Madeleine McCann: McCanns Admit, Liverpool Echo Wins And A Missing Child
MADDIE WATCH – Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann
DAILY EXPRESS (front page): “MADELEINE – McCANNS: OUR MISTAKE”
The paper says that Kate and Gerry McCann admit being wrong in leaving Madeleine in their holiday apartment.
THE SUN: Leaks, smears … now plane lies”
MADELEINE McCann’s parents yesterday blasted claims they and the Tapas Seven had demanded a private jet and five-star hotels to return to Portugal.
So the Mail on Sunday was wrong?
McCanns’ spokesman Clarence Mitchell angrily denied the paper’s report. He said: “No such demands have been made. All talk of private jets and five-star hotels is complete rubbish.”
DAILY MAIL: “Portuguese police leaks are ‘shameless smears’ to discredit us, say McCanns”
Police in Portugal supposedly operate in total secrecy and officers, suspects and even witnesses face jail if they speak out about ongoing investigations. But behind the scenes, officers have briefed selected journalists with a series of sensationalised claims about the 11-month hunt for Madeleine.
The McCanns have endured wild allegations that they could have drugged their children or even dumped Madeleine’s body during a publicity visit to Spain. But they are especially furious about the timing of the latest leak, which derailed a planned trip to the European Parliament to call for an improved alert system for missing children.
DAILY MIRROR (front page): “THE GLOVES ARE OFF.”
“Kate and Gerry McCann’s fury over ‘blatant’ Portuguese police leaks”
Madeleine was crying.
Says Clarence Mitchell, the McCanns’ spokesman:
“Their awareness had risen but their system failed. They were incredibly unlucky but they made a mistake. There is no getting away from it.
“Nobody, but nobody, regrets it more than they do. And if, God forbid, Madeleine is never found they will have to live with it for the rest of their lives. But, let us not forget, the person who is really responsible is the person who took Madeleine.”
The McCanns are good parents:
Says Mitchell: “This is a blatant and timed attempt against Kate and Gerry to try to divert attention onto negative headlines questioning their suitability as parents.
DAILY STAR (front page): “MADDIE’S PARENTS CLEARED IN DAYS.”
Maybe. Well, there is no case againt them.
THE INDEPENDENT: “McCanns demand inquiry over leak”
In the early stages of the Madeleine inquiry, Portuguese police frequently cited their secrecy of justice laws to explain why they could not answer journalists’ questions.
But Portuguese newspapers printed a series of articles, quoting anonymous “police sources”, that shed light on how the case was developing.
The stories often proved to be accurate, and respected Portuguese reporters confirmed that senior detectives were leaking information to them
DAILY TELEGRAPH: “McCanns may refuse to attend reconstruction”
Those leaked police reports:
Says their spokesman Clarence Mitchell: “It’s a blatant attempt to question their suitability as parents. We’re not happy — the gloves are off now.”
LIVERPOOL ECHO: “Your ECHO wins a hat-trick of media awards”
Chief feature writer Paddy Shennan was named Feature Writer of the Year at the O2 Media Awards for Cheshire and Merseyside.
Paddy’s entry included a touching interview with Madeleine McCann’s grandparents.
Newspapers can be winners with the McCanns. And Losers.
Madeleine McCann: Sex, Lies and Video
Posted: 12th, April 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (129) | TrackBack | Permalink
