Thursday, February 24, 2011

'It's the death of news,' says ex-reporter Martin Bell on the BBC's 'waste' of public money covering McCann case

Last updated at 10:52 16 January 2008

Former BBC reporter Martin Bell today accused the corporation of wasting hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money in their coverage of Madeleine McCann's disappearance.
Mr Bell was particularly scathing of the BBC's decision to send presenter Huw Edwards to Portugal to anchor a news bulletin there and to pay for a helicopter to follow Kate and Gerry McCann's car as they drove home from East Midlands airport in September.
"I am calling it the death of news," he said.
Scroll down for more...

Hitting-out: Former BBC reporter Martin Bell has slammed the corporation for wasting money on the Madeleine McCann story
"It is the stupidification of the news agenda. It is pretty obvious television news has lost its way not just with the McCann case but that has been extreme."
Mr Bell was today speaking in a debate at BBC Television Centre held behind closed doors as part of the corporation's annual News and Sports Festival. Non-BBC journalists were banned.
Mr Bell, who quit the BBC to stand as an independent MP fighting Tory sleaze, said: "I don't think they would be having a debate about the McCann coverage if they were entirely happy about the way they had done it."
In secret correspondence sent out by the BBC, the corporation asks staff: "Did we get sucked into the media circus?"
A BBC spokesman today described Mr Bell's comments as "far too simplistic". He added:
"The McCann story was of enormous interest to a large part of the audience. Our role was to balance that interest with regards to the rest of the news agenda, and on the whole, we felt we got it right."
Meanwhile, the BBC's Director General Mark Thompson has called on the corporation to make the first move in restoring trust in public life.
In a speech last night, he pledged to make changes to "repair the damage" after a string of viewer deceptions last year.
Mr Thompson said: "Until last year Britain's broadcasters might have been tempted to think that trust was somebody else's problem... Since last spring the BBC, ITV, GMTV, Channel 4 and 5 have all had salutary lessons to learn on trust."


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-508544/Its-death-news-says-ex-reporter-Martin-Bell-BBCs-waste-public-money-covering-McCann-case.html#ixzz1EtVpufR9

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

MCCANNS APPALLED BY NEWSGIRL'S SLUR

Kate and Gerry McCann (Reuters)
German reporter asks McCanns: Were you involved in abduction?
MADELEINE McCann's parents were yesterday cruelly forced to deny being involved in her kidnap.

In a shocking slur, German reporter Sabine Mueller asked Kate and Gerry McCann: "How do you feel that more and more people seem to imply you might have something to do with it?"

Appalled Kate, 38, replied: "I don't think that's the case." Angry Gerry, 39, added:

 "There's no way Kate and I are involved."

The McCanns were in Berlin to publicise the disappearance of Madeleine, four. Defiant Mueller, 35, said: "Either they're very good actors or they're telling the truth."

IT was an outrageous question that Madeleine McCann's parents could never have expected - and it left them visibly stunned.

But despite their anger Kate and Gerry McCann kept their dignity yesterday when a German journalist asked if they had anything to do with the kidnap of their four-year-old girl.

With an insensitivity that beggared belief, German Radio's Sabine Mueller coolly asked: "How do you feel with the fact that more and more people seem to be pointing the finger at you?

"They're saying the way you behave isn't how people would normally behave when their child is abducted.

"They seem to imply that you might have something to do with it."

 Clutching Madeleine's Cuddle Cat toy, Kate, 38, looked utterly appalled by the monstrous suggestion.

But somehow she collected herself, and shot back: "I don't actually think that's the case.

"It's a very small minority of people who criticise us. The facts are out there. We were dining very close to the children and checking them very regularly.

"We're responsible parents and love our children so much."

Struggling to contain his rage, Gerry said in a voice shaking with emotion: "I've never heard that anyone considers us suspects. The police certainly don't.

"We were with a large group of people and there's absolutely no way Kate and I are involved in this."

 The couple were at a news conference in Berlin to highlight Madeleine's disappearance from her holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, on the Algarve, 35 days ago.

The youngster was taken as her parents ate nearby.

Afterwards an unashamed Ms Mueller, 35, insisted her question was legitimate. She said defiantly: "I knew it was a difficult question but I felt it had to be asked. I didn't think it improper.

"I didn't want to hurt and I don't suspect the McCanns of being involved.

"Gerry McCann was very calm and I was completely convinced by his reply. Either they're very good actors or they're telling the truth.

"They're putting themselves out there a lot. They've got to expect uncomfortable questions. I was doing my job."

A friend of the couple tactfully said they were "surprised" by the question.

The friend said: "They answered it firmly and dismissed it out of hand.

"It's a travesty to suggest something like that. It's totally untrue.

"I was ready for them to walk out. But, in keeping with the people they are, they maintained their dignity and moved on.

"They'd no idea there was talk of them being remotely suggested as suspects.

"They've nothing to hide and took the question on the chin.

"If they'd got cross or upset it would have implied they'd something to hide, which is simply not the case."

Later, Gerry defended the couple's decision to keep Madeleine's disappearance in the public eye by visiting European cities.

The 39-year-old heart specialist said: "I understand why people are amazed at what we're doing. I'm sure everyone has asked how we can continue to function.

"We've tried to influence things by raising awareness. We've taken strength by being active. If we'd just locked ourselves away and waited, we'd be shells of the people we are.
"This isn't a tour. We're coming to centres we think can influence the search. What we can't do is look back in six months time and say we wished we'd done this or that.

"We don't want a long campaign, we just want Madeleine back.

 We've got to keep going. We think it's more likely she's alive than not alive."

Kate - mother of twins Sean and Amelie, two - said: "It's not easy. We're doing this for a purpose, to try to get Madeleine back." It is clear the relentless trips across Europe have left the brave couple, from Rothley, Leics, exhausted. By last night, they had held 14 interviews in 13 hours.

Before arriving in Berlin, the McCanns met the Pope in Rome. They then travelled to Madrid.

After meeting German politicians and the British ambassador yesterday, they flew to Holland. They will return to Portugal before making an expected trip to Rabat, in Morocco, on Sunday.

And still there is no let-up. The family is even planning to lobby MEPs to raise issues of child protection.

On the flight to Berlin, Gerry wearily admitted the couple's campaign to find Madeleine could last years.

They refuse to leave Praia da Luz while their precious daughter is still missing.

Asked how long they might stay there, he said: "Well, our kids don't start school for three years."

Martin.Fricker@Mirror.Co.Uk
STOP THIS POISON & PRAY THAT MADELEINE GETS HOME
Fiona Phillips

I FEEL sickened by the venomous whispering campaign surrounding Kate and Gerry McCann.

More and more people seem to be joining in now and it turns my stomach. If it was one of my children missing, I'd sell my soul to get them back.

Kate and Gerry McCann are attractive, middle class and earn decent livings as doctors. This seems to provoke a dreadful envy among some people.

I've heard rubbish about how there wouldn't have been the publicity had Madeleine been the daughter of a single mum from a council estate.

Of course there would. Class does not come into it. Regardless of class, money or status, we all feel the most incredible amount of love for our children.

I've had floods of letters from Mirror readers slamming the McCanns for leaving their children alone.

People claim they would never have done the same.

Apart from being utterly insensitive and unhelpful, that smacks of smugness.

Believe me, Kate and Gerry will be beating themselves up enough about what happened. They don't need the rest of us to join in.
I've even had letters saying that Gerry should stop wasting the taxpayers' money and get back to work.

I was listening to a radio discussion and people were arguing that there was more than one little girl missing in the world.

That isn't the McCanns' fault. This tragedy could have happened to anyone.

I can't imagine the pain the McCanns are going through. If I was in their position I'd be tempted to lock myself away and weep.

But every day, out of sheer desperation to get their little girl back, the McCanns have somehow gathered the strength to face the cameras. They've done so with such dignity. They do it to keep Madeleine in the public eye.

The McCanns should be applauded, not condemned.

Anyone with a soul should feel nothing but overwhelming compassion and sadness for Kate and Gerry.

Please, let's stop this poison and focus on what's important. Bringing Madeleine back home.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

One of the reasons the McCanns engaged in PR via Portugal NOT to clean their image but to dish the dirt on GA and plenty of bored old trolls to do their bidding.

Posted by Bonnybraes on JATYK forum Shocked Shocked Shocked Shocked

http://justathoughtyouknow.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=guests&action=display&thread=124&page=59

As Ms Morais is so keen to suppress the Amaral tape, I am going to copy the synopsis of it.
Oh, and in case she feels inclined to whine again, my understanding is that it was NOT illegal to tape it, as it was needed as evidence.
Against Amaral, as usual.
What cannot be done as it is part of legal proceedings is reproduce the translation word for word - oh, and BTW, that is proceedings against Amaral.

Remember, Ms Morais herself confirmed its genuine with the words:

they have also published an illegally recorded phone call

No, you Fascist. It wasn't illegally recorded. But thanks again for confirming that everything we have been saying about your hero Unca Am the Martyr is true.
Here we go:
=========================

http://justice4mccannfam.5forum.biz/gonc....rsion-t2118.htm

The call starts off with the ring tone, this is Goncalo Amaral phoning the husband of a woman he had an affair with.

Amaral threatens this man several times, there is also a lot of very sexually explicit language, this mainly comes from Goncalo Amaral, in this conversation he refers to "ears" in a sexually explicit way.

This is not the first time that Amaral has phoned this man or his wife, he has done so several times before, each time to threaten them and insult the lady (Ana).

The conversation is very derogatory not only towards Mrs Ana Bras, but it is derogatory towards women in general, it really does show how much of a misogynist that Amaral is.

The whole phone call was made to try and goad and intimidate Ana's husband, don't forget this man (Ana's husband) is also the man that had an affair with Amaral's wife. Apparently, he had an affair with Amaral's wife deliberately to get back at Amaral for having an affair with his own wife. (Ana) Apparently Ana, is a really beautiful woman and when she ended her ill judge and mistaken liaison with Amaral, he flipped and could not take it, he was eaten up with jealousy, so decided to take it out on her husband.

Amaral's wife (Sofia) knew how infatuated Goncalo Amaral was with this young woman and she has allegedly both physically and verbally attacked Ana.

During the phone call, Amaral refers to Ana's husband as black and he makes some derogatory comments about him being black. Ana's husband then retorted, that black he may be, but that it did not seem to bother his (Amaral's) wife Sofia, apparently she liked this.

Also Amaral made a filthy untrue accusation about Ana, apparently sleeping around, but of course he was smited and rejected by this beautiful young woman, so Amaral would say that, probably out of spite because Ana dumped him, because she regretted becoming involved with him and wanted to try and get her marriage back on track.

Of course this is not verbatim and I have put it more pleasantly, but you get the picture now.

There is also mention of money, Ana and her husband own their own home and this is something that seems to bother Amaral.


Ana’s husband says to Goncalo Amaral:



Husband: I’ve my own house, and the house were you live is not yours but of your wife's, it is on your wife's name.



Amaral: The house is mine, it is on my wife's name, but it was bought with my money!




This is a very important affirmation from Goncalo Amaral, because it proves that for a long time now, it would appear that Amaral has been passing his money - money allegedly "obtained with criminal activity" (as with his book and film) - to other persons names! Amaral can then turn around and say to the courts and to the press, that he owns nothing, and because of this he cannot pay anything - not his debts and perhaps the compensations asked by Joana and Madeleine parents. Although this is likely to affect Leonor Cipriano more that than the McCanns, because of course the Portuguese courts have already frozen Goncalo Amaral's assets.

This is a very important information that is recorded on this tape, hopefully it can be used Mr Mrs McCann, but is should all be the subject of a thorough police investigation.

Also this does land Joana Morais in a very sticky situation, it now appears that she is collecting money for Amaral's "defense fund", money Joana is taking off of old age pensioners, (who she has persuaded to donate their pensions), to place in a fund to pay for Goncalo Amaral's defense. yet no one is clear for which defense? Amaral, already a convicted criminal, liar and perjurer, guilty of perverting the course of justice, is facing several court trials, all of them very serious, some which id=f he is found guilty will see him face prison of up to 12 years!
Amaral is now knowingly allowing this collection of this fund, when he has "allegedly" been stashing cash away in the names of other people, trying to preempt this court action. Now Joana Morais knows this too, so why is she taking old aged pensioners money? This is a huge and dirty scam.
There was also Amaral doing a lot of talking and shrieking and shouting about horns and sheets, the sheet of course refers to the saying "making a bed now lie in it".

The horns talk refers to "I will break you apart", (I will turn your horns up side down), Amaral threatens by saying: "I will put you down by kicking you and without needing to use my hands", Amaral also says: "I will shoot you on the middle of your eyes", etc, etc. The last one (shooting Ana’s husband) is a death threat and is very serious, even more for a retired police officer who owns fire arms. This is why Ana and her husband have reported Goncalo Amaral and his "friends" to the PJ and the local police, (they have incident numbers and proof) and also why Ana and her husband has now written to the Portuguese attorney general twice, asking him for help and protection, these people are literally living in fear of their lives!
There was also a mention about an ear, I am sorry I cannot share this with you, but I will leave this to your imagination, it was something Amaral said when he was really getting irate and it is extremely explicit!

Over all Amaral loses it big time in the phone calls that I have listened to and Ana's husband stays quiet and calm under severe provocation.


What Amaral also says towards Ana is: "Eu faço-te a folha quando eu quiser", in English, "I sign your papers when I wish". In Portugal, "fazer a folha" means to harm someone by illegal methods.

This phrase on tape may very well be used as proof that Goncalo Amaral's authenticity of the allegations towards Ana and her husband that Amaral has also threatened them, with planting drugs in their car, in order to send them to jail. Apparently this is a good example of "fazer a folha" to someone.
Besides all that, there are lots of other verbal offences allegedly made by Goncalo Amaral, and these include very serious defamation against Ana concerning her sexual behaviour. As already said above, Ana admits to making a serious mistake and with her husband now, just want to be left alone to repair their relationship and save their marriage. But Amaral doesn't do this, apparently he keeps phoning pestering and threatening them.

Also Ana has explained she was first seduced by Amaral's sweet smooth talking and she states, this is exactly what he does on the TV and radio etc, she thought he was a man who had been wronged by the
McCanns and the press, but as she got to know Amaral, she soon became aware of his very dangerous malevolent side to him, she came to know him as a liar and she knew the image he was portraying of himself on the TV and the radio etc was a totally false image, she became afraid of him, knew she had made a terrible mistake and got out of their relationship, which he apparently did not take kindly to and then all of this allegedly resulted. While as already explained, that Amaral has
made several serious defamation of character about Ana, (he can be heard in the bars and restaurants of Portimao and Praia da Rocha, where apparently he sits and drinks heavily nearly all day, every day when he has nothing else to do, this is where he defames Ana to anyone who will listen, he also allegedly talks about the Madeleine investigation. However, we should remember that Amaral has made serious sexual allegations which were never proved against Leonor Cipriano and her brother and her partner, Leandro Silva (along with allegations of torture against Leandro Silva, which he (Amaral) is due to stand trial for very soon. He has also done much the same against Kate and Gerry McCann, during and after his botched investigation of their abducted daughter Madeleine from Prai da Luz. That’s also a crime and has already reported to the Portuguese authorities.

There is some interesting "pillow talk" though and this is from Sofia Leal-Amaral!!!! It involves accusations about her (Sofia) allegedly saying that she only stays with Amaral for financial reasons and that perhaps we all wrote off the large sum of money which was allegedly paid to a GNR about the time of Madeleine's abduction a bit too hastily!

Oh yes, there is much more to come out about this man Goncalo Amaral and Ana made a wise choice as soon as she discovered what and who he really was, got away from him!

Ana and her husband just want to be left alone now to work and repair their marriage and enjoy raising their daughter, without fear of something happening to the child and to them.
They have been physically and mentally threatened and have to live in fear that Goncalo Amaral has allegedly told them that he could make something happen to them, without getting his hands dirty! They have also been threatened that someone will plant drugs on them and they will go to prison.

They most of all fear that something bad will happen to their daughter, that she will be abducted or something else and that it would be made to look like they had been responsible for it. (Ring any bells?)

-------------------
etc.
======================================
There is more on the blog:

http://justice4mccannfam.blogspot.com/

Anyone interested can also find details of the download for the tape- I already have a copy, in case Ms Morais feels like taking her jackboots to anyone else.
I doubt if she will be in a very good mood this morning, as by her own actions, she confirmed that the tape is indeed Amaral shouting and swearing.
Which begs the question - why is she scrounging money off pensioners for that thug?
Shameful

----------------

End of quote, or should that be rant ? anyway I believe ROSIEPOPS was the first with this tape...

Madeleine McCann: TIMELINE

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Madeleine McCann went missing in Portugal

Madeleine McCann: Timeline

Take a look at the timeline of events and the story background to Leicestershire toddler Madeleine McCann's disappearance on 03 May 2007. Listen to the interviews...
Four-year-old Madeleine McCann from Rothley in Leicestershire disappeared from an apartment in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve on Thursday 03 May 2007.
She is believed to have been taken from her bed while her parents were eating at a nearby restaurant. They regularly checked on her and their two-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie.
At the very end of May, Madeleine's parents visited the Pope and received his blessing.
Since the initial weeks of speculation, little in the way of hard and fast fact has emerged.
What follows is a month by month account of the main events from June to the present.
"Kate and Gerry McCann have spoken movingly of the night their daughter Madeleine vanished, a year after the three-year-old disappeared. "
BBC News

Timeline of Events:

June 2007

Gerry and Kate McCann make an appeal on Crimewatch for help to find their daughter.
0n 03 June - It is four weeks since Madeleine McCann went missing. Ben Jackson looks back over BBC Radio Leicester's coverage of the Leicestershire toddler's disappearance...
Hostile questioning from a journalist provokes the McCanns to deny involvement in Madeleine's abduction.
On 13 June - It is announced that the tributes and toys left at the Rothley war memorial will be cleared away. The ribbon-strewn scene in the village is by now a familiar image in television news bulletins.
On the same day many competing in the Rothley Road Race donate the money they raise to the Madeleine Appeal. BBC Leicester's Ben Jackson spoke to Madeleine's Great Aunt, Janet Kennedy...
Pupils at Madeleine's playschool make a film to raise awareness of child abduction.
On 22 June - It's the 50th day since the disappearance, This is marked in 50 cities.
Missing: Madeleine McCann

July 2007 

A woman who claimed to be collecting money for Madeleine but instead used it for drugs is jailed for three months.
Author J. K. Rowling asks bookshops worldwide to display posters showing missing Madeleine.
The Prime Minister is assured that everything is being done to find Madeleine.
The tributes and ribbons placed around the war memorial in Rothley are all removed.

August 2007

The police in Portugal announce that they have found nothing in the house of Robert Murat, an official suspect.
Tests are carried out on suspected traces of blood found in the McCann apartment.
On 10 August - Madeleine has been missing 100 days.
The McCanns announce they are to sue a Portuguese newspaper which claimed they killed their daughter. They say, "We are deeply hurt by the allegations."

September 2007

Kate McCann is officially declared a suspect.
Family and friends rally round Kate. The grandmother of Madeleine declares this development 'absurd'.
On 09 September - Kate and Gerry McCann return to their home in Rothley amidst huge media interest. They say they are determined to clear their names.
The villagers of Rothley again declare their support for the McCanns.
The McCanns say that the money raised to help find Madeleine won't be used to clear their names.
On 19 September - Portuguese prosecutors say there is no new evidence to justify the questioning of the McCanns.
Madeleine's parents, Gerry and Kate McCann Madeleine's parents, Gerry and Kate

October 2007

The police chief investigating Madeleine's disappearance is taken off the case.
On 21 October - Gerry McCann says he welcomes the announcement that the friends, who were on holiday with them in Portugal, are to be interviewed again.
Writing in his internet blog, Gerry says he wants them to be eliminated from the enquiry as soon as possible.
He adds that he and his wife will continue to hope that one of the lines of investigation leads to Madeleine being found safe and well.
On 24 October - Kate and Gerry McCann  indicate that they may take legal action over some media reports about the disappearance of the daughter.
The couple give their first broadcast interview since being declared suspects in the case.
They tell Spanish television that some of the coverage had been ludicrous and hurtful.
On 25 October - The parents of Madeleine McCann have released an artist's impression of the man they believe abducted their daughter. The sketch depicts a man of southern European or Mediterranean appearance walking with a child in his arms.
It is drawn by an FBI-trained forensic artist using details from a friend of the McCanns, but the face is blank because the witness wasn't certain about some details.
The fighting fund set up to help find Madeleine McCann was used by her parents to make two mortgage payments, their spokesman says. Clarence Mitchell says: "The fund has always had the ability to assist the family financially if necessary."
He says Kate and Gerry McCann stopped using the fund in September when they were made formal suspects in the case.
Aerial view of the Mark Warner Ocean Club Aerial view of the McCann's apartment complex

November 2007

On 01 November - Gerry McCann goes back to work at  Glenfield hospital, Leicester.
Listen to BBC Leicester's Julie Mayer's report from the hospital and to Gerry McCann's statement to the press...
On 03 November - Six months since four-year-old Madeleine McCann disappeared. The following  evening  families in  Rothley are invited to attend a special church vigil.
Rothley's four churches come together to pray for Madeleine and other abducted, trafficked or exploited children. Kate and Gerry McCann spent almost an hour at the service in the church of St Mary and St John near their home.
In the six months since the disappearance the village of Rothley has found itself in the media glare - at times that's made life quite difficult for those who live and work there.
Sam Spillane runs her business from the heart of the village. She spoke to BBC Leicester's Ben Jackson about how she and her neighbours have learned to deal with that intrusion.
Percy Hartshorn chairs Rothley Parish Council - he explains how the village is managing to weather the storm and is hopeful for a positive end to what's been a challenging time...
On 29 November - Forensic experts from the UK and Portugal meet at Leicestershire Police headquarters to discuss DNA samples collected during the inquiry.
The war memorial in Rothley A beacon of hope

December 2007

On December 22 - Mr and Mrs McCann send a public message to Madeleine: "Our only Christmas wish is for you to be back with us again."

January 2008

Early in the month there is much speculation that a film about Madeleine is going to be made. Gerry McCann plays down  the story.
On 20 January - The McCanns release police sketches, based on a statement given by a British holidaymaker, of a man they believe may have abducted Madeleine.

February 2008

On 23 February - Portuguese justice minister Alberto Costa says the police investigation into the young girl's disappearance is nearing its end.

March 2008

On 19 March - Mr and Mrs McCann accept £550,000 libel damages and front-page apologies from Express Newspapers.

April 2008

On 07 April - Portuguese police arrive in Britain to observe as the friends of Kate and Gerry McCann are interviewed by local police about the night Madeleine went missing.
On 08 April - Gerry and Kate McCann are asked to return to Portugal to take part in a large-scale re-enactment of the hours surrounding Madeleine's disappearance.
On 11 April - Madeleine's parents responded angrily to publication of leaked transcripts of interviews with Portuguese police last year.
On 14 April - Portuguese police investigating Madeleine's disappearance deny leaking details of statements made by her parents to officers.
On 30 April - Kate and Gerry McCann speak movingly, in an ITV1 documentary, of the night their daughter Madeleine vanished, a year after the three-year-old disappeared.
To find out more about the latest developments, click the link below...
Leicestershire toddler Madeleine McCann Missing Madeleine McCann from Rothley

Background on the Story

Madeleine's mother, Kate, discovered that her daughter was missing at approximately 21:30 on Thursday 03 May.
Portuguese law prevents the police from revealing details about an investigation while it's ongoing, so Kate and Madeleine's father, Gerry, made an emotional appeal outside their holiday apartment for Madeleine's return.
Kate said that they were very grateful for the support they'd received from the townspeople in Praia da Luz:
"Gerry and I would just like to express our sincere gratitude and thanks to everybody, but particularly to the local community here, who have offered so much support.
"We couldn't have asked for more, so I just want to say thank you, and please continue to pray for Madeleine – she's lovely."
Tying yellow ribbons to the railings in Rothley Ribbons for Madeleine in Rothley

The reaction at home

The reaction in Leicestershire was heartfelt, as family and friends of the McCanns expressed their concern.
Local people have left messages, yellow ribbons, candles, flowers, toys and pictures at the war memorial in the centre of Rothley as gestures of support for the McCanns.
Kate's father dismissed the criticism levelled at his daughter and her husband for leaving their children alone:
"You couldn't meet a more considerate, caring set of parents. I'm proud of my daughter and I'm proud of her choice of husband. They really care for their kids and they would never do anything to jeopardize them."
Public acts of sympathy and remembrance were held across the county, including a prayer vigil outside Glenfield General Hospital, where Gerry works as a cardiologist. A colleague said: "Their anguish must be great and we're all hoping for good news soon."
Emotion also ran deep in the McCanns' home village of Rothley. Neighbours, friends and well-wishers came together on Tuesday 08 May to hold a silent vigil by the war memorial, and yellow ribbons were tied around the railings.
Valerie Armstrong, the landlady of the Royal Oak pub in Rothley and a friend of the family, said the entire village is sending the family its support:
"The whole of the green was full and I didn't dare turn around because it was very emotional. It just shows that this is what people wanted to show the family – that the village are behind them and they really do care."
Prayers for Madeleine McCann

"Everything possible is being done"

But alongside the compassion, friends and family of the McCanns have been voicing criticism of the Portuguese authorities. The British Ambassador for Portugal, John Buck, stepped in to defuse the tension:
"I have been in touch closely over the last few days with cabinet ministers in Portugal, with the Prime Minister’s office, and with Portuguese police authorities. They all assure me that everything possible is being done to ensure the safe return of Madeleine."

Madeleine's Fund

On 16 May 2007, nearly two weeks after Madeleine's disappearance, Madeleine's family launched the Madeleine fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned appeal.
The money donated is being used to help find Madeleine McCann, support her family and bring her abductors to justice.
Contributions can be made to Madeleine's fund by post, with cheques payable to 'Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned', and should be posted to:
'Madeleine's Fund' c/o The International Family Law Group 26 Southampton Street Covent Garden WC2E 7RS
Internet donations can also be made into the following account, and will be processed free of charge:
'Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned' Sort Code 60 40 05 Account Number 32130058
If you would like to download a 'Bring Madeleine Home' poster or if you would like to add your message of support for the McCanns, click on the links below:
last updated: 30/04/2008 at 17:36
created: 10/05/2007
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