, given the fact that I’m writing fiction. Of course, the hypothesis that the parents could be guilty is more Romanesque than the other, but this does not mean that I am in any way 100% sure about anything"

I ask him how he would respond to those who might criticise him for writing something that is critical or accusatory about a couple whose daughter is missing? He responds:

"I would say the truth: this is a fictional work"

 I ask him if he is aware that the McCanns have undertaken a number of legal actions against people who have written anything which contrasts with the McCanns insistence that Madeleine was abducted, including Criminal Profiler Pat Brown and former Portuguese Police chief Goncalo Amaral, as well as Internet bloggers and Forum subscribers:-

"I am aware of that. That is also why I added a prologue making things really clear for the reader before he starts discovering the novel and its characters"

I ask him if he is concerned whether the McCanns may seek to litigate against him regarding his book:-

"“Wait and see”. Gallimard is an old and well-established publishing house in France (editor of Proust, Gide, or Aragon). Obviously, I did not received a huge amount of money to write this book. It is just an amazing story that inspired me. Never before has a vanished child so moved the world to that extent. The absence of the child took more space than her presence. I also wanted to study the vanity of modern media, and the perfect convicts it gives birth to, like paedophiles".

Finally, I ask whether the book will be translated into English:-

"I would be delighted were it to be translated into English, a language that I love, but the editorial system makes it that the demand must come from the foreign editor itself. That is, it will be translated into English when an English editor will contact Gallimard to buy the translation rights of the book. I also know that Anglo-Saxon people very seldom read French literature and that it is thus difficult for a French author to be translated into English. 

I hope that the curiosity about this (British) affair and the desire of the English readers will speed up the process". 

I rather feel that the McCanns hope not.

Godbless Madeleine McCann, wherever you may be.

© Spudguns' Spoutings.   No part may be reproduced by any means without permission from the Author.

The McCann’s & the Temple of Influence - ANOTHER Christmas Tale......

 'Team McCann' recruits FACEBOOK !

The Leveson inquiry has thrown up some pretty harrowing tales. The ongoing inquiry, set up to examine the culture, practices and ethics of the British press following the News International phone hacking scandal has been pretty revelationary.

It has highlighted the extraordinary lengths that some journalists have resorted to in pursuit of that valuable ‘scoop’; that front page headline or ground-breaking story. 

As a journalist myself, I would have been somewhat more comfortable had the underhand methods of procuring information employed being used to expose something for the greater GOOD, e.g.: the actions of corrupt Politicians, the behaviour of privileged corporate bodies or multi-national businesses or even the outrageous practises of criminals causing widespread injustice.

Alas, the purpose of these dubious, highly illegal and frenzied activities perpetrated by the Tabloids and their servants or agents involved was for one reason and one reason only.

Scandal. Often SEX, but always salacious gossip.

Also appearing at the enquiry was the former landlord of Joanna Yeates, CHRIS JEFFERIES, who explained how, amongst other things, he had been falsely accused of being friends with a convicted paedophile and being a sexual pervert. These allegations, (along with others), were printed in a NUMBER of Tabloid journals; allegations that were described by Robert Jay QC as being "tenuous, indeed fatuous".

Despite the proceedings highlighting some pretty despicable practices amongst the Media one could be forgiven for thinking that the Leveson Inquiry is, and WILL be, nothing but a WHITEWASH at BEST, and what one Political writer described as “Muddying the waters”, at worst. 

My own observation is that the fact that Lord Justice Leveson HIMSELF is known for attending Soirées and parties at the home of Mathew Freud, husband to Elizabeth Murdoch who is the daughter to erm......RUPERT Murdoch...... kind of compromises any claim to his total impartiality in the ongoing matters.

But if it’s muddy waters you want, then you couldn’t really obscure or cloud the issue any greater than by inviting KATE & GERRY MCCANN to give evidence to the inquiry.

Unlike Chris Jefferies, whose character assassination was built on no more than the fact that he appeared somewhat eccentric and looked a little odd, the MAJORITY of the Press reports derogating the McCann’s were related to actual incidents which, ostensibly, could be substantiated.

I have highlighted previously some of the ghastly published assertions relating to the McCann’s and their friends, seemingly based on pure fiction, at which Kate and Gerry are justified in expressing outrage.

However, a LOT of the coverage relating to them and to the Police investigation into their missing daughter can NOT be consigned to what Gerry described as

“front page tabloid headlines.........of stories which appear to have no factual basis, or are exaggerated or distorted”

For instance, the now infamous Specialist Victim Recovery Dogs, Eddie and Keela DID signal that they had found Cadaverine and other materials in the McCann’s apartment, on some of their personal possessions and in a vehicle. 

Furthermore, the materials and samples SOURCED by these dogs WAS submitted to the Birmingham FSS Forensic Science laboratories where they do appear to have initially intimated a match to Madeleine McCann’s’ DNA.

Given that these dogs have successfully made contributions to HUNDREDS of serious crimes across many of the Constabularies in the UK, it would be somewhat churlish to suggest that they had spectacularly and, (more importantly), UNPRECEDENTEDLY got it wrong on this occasion, surely?

And of course, ultimately Kate and Gerry WERE made Arguidos by the Portuguese Police, suspected of being involved in the disappearance of their daughter. The initial report in September 2007 by Tavares de Almeida, then Chief Inspector, concluded, (amongst other things), that:

Madeleine McCann died in the Holiday apartment on 3^rd May 2007.

A staged HOAX abduction took place.

The McCann’s were involved in the concealment of the corpse of their daughter.

Quite how the McCann’s thought the Press were going to report on these matters remains unanswered, not least because no-one at the Inquiry asked them.

I DO believe that the McCann’s had good reason to be aggrieved by SOME of the reporting surrounding the case, an example being where stories suggesting that they had SOLD Madeleine were published; clearly contrived rubbish for which not one shred of evidence, to my knowledge, exists.

HOWEVER, given the Press and Media’s subsequent, slavish and sycophantic reporting over the subsequent 4 years or more is seemingly designed to mould the public consciousness into believing that Madeleine WAS actually abducted, (an act for which not only is there NOT a single shred of evidence, moreover, that information which purports to be evidence is clearly contrived), then their appearance at the Leveson Inquiry must surely rank as one of the most extreme all time examples of biting the hand that feeds.

I have commented elsewhere on the ridiculous unbending willingness of both the Press and Broadcast Media to propagate, WITHOUT QUESTION, the frequent, unsubstantiated and often bizarre Press Releases made by the McCann’s fragrant PR Mogul, Clarence Mitchell.

The many gathered hacks at the inquiry must surely have felt a sense of astonishment at some of the McCann’s criticisms for them, and must also have secretly wished that Robert Jay QC had reminded the Golden Couple of the following:-

That since 2007, the Press has published MILLIONS of column inches relating to dubious exploits, adventures and escapades undertaken by METODO 3, the originally favoured ‘Ace Detectives’ employed by the McCann’s, (funded by the vast sums of money donated or raised by the public).

Dutiful reports and stories were published about these Spanish super sleuths “closing in” on a secret farm in the drug addled and lawless Mountains of MOROCCO, where Madeleine was presumably being held captive; then off to SAUDI ARABIA in pursuit of Millionaire Arab Paedophiles who had reportedly “kidnapped” the little girl “to order”. Alas, before they can unpack their cases they’re OFF again, this time to investigate the LATEST sighting, in Medjugorje, BOSNIA.

 Of course, the hapless METODO agency has since been shown to be a rather charlatan organisation, (not the ONLY instance of the McCann’s employing a fraudulent ‘Detective Agency’, but I digress).

It didn’t stop the Tabloids and the Broadcasters from subsequently covering tales from a multitudinous array of destinations as ‘Team McCann’ followed “leads” from Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, The United States and Australia.

Clarence Mitchell must surely go down as the first and only PR mogul ever to hold his very own POLICE Press Conference, complete with pleas for information, a stern looking ‘pseudo-cop’ and photo-fit descriptions. Of course, there were no actual police present. Not least, presumably, because there wasn’t a single iota of evidence to substantiate either the information, photo-fits or apparent witness testimony being offered.

It didn’t stop the Press and TV from slavishly reporting this ‘mock’ Police conference, however, giving very valuable impetus and substance to the abduction theory.

I’m pretty certain that the now beleaguered and battered Press would have liked Leveson’s QC to have reminded the McCann’s of that devotion, in their defence.

Alas, he didn’t. Nor did he appear to have time to remind the McCann’s of the innumerable OTHER page leads, reaffirming the “abduction” angle, that followed with alarming regularity:-

MORE photo-fits and descriptions of dubious characters as apparently ‘seen’ by even more dubious “witnesses”. Tales of shadowy figures, lurking in the undergrowth, hiding under stairwells, seen shinning up drain-pipes or spying through apartment windows.

Not to mention the scores of known, convicted paedophiles that the ‘McCann Detectives’ were anxious to interview on the evidential basis that they might have been within a thousand miles of Portugal on the day in question. Even those that are DEAD are not safe from exposure or suspicion, one being suspected of possibly having made a “deathbed confession”.

Yet MORE characters and witnesses, some professing knowledge and vital information and clues or evidence relating to Maddie’s “abductor” continue to be paraded and published as important “leads” or “links”.

ALL of these sightings, witnesses, leads, links, photo-fits, descriptions and pieces of information have one, unequivocal linking factor in common:-

Absolutely NONE stand up to scrutiny, evidentially; they have not the slightest tangible iota or shred of credibility to support them, or to make them bona fide, other than the fact that Clarence Mitchell or a “spokesman for the McCann’s” is quoted as saying that they are “following the development with interest”.

Of course, it begs the same old question as to WHY the Press and Media would, without question, slavishly publish and broadcast these stories without either verifying or substantiating any of them.

A question LEVESON and his QC certainly weren’t prepared to either ask, or ANSWER.

Of course, there must also have been MORE than one person at the inquiry who smiled wryly at Gerry’s statement:-

“I don’t have a problem with somebody purporting a theory, writing fiction, or making suggestions”.

Not least because the McCann’s, their supporters and contributors have spent, (or provided services amounting to), at LEAST a MILLION pounds Sterling in seeking to oppress and suppress ANYONE who dares to deviate from the abduction theory/story.

Goncalo Amaral, the one time lead detective for the Policia Judiciaria in the McCann case was brought to the brink of financial, physical and emotional RUIN by litigation brought by the McCann’s seeking to BAN his book based on the Police Investigation into Madeleine McCann. Even though that ban has since been OVERTURNED, the books seized by the McCann’s and their agents have NOT been returned to Amaral.

As I write this, SKY News have recently reported that the McCann’s are FURTHER suing Senor Amaral for “at least” £1m Sterling for “Libel and breech of their human rights”. 

The News Channel describes Amaral as having:-

“made a fortune selling a book and TV documentary claiming the young British girl is dead - and wrongly claiming her parents staged a cover-up”.

They also reiterate the McCann’s assertion that he is a

“Self-obsessed, manipulative money-grabber with no morals”.

However, one has to turn from the mainstream Press and look to the INTERNET in order to really evaluate the seemingly unlimited capability of the McCann’s in attempting to control and influence the minds of the General PUBLIC when it comes to discussing their missing Daughter.

Ever since Madeleine McCann went missing in the summer of 2007 there have been those that have doubted that she was abducted. Some individuals did so for no other reason than that they took a dislike to the McCann’s or because they believed, as is so often the case in such apparent child abductions, a family member is complicit in their disappearance.

Others, however, keeping an eye on developing information coming from the Portuguese Media and other European news reports, simply doubted the McCann’s testimonies.

I have previously written about the Daily MIRROR hosting what was to become the LARGEST online discussion Forum relating to Madeleine McCann and her disappearance. It was subscribed to by MANY Thousands of people, globally.

When discussions turned to the possible meddling of the then Home Office Minister Jacqui Smith and Forum Members started to email the HOME Office about Portuguese assertions that Smith was procrastinating assisting them with their desires to interview the ‘Tapas members’, the Forum was SHUT DOWN!

Clarence Mitchell has since boasted in a meeting that he was complicit in closing it down.

I have also previously referred to the Online Store AMAZON, who sold a publication written by American Criminal Profiler Pat Brown “The Profile of the Disappearance of Madeleine McCann”.

This popular EBook was a basic review of the available evidence in the Police case combined with a theory proffered by Ms. Brown as to what might have happened to the little girl and her parent’s possible involvement in her disappearance.

Amazon, who have previously, proudly and righteously stated that:

"Amazon believes it is CENSORSHIP not to sell certain books simply because we or others believe their message is objectionable............. we do support the right of every individual to make their own purchasing decisions."

That was their response to a whole HOST of people, companies and Charitable organisations who had expressed complaints and disgust at Amazon’s insistence on selling what was effectively CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, a book entitled “The Pedophiles Guide to Love and Pleasure”.

However, it took ONE single, simple letter from the McCann’s favourite Legal Bully boys, Carter Ruck Solicitors, (“Britain’s Most FEARED firm of libel lawyers”....The Times), and “The Profile of the Disappearance of Madeleine McCann”, erm...disappeared!

Of course, since those earlier days, Forums and online discussion sites have been usurped by SOCIAL Media and other Network sites, where discussions and debates about the McCann case continue.

On FACEBOOK for instance, there are quite a lot of pages dedicated to the McCann case. Some are unquestionably sick, puerile and offensive; others are merely platforms for discussing all of the different aspects of the case, reviewing the known evidence etc, (rather like the old Mirror Forum).

A few weeks ago, bizarre things began to happen to MANY Facebook members who were subscribed to, or were part of, any page relating to discussions about Madeleine McCann. Their pages were infused with comments and ‘Statuses’, some abusive, from people whom they had never previously had any contact with or known.

More importantly, they were discovering that their OWN comments and statuses, (some of which were made in PRIVATE groups), were being published on a Facebook page known as the “Official Find Madeleine Campaign”, a page/site run on behalf of the McCann family and clearly annexed to the official Find Madeleine.com WEBSITE, their FUND-RAISING website. 

Furthermore, (and to many, alarmingly), they found themselves ‘LIKING’ this official page and being publicly SHOWN to be liking it, (i.e. supporting it), even though many had never even previously VISITED the page and in fact DISAGREED with the page, given that it portrayed and supported views about the case that were very different from their own.

MANY of these people did NOT support the McCann’s in their fundraising efforts and some expressed concern that their details, comments, statuses and opinions had been made public on a Facebook page which they not only did NOT like or support, but which they did not agree with.

Some such individuals contacted the Administrators of this “Official Find Madeleine Campaign” an abridged example of which is here enclosed:

To webmaster@findmadeleine.com

“Dear Webmaster

I am a member of a group on Facebook which has nothing to do with the “Official Find Madeleine Campaign” page. I have noticed that my posts, and those of my friends, are showing in the “Friends Activity” of the official page and should like to know why.

I did ask this question on your official page but it has clearly been deleted without the courtesy of a reply and you now appear to have removed the facility for me to comment further or make any post there now.

Please can you explain why posts made in an unrelated group can end up on your Facebook page?

Kind Regards

*******

This is the verbatim reply, which I have seen.

Dear *******

We know all about your activities and the content you are posting on Facebook.

You will get the courtesy of being told you are banned when you afford us the courtesy of not lying about Kate and Gerry online.

And just for your information, we can only see the hate you and your “friends” spew on Facebook via the page you all belong to. We don’t see your shares and ugly comments. And we sure don’t see your comments on our page. Thank goodness.

Have a good day!

The Find Madeleine Web Team.

Even though the “Official Find Madeleine Campaign” page posted this explanatory note:

"We are posting this again because our post from yesterday is further down in the comments. Welcome to those who came from unofficial pages. Because Madeleine is a child, Facebook made the suggestion to us to combine unofficial pages with our official page. This is to protect Madeleine from online abuse and her image being used without her parents permission. We have NOT harvested Email addresses nor gone on to individual pages and added people. There is no way for us to actually do that. Facebook did the merge of pages at our request. If you do not want to be a part of this page, please unlike the page (see image). We don't need to hear how you don't want to be a part of a lovely group of people who do care about getting Madeleine home. A huge thank you to those that continue to support us in our search for Madeleine. ~FM Webmaster"

I remained skeptical. The idea that FACEBOOK itself would either suggest, or comply with any request to ‘amalgamate’ people from a whole plethora of groups into ANOTHER group at that groups request, especially given the diverse and wide ranging differences of opinion, was incredible. Unbelievable and imponderable.

Such an act would amount to Censorship and control-freakery on an unprecedented level. It would represent the most singular, undemocratic instance of the stifling of free speech imaginable, not to mention an astonishing display of power and influence by those seeking to exert such censorship.

And after all, FACEBOOK, (like Amazon), was no stranger to controversy. It has faced many campaigns and complaints for its insisting on allowing pages to remain, on such subjects as RAPE jokes and pages that glorify and pay tribute to MURDERERS such as Raoul Moat, along with its general attitude in permitting comments and topics of pretty much ANY nature to go unchecked.

It certainly wasn’t going to be influenced or dictated to by the McCann’s and their agents.

Right?

To satisfy myself of the ridiculousness of the “Official Find Madeleine Campaign” assertions, and to avail myself with the TRUE facts relating to this whole affair, I contacted Facebook’s PRESS Office, via ‘Blue Rubicon’ the ‘Communications Consultancy’ that acts for Facebook.

I pointed out this apparent anomaly amongst differing Madeleine McCann groups and quoted the “Official Madeleine” page claims about the ‘amalgamation’. I asked them:-

Can you confirm that Facebook DID, in fact, receive such a request from this group to "merge" members or subscribers from other such groups, and/or that this was as a result of YOUR suggestion?

That being the case, can you direct me to the relevant section of your 'USER agreement' granting permission for such 'merges' to take place without the consent of the subscriber?

If you did NOT either suggest or actually effect the merge, can you explain how this group has managed to obtain apparent support from Facebook members who never wished to be associated with the site?

Are you in a position to offer OTHER instances of such merges having taken place amongst groups?

The reply, when it came, was shocking! This, (verbatim), from a Richard Appleton:-

·         We merged a number of pages that purported to be official Madeleine McCann pages, at the request of the family

·         We have done this previously for charitable causes – this is not a breach of precedent

·         These pages were joined into the official Madeleine McCann page

·         Unofficial pages that make no claim on being an official part of the Find Madeleine campaign remain separate 

·         These requests were carried out via our Page Operations team

“We merged a number of pages......................................at the request of the family”

So there you have it. Facebook DID amalgamate certain groups relating to Madeleine McCann and ‘annexed’ them to the “Official Find Madeleine Campaign” at THE REQUEST OF THE McCANNS.

I immediately responded to this email, pointing out that this action had amalgamated whole groups of people who did NOT support the McCann’s in their fundraising ventures, (nor did they share the common purpose of many of those who ARE genuine members of the “official” page), turning them, unwittingly and unwillingly, from being critical of the McCann’s,  into SUPPORTERS!

I also asked FACEBOOK to comment on the fact that, far from being a “Charitable Cause”, the “Find Madeleine Fund” was, actually, a Limited COMPANY.

I further requested Facebook to provide details of the “previous” occasions where they had carried out such a merge.

To date, I have received no further replies.

To summarise: At the request of the McCann’s, the largest Social Networking Website in the World summarily and without warning, notification or otherwise “amalgamated” any pages relating to Madeleine McCann or her parents to the ONE, McCann controlled “Official” site, turning ALL, irrespective of what their opinions or feelings about the case are, into a SUPPORTER of the McCann’s, their ventures and their fundraising activities.

ADDITIONALLY, such a merge exposed those who do NOT share the aims and goals of the “Official” page to the vitriolic abuse, vilification and Cyber-bullying carried out by those purportedly acting on behalf of the McCann family.

It remains to be seen just how far ‘Team McCann’ are prepared to go in their efforts in influencing further the general public, and in silencing those who do not agree with them.

They have had the Press eating out of their hand for some considerable time now, who continue to publish whatever Press Releases are fed to them.

It is NOW clear that they are prepared to disseminate their views and mantras amongst the ONLINE information services also, targeting those that sell publications about them, forums that discuss them or sites that hold an opinion about them which does not correspond with the image that they have worked so hard in cultivating.

At least ONE online blogger is facing imprisonment and HUGE financial losses for doing no more than commenting on materials that are available to read elsewhere in the Portuguese Police files.

Clearly, when Gerry McCann stated:-

“I don’t have a problem with somebody purporting a theory, writing fiction, or making suggestions”, he omitted to add:-

“as long as it’s not about me and my wife....................

God bless, Madeleine McCann......................wherever you may be.....................