Networked Knowledge - Media Reports

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

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On 19 March 2008 the Daily Express reported “McCanns welcome papers' apology” See the Defamation homepage

On 21 July 2008 Alison Roberts of the BBC reported “Disappointing move in Madeleine case"

The announcement that Portuguese prosecutors have shelved the investigation into Madeleine McCann's disappearance will be a bitter disappointment to those who believe that, with more work, she might yet be found. It is also a huge embarrassment for police.

Though the Portuguese authorities have long stressed that searches for missing children everywhere have a low success rate, they have been accused of specific failings.

First, local police were criticised for failing immediately to seal off the apartment from which the three-year-old disappeared on the night of 3 May. They were also accused of not alerting the authorities in neighbouring Spain swiftly enough that a child was missing. But above all, the force handling the criminal investigation, the Policia Judiciaria (PJ), took the daring step last September of declaring Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, arguidos - or formal suspects - in the investigation.

It is now clear they did that without the evidence to back up their suspicions that the couple were involved in her disappearance. The PJ's national director later described the decision last September as "hasty". In fact, the status of arguido is designed to provide a person with protection - the right to remain silent and to have a lawyer present - that witnesses do not have.

So police are legally obliged to declare someone an arguido if they put questions that indicate they suspect them of a crime. Such questions were put to the McCanns, according to friends of the couple, in interviews last September in which they were declared arguidos. But this status laid the by-now famous couple open to frenzied speculation, fuelled by apparent police leaks to local newspapers, picked up by British tabloids.

In the end, after separate libel actions, the McCanns and the other official suspect in the case, local British expat Robert Murat, won huge sums as a result.

'Blood and odour'

Another criticism of police is that the McCanns' holiday apartment was rented out again before all possible forensic work was done. It was only in July last year that highly trained sniffer dogs were flown in from the UK. They found what was thought to be blood and an odour suggesting the previous presence of a dead body in the flat and in a car hired by the McCanns some weeks after Madeleine's disappearance. These were among the findings that prompted the dramatic shift in the police attitude to the McCanns.

Portuguese police have countered criticisms of a delay by saying they only learned of the specialised dogs' existence when the British offered them. In a recent interview with the BBC, former PJ inspector Goncalo Amaral, who co-ordinated the investigation until October, when he was taken off the job, defended his work.

"Let's wait, and people will see [from the files] that the Portuguese police and the British police did a good job - various British agencies were involved," he said. "We tried, and we worked hard. So we can't be accused of incompetence or failure."

Many Portuguese were deeply offended at British press jibes against the PJ, which is one of the country's most respected institutions.

At times, those feelings spilled over into resentment of the McCanns, and public suspicion of them. With the shelving of the investigation, Monday's statement makes clear, all three arguidos see that damaging status lifted.

But the case can also be reopened if further evidence emerges to warrant "serious, pertinent and consistent" investigation. It is unusual for missing children cases to be shelved in any country. But since Portuguese prosecutors were looking at the possibility not only of abduction but also of homicide, neglect, and concealment of a corpse - as court documents seen by the BBC make clear - not shelving the case would almost certainly mean the arguidos retaining that status unless someone else were charged.

Case files may open

The McCanns have also pressed for access to the case files - which were due to come open next month anyway. Two weeks ago, the couple secured access to 81 pieces of information in the possession of Leicestershire police - thought to be potential leads phoned in by the public in the days after Madeleine's disappearance. However, that falls far short of the thousands of items they had sought in a High Court action, dropped after they reached their agreement with the Leicester-based force.

The case files can now be opened to parties with a "legitimate interest", suggesting that the McCanns' private detectives could soon have myriad leads to follow. At the same time, the files will attract many applications from the media, even if officials remove items whose publication would mainly infringe privacy, such as copies of personal correspondence. Some details from the case are set to appear in a book to be launched this week by Goncalo Amaral. In interviews given after his recent retirement, he batted away key questions about the case because it was still under judicial secrecy.

In the 14 months since the disappearance of British girl Madeleine McCann, who vanished aged three from a Portuguese holiday apartment, the story has remained front page news. But the Portuguese police investigation, and a high-profile international campaign run by her parents Kate and Gerry, have failed to locate the youngster.

Mr and Mrs McCann, of Rothley, Leicestershire, and another British man - Robert Murat - have spent most of the last 14 months as formal suspects in the case. The investigation has now been shelved until new evidence comes to light, attorney general Fernando Jose Pinto Monteiro has announced.

The Disappearance

Madeleine McCann went missing from her family's holiday apartment at the Ocean Club, in Praia da Luz, on 3 May. She was holidaying with her parents and her younger twin siblings. Mrs McCann is understood to have told police that after tucking the children up in bed Madeleine - who was wearing pink pyjamas with the words "Sleepy Eeyore" on them - said: "Mummy, I've had the best day ever. I'm having lots and lots of fun."

It is known Mr and Mrs McCann then went for dinner with a group of friends, at a tapas restaurant 100 yards from the apartment. Their party - since dubbed the "tapas seven" - included fellow medics Matthew Oldfield, Russell O'Brien, David Payne and Fiona Payne.

Also present were Rachael Oldfield (married to Matthew), Jane Tanner (partner of Russell O'Brien) and Diane Webster (Fiona Payne's mother). Leaks from the investigation suggest the McCanns arrived for dinner at 2035 local time that evening, according to their friends.

At 2105 Mr McCann went to check on the children, followed by Dr Oldfield, they said. Ten minutes later, having left the table to check on her own children, Jane Tanner says she saw a man carrying a child, close to the McCanns' apartment

At 2200 Kate McCann checked on her children. Madeleine was gone.

Mrs McCann told police that when she went to the apartment she found the outside shutter and window to Madeleine's room had been opened and her daughter was missing. Mrs McCann said police were called within 10 minutes of finding her daughter gone. Guilhermino Encarnacao, director of the judicial police in the Faro region, said officers arrived within 10 minutes of being alerted, and an investigation unit began work within 30 minutes. The manager of the Mark Warner resort in Portugal, John Hill, said about 60 staff and guests at the complex searched until daybreak for the little girl, while police notified border police, Spanish police and airports.

They were joined in their hunt by hundreds of volunteers in the following days.

The Investigation

3 May - Three-year-old Madeleine McCann goes missing from her family's apartment in Praia da Luz. Prayer service for missing girl

5 May - As the search for Madeleine continues, her parents issue a statement to say they "cannot describe the anguish and despair" they are feeling at their daughter's disappearance.

12 May - Mr and Mrs McCann make a fresh appeal for help on their daughter's fourth birthday.

15 May - British-born Robert Murat is made an official suspect - or "arguido" - following a search of his mother's villa. Casa Liliana is 150 yards from the apartment where Madeleine went missing. Briton suspect in Madeleine hunt

26 May - A description of a man seen on the night Madeleine went missing "carrying a child or an object that could have been taken as a child" is issued by police. Madeleine police hunt for suspect

30 May - The McCanns meet the Pope at a general audience in Rome at the start of a "European tour" to raise awareness of Madeleine's disappearance. Pope meets parents of Madeleine

6 June - A German reporter asks the McCanns how they feel about the fact that "more and more people seem to be pointing the finger" at them, during a press conference in Berlin.

12 June - Mr and Mrs McCann arrive back in Portugal following their European tour.

17 June - Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa admits vital forensic clues may have been destroyed in the hours after Madeleine's disappearance, as the scene was not protected properly. Madeleine evidence 'may be lost'

10 July - Formal suspect Robert Murat re-questioned

Late July - British sniffer dogs fly out to Portugal. Keela, who can detect minute quantities of blood, and Eddie, who is trained to detect dead bodies, work in the apartment and several cars, including the hire car the McCanns rented 25 days after Madeleine disappeared.

6 August - Police fail to find any new evidence after a search at the home of Mr Murat following a two-day search, the BBC understands.

7 August - Forensic tests are carried out in a Birmingham lab on suspected traces of blood found by sniffer dogs in Madeleine's apartment.

11 August - Police in Portugal acknowledge for the first time that, in light of new evidence, Madeleine may be dead. Chief Inspector Sousa adds that Mr and Mrs McCann are not being considered as suspects following newspaper speculation that they are under suspicion. Madeleine may be dead, police say

24 August - Police say they still have doubts over how Madeleine disappeared and whether she will ever be found.

31 August - The McCanns launch a libel action against Portuguese newspaper Tal & Qual which claimed "police believe" they killed their daughter. The McCanns say they are "deeply hurt" by the allegations. McCanns to sue Portuguese paper

6 September - Portuguese police interview Kate McCann for 11 hours as a witness in the presence of her lawyer. Separately, Portuguese detectives confirm they have the partial results of forensic tests by a UK laboratory.

7 September - Madeleine's mother is declared an official suspect and fears she could be charged, friends say. Gerry McCann is also named as a formal suspect following more questioning. Later, a family representative says officers believe they have found traces of Madeleine's blood in the McCanns' car, hired 25 days after she vanished. Madeleine parents named as suspects

9 September - Kate and Gerry McCann return home to Rothley, Leicestershire. Madeleine parents back in Britain

10 September - Police papers detailing the inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance are passed to Algarve-based prosecutor, Jose Cunha de Magalhaes e Meneses. In Leicestershire, police and social services meet to discuss the case. Prosecutor reviews Madeleine case. Prosecutor's legal options

Madeleine was last seen on 3 May

11 September - In his internet blog, Gerry McCann says he and his wife Kate face an "unbearable" situation. McCanns say life is 'unbearable'

Portuguese police play down reports that DNA evidence with a 100% match to Madeleine was found in her parents' hire car.

A statement is made outside the prosecutor's office in Portimao, saying he had received the files detailing the inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance and decided they should go before an instructional judge.

The judge has 10 days to make a decision on the files' contents. McCann files to be given to judge

19 September - Portuguese prosecutors rule there is "no new evidence" in police files to justify re-questioning Gerry and Kate McCann. 'No current plan' to quiz McCanns

9 October - A new police chief is appointed to take over the Portuguese inquiry.

Paulo Rebelo, deputy national director of Portuguese police, replaces Goncalo Amaral, who was removed apparently for criticising UK police. New police chief for McCann case

30 October - The fighting fund set up to find Madeleine was used to pay the McCanns' mortgage, it is disclosed. McCanns used fund to pay mortgage

1 November - Gerry McCann returns to work, as a consultant cardiologist, two days before the six-month anniversary of his daughter's disappearance. Madeleine's father back at work

26 September - A photograph taken by a Spanish tourist in Morocco is examined by experts, amid suggestions a girl in the picture could be Madeleine. Reporters later claim that the girl is in fact a Moroccan five-year-old. Pictured girl 'is not Madeleine'

16 November - Jane Tanner, one of the "tapas seven", tells the BBC's Panorama programme she saw a man carrying a child 45 minutes before Madeleine was discovered missing. McCann friend tells of abduction

18 November - Gerry McCann, in a personal video, speaks of his belief that his family was watched by "a predator" in the days before his daughter's disappearance. McCann tells of 'predator' belief

22 December - Kate and Gerry McCann send a Christmas message to Madeleine in a video appeal for information. Christmas message for Madeleine

20 January 2008 - The parents of Madeleine McCann release sketches of a man they believe may have abducted their daughter.

The drawings are based on a description by a British holidaymaker of a "creepy man" seen at the resort. Madeleine 'suspect' images issued

19 March 2008 - The Express Newspaper group pays the Find Madeleine campaign £550,000 and publishes apologies to the McCanns for suggesting they were responsible for her death. McCanns welcome paper's apology

7 April - Portuguese police fly to the UK to sit in on interviews conducted by Leicestershire Police of the so-called "tapas seven". Who are the McCann 'tapas seven'?

8 April 2008 - Kate and Gerry McCann are asked by Portuguese police to take part in a reconstruction of the night their daughter disappeared. McCanns asked to revisit Portugal

10 April 2008 - Kate and Gerry McCann address the European Parliament in Brussels, calling for a EU-wide alert system for abducted children. McCann alert 'could have helped'

13 April 2008 - It is revealed Robert Murat, who along with the McCanns is also an official suspect in the case, is to sue some British-based newspapers over allegedly libellous stories. Madeleine suspect to sue media

14 April 2008 - Portuguese police deny leaking details of statements given by the McCanns early in the investigation.

Spanish television broadcasts quotes, including some made by Mrs McCann, supposedly telling officers that Madeleine had been upset the night before she disappeared that her mother had not come to her when she cried. Police deny claims of McCann leak

Late April 2008 - In the run-up to the anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance the McCanns give a series of television and radio interviews and speak of their year of "purgatory". McCanns tells of 'desperate' night

2 May 2008 - The parents of Madeleine McCann urge anyone who spoke to police about her disappearance to contact them. McCanns appeal to police callers

3 May 2008 - Kate McCann asks churchgoers to pray for her daughter on the first anniversary of her disappearance. 'Pray like mad for our Madeleine'

7 May 2008 - The Portuguese police chief criticised for his handling of the Madeleine McCann case has resigned, says the Ministry of Justice. Madeleine police chief quits

14 May 2008 - A judge overseeing the Madeleine McCann investigation extends judicial secrecy in the case. Judge extends Madeleine secrecy

27 May 2008 - A reconstruction of the night Madeleine McCann disappeared will not go ahead after the "tapas seven" declined to take part. McCann reconstruction called off

23 June 2008 - Madeleine McCann's parents take to the High Court an attempt to get police files on their daughter released. McCanns make High Court files bid

1 July 2008 - Portugal's attorney general Fernando Pinto Monteiro says no decision has been taken on the Madeleine McCann investigation, after local media report that police will close it owing to lack of evidence.

But Portuguese police have submitted their final report on the case, which the attorney general says "will be the object of careful analysis and consideration". 'No decision' on Madeleine case

7 July 2008 - Leicestershire police agree to release files on the case to Mr and Mrs McCann, who had earlier dropped a High Court bid to force the release of evidence. Police to release Madeleine files

15 July 2008 - British expat Robert Murat accepts a £600,000 damages settlement over allegations in 11 UK newspapers that he was involved in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. Madeleine suspect in damages win

21 July 2008 - Portugal's attorney general Fernando Jose Pinto Monteiro announces that the police investigation into her disappearance will be shelved. All three suspects have their "arguido" status lifted. Madeleine inquiry shelved

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