Private Security Team Hired By McCann's For Secret Investigation

[blaize]

September 24, 2007
Private security team hired by Kate and Gerry McCann for secret investigation

[Source (http://timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2517988.ece)]

David Brown in Praia da Luz and Patrick Foster

A private security firm has been secretly investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann for four months because her parents feared that Portuguese police were failing properly to search for their daughter.

Control Risks Group (CRG) is believed to have been checking reported sightings of Madeleine from around the world and building up profiles of likely abductors.

Kate and Gerry McCann turned to the company, which employs former members of the intelligence services and special forces, after becoming concerned that officers in the Algarve assumed their daughter was dead.

A source close to the couple’s legal team confirmed that CRG had been working with the family since May but refused to discuss how the company was being paid.

A source close to the couple’s legal team confirmed that CRG had been working with the family since May but refused to discuss how the company was being paid.

“Control Risks are one of the groups who’ve offered their services to the McCanns,” he said. “You can assume that they are doing some things that the Portuguese police can’t do.”

Friends of the couple said the decision showed that they believed Madeleine may still be alive 144 days after she was reported missing from the bedroom of her holiday apartment in Praia da Luz.

More at the link above.

[strach304]

I hope this report is true. It does give Port LE another reason to arrest the McCanns for breaking their laws. I'd do the same thing if it were my child. Just maybe it is their findings that keep the McCanns hope for Madeleine to be alive.

I've seen interviews pertaining to different sightings of Madeleine that the McCanns were asked about and Gerry was evasive somewhat where he would only say that they were being investigated. If they had their own people working on this it goes a long way in explaining things that were going on that they couldn't talk about.

[blaize]

I hope this report is true. It does give Port LE another reason to arrest the McCanns for breaking their laws. I'd do the same thing if it were my child. Just maybe it is their findings that keep the McCanns hope for Madeleine to be alive.

I've seen interviews pertaining to different sightings of Madeleine that the McCanns were asked about and Gerry was evasive somewhat where he would only say that they were being investigated. If they had their own people working on this it goes a long way in explaining things that were going on that they couldn't talk about.

Exactly. I won't give up hope that Madeleine will be found alive yet.

Thanks for posting strach304.

[Dr. Creepin]

The Chief Financial Officer of Control Risks Group, (ex-SAS and former MI6) is Michael Martin, the Speaker of the House of Commons! It's members include General Sir Michael Rose who was adjutant general of the British army and commander of the UN protection force in Bosnia. This special forces team cost tens of thousands of pounds, per day. Is Brian Kennedy, the billionaire Everest magnate paying for this and why? He has the same name as Kate's uncle, any relation? And isn't this outside interference jeopardising an ongoing police investigation?

[Shazza]

The Chief Financial Officer of Control Risks Group, (ex-SAS and former MI6) is Michael Martin, the Speaker of the House of Commons! It's members include General Sir Michael Rose who was adjutant general of the British army and commander of the UN protection force in Bosnia. This special forces team cost tens of thousands of pounds, per day. Is Brian Kennedy, the billionaire Everest magnate paying for this and why? He has the same name as Kate's uncle, any relation? And isn't this outside interference jeopardising an ongoing police investigation?

Great post, Dr. Creepin, the McCanns didnt hire the security team until 3 weeks after Madelaines disappearance, knowing that is was illegal in Portugal because they thought the P LE were not following all leads on sightings of Madelaine, if they were going to do that why did they not do it earlier. Now that they are back in the UK, will the McCanns come back for further questioning if required, I personally think not. Also, the Security team musnt be allowed to divulge any information they have until the P LE have charged any perpetrators, that is how I understand it.

[blaize]

The Chief Financial Officer of Control Risks Group, (ex-SAS and former MI6) is Michael Martin, the Speaker of the House of Commons! It's members include General Sir Michael Rose who was adjutant general of the British army and commander of the UN protection force in Bosnia. This special forces team cost tens of thousands of pounds, per day. Is Brian Kennedy, the billionaire Everest magnate paying for this and why? He has the same name as Kate's uncle, any relation? And isn't this outside interference jeopardising an ongoing police investigation?

Hello Dr. Creepin,

In the original source article I posted it says that the McCann's refuse to say how the service's of the PI's are being paid for.

I'm not sure their involvement can be considered outside interference or jeopardising an ongoing police investigation if the PI's are not investigating within the Portuguese borders.

Thanks for your interesting post.

[colomom]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/25/nmaddy125.xml

Madeleine McCann police fury over private hunt

[Brefie]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/25/nmaddy125.xml

Madeleine McCann police fury over private hunt

So what if they are furious? (aimed at the article, not you, Colomom)

Big effing whoop, there are no major breakthru's in this case after 4+ months and you need help.

[colomom]

So what if they are furious? (aimed at the article, not you, Colomom)

Big effing whoop, there are no major breakthru's in this case after 4+ months and you need help.

Hee, hee, hee...guess I am getting a rep huh Brefie? A bit short-tempered, I am...

In this article (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2529582.ece?token=null&offset=12) it states:

"The couple have been secretly receiving advice for more than four months from Control Risks Group, which employs former members of the British intelligence services and special forces."

So I am getting the impression that CRG has been working all this time....so maybe it is them that needs help.

[CaliKid]

So, if the investigators turn up evidence that the McCanns did something to Madeleine, will they destroy it (since we know who is paying their bills) or turn it over to the police?

[april4sky]

It all depends how you choose to look at it. We have been crying out for them to hire private investigaters.

Damned if they do!!!
Anger of Potuguese authorities on the hiring of private investigators.
Beats me why!!! I know it's against their laws but if as stated the investigaters are not on the ground in Portugal.........Mmmmmm
Posters here have said many times the McCanns should have hired private investigaters. Now we know the Portuguese system makes that impossible.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.../nmaddy125.xml (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/25/nmaddy125.xml)


Kate and Gerry McCann provoked the fury of the Portuguese authorities after it was revealed they had hired private investigators (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/24/nmaddy124.xml) to help find their daughter Madeleine.
A source close to the couple's legal team insisted they were only working in an advisory role and were not on the ground in Portugal.
But the company – which employs ex-SAS and military personnel – is thought to be focusing on Spain and Morocco, where three sightings of a little blonde girl have now been reported.
In Portugal, figures from both the police and judicial arenas vented their anger about the move.

[Brefie]

Hee, hee, hee...guess I am getting a rep huh Brefie? A bit short-tempered, I am...

In this article (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2529582.ece?token=null&offset=12) it states:

"The couple have been secretly receiving advice for more than four months from Control Risks Group, which employs former members of the British intelligence services and special forces."

So I am getting the impression that CRG has been working all this time....so maybe it is them that needs help.

ANYONE working on this needs help. I really think none of us care who hired who, who made mistakes - none of that matters - JUST WORK TOGETHER FOR A SOLUTION!!! Please God it includes a living Madeleine.

[CaliKid]

Please God it includes a living Madeleine.

Amen to that!

[colomom]

CRG's four main operating areas are: Political and security risk analysis, confidential investigations, security consultancy, and crisis response. The majority of their clients are large multi-nationals; they state that more than 90 per cent of the FTSE 100 use one or more of their services.

"Confidential Investigations"


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_Risks_Group

and their website

http://www.crg.com/default.aspx?page=2

[colomom]

http://itn.co.uk/news/5dd41262b23abbdef6af886b08325e3a.html

McCanns deny hiring private detectives

Not much of an investigation if you cannot do it in Portugal.

[blaize]

CRG's four main operating areas are: Political and security risk analysis, confidential investigations, security consultancy, and crisis response. The majority of their clients are large multi-nationals; they state that more than 90 per cent of the FTSE 100 use one or more of their services.

"Confidential Investigations"


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_Risks_Group

and their website

http://www.crg.com/default.aspx?page=2

Hello colomom,

I'm sorry I'm guess your purpose in singling out the words "confidential investigation" is escaping me, but it did pique my interest so I did a Google search using just those terms. The search turned up page, after page of PI's offering the same generic wording on their sites. Confidential investigation seems to cover a huge range of actual investigative techniques and services designed to get the job done, in this case hopefully meaning that they can directly find Madeleine or contribute helpfully to finding her.

Thanks for the links on CRG, hopefully the fact that they have international offices will mean that they can be effective in helping find & get Madeleine home.

[blaize]

http://itn.co.uk/news/5dd41262b23abbdef6af886b08325e3a.html

McCanns deny hiring private detectives

Not much of an investigation if you cannot do it in Portugal.

[Source (http://timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2517988.ece)]

If the sightings of Madeleine outside of Portugal pan out then the investigation will be a success.

Control Risks Group (CRG) is believed to have been checking reported sightings of Madeleine from around the world and building up profiles of likely abductors.

Kate and Gerry McCann turned to the company, which employs former members of the intelligence services and special forces, after becoming concerned that officers in the Algarve assumed their daughter was dead.

And

A source close to the family said that they were particularly dismayed that officers had failed properly to investigate two reports that Madeleine had been spotted in Morocco six days after she disappeared.

A British tourist from Yorkshire told police that he saw a girl resembling Madeleine outside the Ibis hotel in Marrakesh. His testimony was identical to that of another tourist, Marie Pollard, 45, from Norway, who claimed that she was “100 per cent convinced” that she saw Madeleine at a police station opposite.

Both witnesses have complained that Portuguese officers were not interested in what they believed were potentially key sightings. Mr and Mrs McCann, both 39, spent two days in Morocco in June to seek assurances from the authorities that sightings would be investigated and to promote the hunt for Madeleine.

[colomom]

Hello colomom,

I'm sorry I'm guess your purpose in singling out the words "confidential investigation" is escaping me, but it did pique my interest so I did a Google search using just those terms. The search turned up page, after page of PI's offering the same generic wording on their sites. Confidential investigation seems to cover a huge range of actual investigative techniques and services designed to get the job done, in this case hopefully meaning that they can directly find Madeleine or contribute helpfully to finding her.

Thanks for the links on CRG, hopefully the fact that they have international offices will mean that they can be effective in helping find & get Madeleine home.

Actually, it is a cut and paste job....but I read it as meaning those investigations, regardless of the findings would only be shared between CRG and whomever employed them. In other words, not the LE.

Make sense?

[colomom]

[Source (http://timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2517988.ece)]

If the sightings of Madeleine outside of Portugal pan out then the investigation will be a success.

And

Wierd...didn't copy the quotes...

IF, the McCanns are guilty and they know Madeleine is no longer with us and she is hidden in Portugal than hiring the CRG is no [threat] to them....right?

As far as the "source close to the family" being dismayed:

http://websleuths.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1699193&postcount=463

Enough to drive you crazy isn't it?

[blaize]

Actually, it is a cut and paste job....but I read it as meaning those investigations, regardless of the findings would only be shared between CRG and whomever employed them. In other words, not the LE.

Make sense?

Isn't that how any private investigator or investigation team work, they report back to whoever hired them?

But in all honesty if a crime was committed and the CRG discovered evidence to prove that then as far as I understand it they are legally obliged to submit that evidence to either the local LE where the crime was committed or to the LE in the jurisdiction where the evidence was discovered. Please do correct me if my assumption is wrong.

Thanks

[philamena]

blaize,
You are correct. If there is anything illegal found by the PI's, by law they have to turn the information over to LE. I've a family member who works for a PI here in the states. And although some may be a tad odd lol, rather Colombo like, the majority work hard and work by the book.

[blaize]

Wierd...didn't copy the quotes...

IF, the McCanns are guilty and they know Madeleine is no longer with us and she is hidden in Portugal than hiring the CRG is no [threat] to them....right?

As far as the "source close to the family" being dismayed:

http://websleuths.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1699193&postcount=463

Enough to drive you crazy isn't it?

The twists and turns of this case are enough to make anyone dizzy.

If the McCann's were guilty why would they bother hiring the CRG in the first place though? It seems to me that if Madeleine were already dead and her poor little remains not found then the McCann's would only have to worry about forensic evidence about which the Portuguese LE have already said there is not enough to arrest them.

But as far as the Moroccan connection to the investicagtion goes there seems to be a bit more than Mari Olli's alledged sighting involved.

[Source (http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_headline=madeleine--german-hunted-in-morocco&method=full&objectid=19237862&siteid=93463-name_page.html)]

The People has learned that the calls - all in Arabic and made on a Spanish pay-as-you-go phone - referred to "the little blonde girl".

The calls also referred to four-year-old Maddie's parents Kate and Gerry McCann meeting the Pope last week.

Intelligence officers from the Government's Communications Headquarters in Cheltenham, Gloucs, picked-up repeated references to a German man, and discussions about Morocco, Holland and Germany.

And in a potentially crucial lead, the Arab-speakers talked about ferry crossings from the Spanish port of Tarifa.

Eight crossings a day are made from Tarifa to Tangiers in Morocco.

The ferry journey takes just 35 minutes. And Tarifa is less than three hours drive from Praia da Luz, the Portugese resort where Maddie went missing on May 3.

For what it's worth I still hold onto the hope that Madeleine will be found alive and reunited with her family.

[colomom]

After exploring their website a bit further I am more confused about any "investigative" role this organization might take.

From: http://www.crg.com/default.aspx?page=412 (which discusses kidnapping specifically) it states:

"Our consultants never intervene. They act exclusively as advisors, analysing the situation and guiding clients in handling communications with all those involved and explaining the likely sequence of events."

Does that sound like a PI to you?

And while there are references to staying within the law in their Code of Ethics they do state that their employees are prohibited from "passing such information to a third party."

Not as clear as I would like to see.

[blaize]

blaize,
You are correct. If there is anything illegal found by the PI's, by law they have to turn the information over to LE. I've a family member who works for a PI here in the states. And although some may be a tad odd lol, rather Colombo like, the majority work hard and work by the book.

Hello philamena,

I think that's the way it works internationally too.

Thanks for replying.

[blaize]

After exploring their website a bit further I am more confused about any "investigative" role this organization might take.

From: http://www.crg.com/default.aspx?page=412 (which discusses kidnapping specifically) it states:

"Our consultants never intervene. They act exclusively as advisors, analysing the situation and guiding clients in handling communications with all those involved and explaining the likely sequence of events."

Does that sound like a PI to you?

And while there are references to staying within the law in their Code of Ethics they do state that their employees are prohibited from "passing such information to a third party."

Not as clear as I would like to see.

Yes, it does actually, especially if a kidnapping has happened.

LE doesn't count as a third party so if they work within the law anything illegal that is discovered or uncovered has to be reported to the appropriate agency or the CRG people could be charged with obstruction of justice & I'm sure other charges as well.

[colomom]

Yes, it does actually, especially if a kidnapping has happened.

LE doesn't count as a third party so if they work within the law anything illegal that is discovered or uncovered has to be reported to the appropriate agency or the CRG people could be charged with obstruction of justice & I'm sure other charges as well.

blaize...bear with me, sometimes I can be rather dense.

If they are only "advisors" than what kind of investigating exactly would they do?? If they do not intervene then does that mean that they don't go door to door or talk to shady characters in the bar...I know I watch to much TV...but advisors sounds to me like they would tell them how to react to a reported sighting...is that wrong?

~help~

[blaize]

blaize...bear with me, sometimes I can be rather dense.

If they are only "advisors" than what kind of investigating exactly would they do?? If they do not intervene then does that mean that they don't go door to door or talk to shady characters in the bar...I know I watch to much TV...but advisors sounds to me like they would tell them how to react to a reported sighting...is that wrong?

~help~

I think as a Private Security / Private Investigation company if they needed to have any on the ground investigations done in another jurisdiction they'd know who to contact, either a local associate or a freelance PI they could work with.

Why assume they are acting solely as advisors when it has been reported that they are checking reported sightings?

[Source (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2517988.ece)]

Control Risks Group (CRG) is believed to have been checking reported sightings of Madeleine from around the world and building up profiles of likely abductors.

[colomom]

I think as a Private Security / Private Investigation company if they needed to have any on the ground investigations done in another jurisdiction they'd know who to contact, either a local associate or a freelance PI they could work with.

Why assume they are acting solely as advisors when it has been reported that they are checking reported sightings?

[Source (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2517988.ece)]

Assume??? blaize!! This is copied from their website (see my previous post):

From: http://www.crg.com/default.aspx?page=412 (which discusses kidnapping specifically) it states:

"Our consultants never intervene. They act exclusively as advisors, analysing the situation and guiding clients in handling communications with all those involved and explaining the likely sequence of events."

[colomom]

AND from the Times Online article you reference above:

(http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2517988.ece)

"A former intelligence expert who has worked with CRG said: “They can offer advice on personal safety, counter safety. For example, who is watching the McCanns and even advice on hostage negotiation should that be needed. In addition . . . they will most likely offer the McCanns security advice and how to deal with bogus tips.”

:waitasec:

[blaize]

Assume??? blaize!! This is copied from their website (see my previous post):

From: http://www.crg.com/default.aspx?page=412 (which discusses kidnapping specifically) it states:

"Our consultants never intervene. They act exclusively as advisors, analysing the situation and guiding clients in handling communications with all those involved and explaining the likely sequence of events."

Then what is meant by "Control Risks Group (CRG) is believed to have been checking reported sightings of Madeleine from around the world and building up profiles of likely abductors"?

Also I don't think any business web site will give you an in depth view of what a company does, especially any firm engaged in the legal or security fields, to find that out you'd have to contact them directly.

[Dr. Creepin]

http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/20370

Among those calling for Britain’s Joint Air reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (Jaric) and spy headquarters GCHQ to be enlisted was Professor Anthony Glees, Director of Brunel University’s Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies. He claims the centres might finally be able to uncover what happened to four-year-old Madeleine when she went missing from the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz on May 3.

The Professor said they could also lift the cloud of suspicion hanging over parents Kate and Gerry McCann, who Portuguese police believe killed their daughter and dumped her body. He said: “I’ve spoken to some people involved in these areas and they would be willing to do it. There’s no reason why it couldn’t be done but they would have to be ordered by the Prime Minister or Defence Secretary.”

It's a pity Jaric don't uses their expetise and resources to follow the trail of the Renault Scenic! But CRG are not investigating the McCann's, only other leads, which actually impedes the PJ in their arduous task of finding the body.

[april4sky]

http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/20370

Among those calling for Britain’s Joint Air reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (Jaric) and spy headquarters GCHQ to be enlisted was Professor Anthony Glees, Director of Brunel University’s Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies. He claims the centres might finally be able to uncover what happened to four-year-old Madeleine when she went missing from the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz on May 3.

The Professor said they could also lift the cloud of suspicion hanging over parents Kate and Gerry McCann, who Portuguese police believe killed their daughter and dumped her body. He said: “I’ve spoken to some people involved in these areas and they would be willing to do it. There’s no reason why it couldn’t be done but they would have to be ordered by the Prime Minister or Defence Secretary.”

It's a pity Jaric don't uses their expetise and resources to follow the trail of the Renault Scenic! But CRG are not investigating the McCann's, only other leads, which actually impedes the PJ in their arduous task of finding the body.
How are they impeding the PLE when they are not searching in Portugal.

I also didn't realise the PLE know for certain that Madeleine is dead!!!

[Dr. Creepin]

Reported in the Daily Star on Thursday:

Last night a source close to the investigation dismissed any distress the couple showed over learning the girl in the picture was not Madeleine as “tears of a crocodile’’.

They admitted they were no longer looking for a living girl and were continuing to search for four-year-old Madeleine’s body.

A police source said: “We have seen the picture but this information is not valued. We could tell quickly it was not Madeleine. The shape of the head was wrong.

“But we did not expect the little girl to be her. The theory of abduction is no longer being pursued. We believe she died in the apartment. “We continue with the investigation to find the body and bring to justice those who killed her.’’

Police believe Madeleine died after being given an accidental overdose of sedatives to help her sleep so her parents, both 39, could go out for dinner with pals in a tapas bar in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz.

They want to hit the McCanns, of Rothley, Leics, with FIVE charges.

Kate could face a MANSLAUGHTER rap for allegedly accidentally killing Madeleine.
[
She and husband Gerry jointly face being accused of ILLEGALLY DISPOSING OF A BODY in a bid to cover up the crime.

They also face a possible CHILD NEGLECT charge after leaving Madeleine and their twins alone in the holiday apartment.

And Kate could be charged with BREACHING JUDICIAL SECRECY by revealing in a newspaper interview while a suspect in a criminal case that police had seized her Bible as evidence.

It is illegal in Portugal to discuss the evidence in an on-going investigation.

Police also want the couple jailed for OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE by hiring private detectives to hunt down their missing daughter.

They brought in their own investigators to search for Madeleine fearing police had stopped looking.

Portuguese law chiefs claim the move is illegal and itself punishable by a jail sentence

[gord]

Reported in the Daily Star on Thursday:

Last night a source close to the investigation dismissed any distress the couple showed over learning the girl in the picture was not Madeleine as “tears of a crocodile’’.

They admitted they were no longer looking for a living girl and were continuing to search for four-year-old Madeleine’s body.

A police source said: “We have seen the picture but this information is not valued. We could tell quickly it was not Madeleine. The shape of the head was wrong.

“But we did not expect the little girl to be her. The theory of abduction is no longer being pursued. We believe she died in the apartment. “We continue with the investigation to find the body and bring to justice those who killed her.’’

Police believe Madeleine died after being given an accidental overdose of sedatives to help her sleep so her parents, both 39, could go out for dinner with pals in a tapas bar in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz.

They want to hit the McCanns, of Rothley, Leics, with FIVE charges.

Kate could face a MANSLAUGHTER rap for allegedly accidentally killing Madeleine.
[
She and husband Gerry jointly face being accused of ILLEGALLY DISPOSING OF A BODY in a bid to cover up the crime.

They also face a possible CHILD NEGLECT charge after leaving Madeleine and their twins alone in the holiday apartment.

And Kate could be charged with BREACHING JUDICIAL SECRECY by revealing in a newspaper interview while a suspect in a criminal case that police had seized her Bible as evidence.

It is illegal in Portugal to discuss the evidence in an on-going investigation.

Police also want the couple jailed for OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE by hiring private detectives to hunt down their missing daughter.

They brought in their own investigators to search for Madeleine fearing police had stopped looking.

Portuguese law chiefs claim the move is illegal and itself punishable by a jail sentence


The Daily Star !!

Have you ever seen the Star - it make the National Enquirer look like a serious newspaper .......no offense but I wouldnt believe anything that comes out of that paper - it does make things up on a daily basis .

For all those who want to see just what the average content of the Star is please have a look at their home page

those easily offended please be warned

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/home/

[april4sky]

The Daily Star !!

Have you ever seen the Star - it make the National Enquirer look like a serious newspaper .......no offense but I wouldnt believe anything that comes out of that paper - it does make things up on a daily basis .

For all those who want to see just what the average content of the Star is please have a look at their home page

those easily offended please be warned

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/home/

I'm just surprised there were no space Aliens mentioned in the article.
They must be trying to go up market. :D

[AfterMidnight]

This isn't a laughing matter, but if the Star is anything like the National Enquirer, ROFL that anyone would take anything they say seriously. A long time ago I read that the writers get paid to make up weird crap, and the weirder the better.

Still laughing, can't help myself.

[Dr. Creepin]

Sure enough, the Star is a piece of tat, but no more so than the Sun, Mirror, Mail, Express, Evening Standard and Sky News, which prints all the "poor, innocent, fragile Kate" stories, and the other ludicrous stuff you are so keen to treat as gospel.

But...

I don’t see the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre, CRG, and GCHQ using all their resources to find Tatsuya Ichihashi, the sadistic killer of teacher Lindsay Hawker, who may strike again, and I wonder how many British tycoons have donated to this appeal? What makes the McCann's such a unique and special case?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=483798&in_page_id=1770&ito=1490

[AfterMidnight]

Sure enough, the Star is a piece of tat, but no more so than the Sun, Mirror, Mail, Express, Evening Standard and Sky News, which prints all the "poor, innocent, fragile Kate" stories, and the other ludicrous stuff you are so keen to treat as gospel.

But...

I don’t see the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre, CRG, and GCHQ using all their resources to find Tatsuya Ichihashi, the sadistic killer of teacher Lindsay Hawker, who may strike again, and I wonder how many British tycoons have donated to this appeal? What makes the McCann's such a unique and special case?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=483798&in_page_id=1770&ito=1490 (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=483798&in_page_id=1770&ito=1490)

Actually, I don't treat anything I read as "gospel". I've been burned to many times by sensationalism without substance. Until I hear an "official" statement, or read from an "official" document, I won't be holding my breath.

Now on to the second paragraph. I don't have any idea what makes the McCanns such a special case in the eyes of the British tycoons, etc. I have surmised, from what I've seen here, it makes people hate them. Somehow it rubs a class distinction in people's faces and that makes it harder for the McCanns. I do, however, think you bring up a good point. What "IN" do the McCanns have, and why?

[IrishMist]

Actually, I don't treat anything I read as "gospel". I've been burned to many times by sensationalism without substance. Until I hear an "official" statement, or read from an "official" document, I won't be holding my breath.

Now on to the second paragraph. I don't have any idea what makes the McCanns such a special case in the eyes of the British tycoons, etc. I have surmised, from what I've seen here, it makes people hate them. Somehow it rubs a class distinction in people's faces and that makes it harder for the McCanns. I do, however, think you bring up a good point. What "IN" do the McCanns have, and why?

I'm not sure the McCann's have a special "In."

For a little while there, the media was actually questioning that. Why do some cases garner so much attention, and not others? What I'm saying is, why did Lacy Peterson get so much attention, when thousands like her didn't?

But does that mean that the Peterson case shouldn't have gotten that coverage, or merely that all cases deserve that level of attention?

I know I'm diverting the thread, and I apologize. We can go back on topic now, but, as usual, I wanted to throw in my :twocents: :)

[gord]

Actually, I don't treat anything I read as "gospel". I've been burned to many times by sensationalism without substance. Until I hear an "official" statement, or read from an "official" document, I won't be holding my breath.

Now on to the second paragraph. I don't have any idea what makes the McCanns such a special case in the eyes of the British tycoons, etc. I have surmised, from what I've seen here, it makes people hate them. Somehow it rubs a class distinction in people's faces and that makes it harder for the McCanns. I do, however, think you bring up a good point. What "IN" do the McCanns have, and why?

we had this discussion over dinnwer the other night - I think it has taken hold because for one Maddy is so young and it happened in a place on holiday where so many brits go - that you do think that this could be me -

Also I think at heart every one likes a who dunnit problem to solve and this one has all the criteria there - .

Everyone I know has a comment to make - But today news is tomrrows fish and chip wrappers - so in time something else will take its place