Networked Knowledge - Media Reports

[This edited version of the report has been prepared by Dr Robert N Moles]

Madeleine McCann homepage
UK issues homepage
Tort and Compensation issues homepage
Article on Australian miscarriage of justice cases
Article on UK miscarriage of justice cases
Article on USA miscarriage of justice cases

Settlement of defamation action: this is the report of the settlement of the defamation action concerning the McCann family in respect of publications which have cast aspersions upon their inegrity

23 September 2007 Caroline Gammell in Praia da Luz Telegraph “Madeleine McCann: Parents making things worse”.

The head of the Portuguese police federation hit out at Kate and Gerry McCann today, accusing them of hampering the investigation into their daughter’s disappearance. Carlos Anjos, head of Asfic, said there was little point interrogating the couple again because they would, as they are entitled to, refuse to speak. And he warned the investigation into the missing four-year-old girl could end up taking a "very long time". "This is a difficult and complex case made worse by Madeleine’s parents attitude who do not facilitate or help the investigation," he said. "There is no sense in scheduling other interrogations as Kate and Gerry have already said they will speak no more. "They are arguidos, a status which allows them to remain silent and they have already said that they will make no more statements. "This case is here for a long time because there is no apparent motive and it will be very difficult to prove if it was homicide if Madeleine’s body is not found."

However, Clarence Mitchell, the McCanns' spokesman, dismissed claims that the McCanns were using their right to silence to withhold co-operation with police. Mr Mitchell said: "We are not prepared to comment on Mr Anjos's remarks but Kate and Gerry have always said they are willing to return to Portugal at any time to help the police with their investigations." Mr Anjos's comments came after the McCanns added another top legal name to their defence team. Rogerio Alves, President of the Portuguese Bar Association, will work alongside the couple’s first lawyer Carlos Pinto de Abreu. The married 45-year-old who has two children, has been a lawyer for two decades and worked on a number of high profile cases. Confirming his appointment, Mr Alves said: "I am delighted to be helping the McCanns in their current situation and look forward to working closely with Carlos Pinto de Abreu." He said the most important part of the case was to "restore justice and of course if possible discover the child."

It is understood the McCanns will have separate lawyers to deal with the allegations which have been put to them by Portuguese police. Detectives in the Algarve are apparently working on the theory that Mrs McCann may have accidentally killed Madeleine and relied on her husband to help cover it up. The McCanns have vehemently denied the allegation. The appointment of the two leading lawyers is thought to be one of Portugal's most expensive defence teams for people who are only arguidos, or suspects. Mr and Mrs McCann met the two men with their British lawyers in London yesterday.

In Portugal, detectives were still waiting of the results of a toxicology report being carried out by the Forensic Science Services in Birmingham. There has been repeated speculation, dismissed by her parents as ludicrous, that Madeleine may have died from an overdose of drugs or sedatives. A spokesman for the McCanns said: "We are not prepared to comment on Mr Anjos' remarks but Kate and Gerry have always said they are willing to return to Portugal at any time to help the police with their investigations."

23 September 2007 Davinder Kaur “Madeleine: Robert Murat may be cleared”.

Robert Murat, the first person declared a formal suspect by police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, has been told he is to be cleared. The Portuguese weekly newspaper Sol reported that Mr Murat has now been told that police have no case against him. Mr Murat, 33, who lives with his mother 100 yards away from the spot where Madeleine was last seen, was taken in for questioning by police 11 days after the disappearance of the four-year-old in May.

Police searched his house and garden using specialist sniffer dogs after suspicions were aroused over his interest in the case. The British expat offered his services as a translator to police working on the case and had become a familiar sight around the crime scene in the days after Madeleine went missing. After questioning Mr Murat for several hours at local headquarters in the town of Portimao, Portugal's Policia Judiciaria declared him an "arguido" or "formal suspect". Restrictions were imposed on his movements, and he was taken in for further questioning. Despite this, Mr Murat was never formally arrested or charged.

Madeleine went missing from her family's rented holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on the Algarve on the night of May 3 while her parents, Gerry and Kate, were dining in a restaurant nearby. The McCanns were themselves declared suspects after tests on DNA samples found in their hire car were taken as suggesting Madeleine's body had been transported in the vehicle. They strenuously deny any involvement. Mr Murat is to remain a suspect until the investigation is complete to avoid compromising other ongoing inquiries, Sol newspaper said. Mr Murat was unavailable for comment today.

Top of Page