THE two men in dark suits coming out of the Portimão restaurant adjusted their
ties and jackets after what had clearly been a satisfying Friday lunch.
Guilhermino Encarnacao and his deputy Goncalo Amaral are the two Portuguese
detectives heading the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine
McCann more than four months ago.
But their relaxed appearance belies the weight of international scrutiny their
investigation is under - and the role their team has played in contributing
to a propaganda war, with Gerry and Kate McCann in their sights. Officially,
Encarnacao was quick to condemn the press coverage. “There’s been far too
much speculation in the press,” he said.
However, Jose Manuel Oliveira, who has covered the case since the beginning
for the respected daily Diario de Noticias, said: “Who is responsible for
all the information and counter-information? It’s the police themselves.”
Under Portuguese secrecy laws, police are forbidden from revealing details of
an investigation. Yet, as they struggle to cope with the whirlwind generated
by “Caso Maddie”, they have used a series of daily leaks to Portuguese
journalists about supposed forensic evidence, diary extracts and tapped
phone calls to insinuate that the couple were involved in the disappearance
of their own daughter. Yesterday the police spokesman Olegario de Sousa quit
in dismay at such activity.
Some have suspected from the start that Madeleine died accidentally, possibly
after being sedated by Kate, and that the couple somehow hid the body
despite not having a car at that time.
Last week The Sunday Times spoke to a detective from the Guarda Nacional
Republicana (GNR), the local police, who was called to the apartment on the
night Madeleine disappeared. “What we found did not seem to be the scene of
a kidnapping,” he said.
“There were no signs of forced entry, the shutters had not been forced from
outside and the apartment had clearly not been broken into.” This, he said,
was why they did not seal it off. However, the McCanns have always said the
french windows to the apartment were left unlocked.
“The thing we found really weird was the twins not waking up,” he continued.
“We couldn’t believe it, there were maybe 20 people coming in and out of the
apartment, there was crying and lights going on and off. We kept looking at
them. They must have been sedated.”
Police suspicions were heightened by discrepancies in interviews with friends
with whom the McCanns were dining on the evening of Madeleine’s
disappearance.
These concerns led the police in late July to review the whole case and bring
in the British cadaver dogs, focusing on the McCanns for the first time as
possible suspects rather than victims. The police also began tapping the
phones of the McCanns and their friends and told journalists they had
suspicions about their conversations referring to the night of May 3.
Bodily fluid and hair reportedly matched to Madeleine were found in the
family’s hire car and traces of blood were allegedly discovered on the walls
of the apartment.
But there is a lack of precision in the data yield by the forensics and there
has been no plausible explanation of how the parents, who did not have the
car at the time of the disappearance, could have hidden a body in the time
available before dinner.
At the same time, Encarnacao and Amaral, the men from Portugal’s crime squad,
the Policia Judiciaria (PJ), are under pressure to justify their decision to
treat the McCanns as suspects. They have already been criticised for being
slow to seal off the apartment, and for the delays in searching for DNA
before those carried out on the McCanns’ apartment and car last month.
On top of this, Amaral is facing criminal charges for an alleged cover-up in a
previous case of a disappearance of a nine-year-old girl called Joana on the
same stretch of coast three years ago. No body was found and Joana’s mother
Leonor Cipriano was convicted of murder after what she claimed was a forced
confession obtained by torture.
One person unsurprised by the direction the McCann case has taken is
Cipriano’s lawyer, Joao Grade. Photographs of Cipriano after questioning
show her with two black eyes and heavy bruising - the police say she tried
to commit suicide; she says she was tortured.
Not only have five detectives including Amaral been charged by the public
prosecutor over the case but Grade has filed a complaint to the European
Court of Human Rights for the case to be reopened.
“It’s like in the movies, if they have nothing else, they must have a
confession - and it’s normal for the PJ to try to get one however they can,”
said Grade.
“The difference is that with Joana’s mother Leonor there was no BBC, no money,
she was illiterate with only two or three years’ schooling, she had six
children by different fathers, so if she ‘fell down the stairs’ in the
police station and ended up in hospital, having confessed, no one was going
to ask any questions. Kate is very different.”
In Portugal, however, the police suspicions fall on ready ears. England and
Portugal are the world’s oldest allies but there are some things the two
cultures find hard to understand in each other.
This is a country where people eat late and take their children with them. “We
can’t imagine that anyone would put their children to bed so early,
particularly when on holiday, nor that they would just leave them behind,”
said Maria de Carmo, a shop assistant in Portimão.
A leading Portuguese television journalist went further. “If the McCanns were
Portuguese parents they would have been charged with abandono -
negligence of their children.”
The family-loving Portuguese find it hard to understand that working parents
who see little of their children at home would come on holiday then send
their children to the Ocean Club crèche every day.
Some Portuguese criticise Kate McCann for maintaining her perfect grooming
throughout the ordeal and have suggested that she has not behaved as a
bereft mother. It is said the police started psychologically profiling the
couple, egged on by their wives’ comments.
“The way that the parents are dealing with this situation has left all of us,
me and my colleagues, perplexed,” Maria Jose Goncalves, a child
psychiatrist, told the newspaper Publico.
Maria do Sameiro Oliveira, a psychologist who does criminal profiling for the
police, said she found it strange “how they function so much as a unit,
always holding hands rigidly” and pointed out that normally in cases of
child disappearances, “the mother and father start to diverge, one wants to
continue the search, the other not”. She added: “They show little evidence
of suffering. They are very formal.”
One of the questions asked by the police was why Kate washed Madeleine’s
favourite toy, Cuddle Cat, with its precious smell of her lost child.
But under a cool examination, many of these doubts fall apart. One of the
leaked reports last week was of extracts from Kate McCann’s diary in which
she had allegedly admitted she struggled to manage Madeleine’s
“hyperactivity”, and complained that her husband was little help.
But Jose Manuel Oliveira, to whom it was leaked, was told by police the next
day that it was untrue. This did not stop the British newspapers, some of
whose correspondents rarely venture out of Hugo Beaty internet cafe in Luz,
picking it up and running with it a day later without checking with Oliveira.
The absurdity of this disinformation campaign is epitomised by the picturesque
church outside which new yellow flowers had been placed yesterday for
Madeleine and to which the McCanns had a key.
For the past week television cameras have been stationed outside, waiting for
rumoured digging for a body after the cadaver dogs scented death inside. “Of
course they scented death,” said the GNR detective. “The church is used for
funerals.”
“The papers are reporting that our catacombs will be dug up and the church
doesn’t even have catacombs,” said Father Haynes Hubbard, the
Anglican priest who took over the parish the Sunday after Madeleine’s
disappearance and got to know the couple well.
He describes the accusations as “ludicrous”, particularly over their lack of
grief. “I’ve seen them cry and I know they cry. The fact that they don’t cry
for the cameras means nothing.” A father of three young children, and
wearing a yellow Find Maddy wristband, he says: “I don’t recognise the
people the press are speculating about.
“What I know is a man the same age as me and a woman who spent the past four
months asking the world to bring back their little girl, who go home and
weep, who tell their children Sean and Amelie to pray for Maddy and whose
days are unbearably empty, who came as family of five and left as four.”
Cathy, i have wondered the same. My 2 year old mentions things i have forgotten all the time and is articulate enough to answer correctly simple questions. Why not ask the twins what happend that night?
Carrie, Chattanooga, TN U.S.A
IF the Portuguese police wants to give a better image of itself to the whole world (because this case has become global) they should first find the body and stop with all these senseless leakings of information.
Why didn't they act from the very beginning and try every possibility when investigating? If Madeleine's parents were lying they would have been discovered sooner than this.
Now they cannot prove what they've been accusing the parents of, that's senseless, cruel and absurd. A police force should do better than that, there's a child's life in it.
They're just backstabbing two parents who, above all, and without clear proofs that Madeleine's dead, should remain non-guilty. They're not being treated fairly. The case has turned too big for the Portuguese police to treat it, they should just admit that: they are not ready for cases of child kidnap and possible phaedophile.The parents may be guilty of some kind of neglect, but the biggest culprit is the one who kidnapped Maddy.
Alnie Nest, Oviedo, Spain
I believe that the parents are innocent and the search should go on. God bless them. Margaret Bianchi
margaret Bianchi, St Julians, Malta
The bit about Maddie being killed accidently is believable, but this thought of them stashing the body, then moving it etc etc is just too fantastic.
You just don't do that to your child.
Normal people that is, and Kate and Gerry seem pretty normal to me.
They have my full backing.
Actually the UK cops should start their own investigation, after all, it may be that a British family are being setup and that is a crime.
This cop in charge of the case in Portugal looks right dodgy.
I reckon this tragedy is going to be the case of a life time.
Get on it boys in blue.
Dai, Llanishen, Cardiff, UK
Has anyone thought to investigate the staff at the resort?
If there was no signs of forced entry then it could indicate someone with either a key or someone who could pick a lock.
Furthermore if the alleged kidnapping had been planned then someone possibly within the restaurant could have been watching making sure that the parents were not around at the key moment.
John Goh, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire
Thanks for the well-balanced article.
The worst the McKanns did was not to hire a babysitter. It would have been a negligible expense for two working professionals.
But that is it.
It seems to be a case of class envy that has turned the sentiments of the general public against the bereft parents lending insult on top of injury.
As your article emphasizes, the grist for the gossip mill seems to stem from rather shaky sources: an investigator being investigated himself and a police structure that may condone ill-treatment or worse of people called to be questioned.
I recognize your name, Ms. Lamb, from riveting reports from Afghanistan which I have relished as amazing true life accounts.
Your living experience of cultural differences lends to your unbiased vision.
Morgan Russell, Vienna, AUSTRIA
I agree totally with you Araura. Madeline was taken by someone and the Portugese Police are out of their depth; they are being scrutinised by the world and they continually come up short. Madeline is out there somewhere.
elena, Doncaster, England
I'd like to believe the McCanns, but every time they start their PR campaign to influence the public, I get suspicious. Grieving parents need to deal with their grief and find their daughter, not worry what the world thinks of them. They seem to do everything for appearances.
Simrit, London,
If they have nothing to hide, why then refuse to answer 40 questions ?
If they have nothing to hide, why then do you need the most expensive lawyer specializing in fighting extraditions ?
If they have nothing to hide, why then don't they cooperate with the police ?
Why don't the details regarding the disappearance do not match at all with their friends version ?
How does matching DNA evidence make it into a wheel well, whichwas covered ?
The OJ Simpson and Phil Spector lawyers are looking for a new job at the moment.
I bet they already have "DNA Specialists" ready to travel
George, Aberdeen,
There is an element of the British media that reminds me of yobs on holiday - running wild and out of control. Please remember the Bob Woolmer case; 90% of what was reported was invented. The common thread seems to be a total and absolute disrespect for the institutions of a foreign country (although I imagine that your press also does it at home) the result in Jamaica was a huge waste of time and resources following invented information, rumour and speculation, driven by the international - but primarily British - media. How on earth to the British make any kind of informed decisionwhen they are surrounded by this level of misinformation?
kim morton, Port of Spain,
INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY!!! Please people stop looking for sensation - it is a little innocent girl who has disapeared - and you are all so cold towards the situation! Rather say a prayer for her safe return and ask God to give her parents and siblings the strength to carry on! Stop judging people - what is this world coming to! THIS IS NOT A MOVIE - IT IS REAL LIFE!!! To the McCann's i just want to say that as a mother i can just imagine your pain - if my llittle girl went missing i too would search every little ounce on this planet until i find her! Keep the faith - don't listen to bad and negative media reports or judgemental people - just keep on doing what you are doing and FIND YOUR LITTLE ANGEL!!
And to all those judgemental people i just want to say - i hope and pray that nothing like this ever happens to your family!!! When you kiss your kids goodnight - then think about all the families who cannot!!
Sherrelle, Eastern Cape, South Africa
To Araura
There are no borders between the signataries of the Schengen Agreement. There are hundreds of roads between Portugal and Spain. To close all of them would be impossible. There are probably thousands of cars crossing every day, to search all of them is not only imposible, it would bring caos to both countries.
You seem to extrapolate the "island mentality" to the rest of the continent.
manolo, London,
I feel desparately sorry for Maddie's parents and hope they have the strength to get through the ongoing nightmare.
J Phillips, nottingham,
What I find strange is Kate dressing like a model. She put on an unbutommed pink pullover of what I consider as underwear exposing her chest and bones. How can a grief woman dress like this? This makes those of us proving the McCans innocent a bit shaky in our opinions.
Sam Danso, Romford, UK
Why not have the parents take a lie detector test?
steve aulger, london, UK
Young, attractive, self posessed and composed in the face of unimaginable horror, that of the abduction/murder of a loved one. Statements not adding up, odd behaviour? Not the Mc Canns, a young English girl in Australia who's fiance was murdered by an opportunist passer by in the Outback. How we all looked at her in the same way we regard the McCanns. Whatever the outcome this time we should have learnt that looks are deceptive.
mary Hodgson, coventry, uk
instead of all this speculation of Portuguese police not doing there job right, and blaming the partents with no solid evedents .Why not the British police and Portuguese police try and work together.that is my honest opinion.
evelyn fernandes, melbourne, victoria australia
The investigation into the dissapearance of Maddie no longer exists, no one is looking for her now. The whole situation has been so badly handled by the Portugese police that even if anyone is ever charged with this offence, the chances of them being convicted is extremely remote. All the rumours and speculation are strategicaly fed to the gutter press in order to create a ground swell of public opinion against the Mcann's.
The British police should be allowed to intervene and review the enquiry to date.
Mick, Blackburn, UK
This article only goes to show that this terrible business has an even blacker heart to it. There are too many open questions that can't be answered in a Portugal.
A Country driven ( or is it riven?), like the McCanns, by a secrecy of faith.
Where, for instance is the Catholic Priest that officiated in the local church..'till Madeline went missing? Been moved has he?
How can these Policemen who were implicated and indeed charged with the cover up of evidence in a previous case of a 'missing' child in the same area, still working and involved with the McCann case?
All this can only happen where there is no transparency of truth and justice. Is it possible to get to the heart of the matter? I doubt it somehow.
Keith, Dartmouth, UK
We find ourselves in the first stage to clarity (confusion). Under all scenarios this a tragic story that deserves a better treatment than what speculation has to offer. All parties involved have made mistakes, but prudence would advice caution in jumping to conclusions at this stage. The theory of innocence should prevail until proven wrong. The McCanns and the Portuguese investigators are entitled to prayers, support, space and encouragement. Emotions are running at high speed delaying the sunrise of truth about the fate of Madeleine.
Hannibal Silver, New York, NY
Thank God for Christina Lamb
Barbara Osborn, British Columbia, Canada
I don't know... on one side you have the couple and the manner in which they have conducted themselves since the beginning: she looks somewhat frozen but I think it is grief and he looks businesslike although nowadays he seems more distraught. The way they went around chasing for their daughter was a first for us the public. It seemed like a marketing venture. It left me puzzled.
Then the police investigation from an outsider's point of view is a mess. They haven't got the means to investigate properly they have to call on British forensic but the interpretation is left to the Portuguese.
Now the media is treating this case day in and day out in all countries so it is difficult to know what is fact and fiction. I think the whole thing is taking a political and cultural dimension and the Governments are keeping out of it leaving to the police but not for long I am sure. The diplomatic service must be working overtime...
Francoise Bailey, London, United Kingdom
Maybe Amelie and Sean could tell a story ? Maybe they could draw what they know. They may be young but they sill have memories.
Cathy Wood, Coventry , England
I think the media are deplorable. There is a feeding frenzy. It is disgusting. What happened to innocent before being provent guilty.
The McCann's have not killed their daughter - the Portugese are incompentent - it is as simple as that. I hope eventually they will get sued and heads will roll. Hang in there Gerry and Kate.
If Kate and Gerry are to be criticised for leaving their children then the same needs to apply to everyone else in the group and any other parents who have left their children in the same way.
Samantha Armstrong, Windsor, UK
Nice to read the above information giving the facts and shame on the papers who are speculating on heresay. Sticking to the facts and only the facts helps everyone. In particular the fight to find Madeline.
Lets all support the family until we know otherwise. It is heartbreaking to read all the inuendos about them. Most of which appear to be untrue.
izzy, wirral, england
This is the first time I have read comments on KMc's appearance.
admittedly I am not one that has followed closely, but she always looks well dressed in many different outfits , hair has been streaked & it's true she just looks serious.
It is amazing she has not cracked in at least one of the many interviews they have done.
My summary of her I am afraid is , cold.
Maggie Millington, Brittany , France
If there is DNA in the hired car. who hired the car on the night that Madeleine disappeared?
I admire the way the McCann's are dealing with this nightmare
of their daughter's disappearance and hope that it will end soon so that they and their family can have closure.
Elizabeth Nugent, Harare, Zimbabwe
only mising element: how much wine did they drink that evening?
mark, alicante,
Great article - thanks - it's time somebody wrote it
Luisa, Lugo, Spain
There's a probably serial child predator on the loose in this area of Portugal. I'll bet the police are covering up the presence of this person to avert damage to the local tourism-driven economy. I wonder how many more child abductions the Portuguese police are covering up with torture and leaks?
Moreover, I think it's time to boycott tourism to Portugal. My family has been there -- and it's a lovely country with lovely people. But, until the Portuguese confront the likelihood that they have a serial predator and stop persecuting their guests, it's no place to go on holiday.
Kate Simon, San Carlos, California, USA
It is really terrible the way society still sees women. If something bad happens we are the bad ones, malignity is on our face and our husbands are just mere observers with nothing to say and unable to do anything. I feel sorry and desperate to see that it is almost impossible to back people when they have problems and how easy it is to judge them without knowing anything and to come to conclusions just by looking at their faces, without using common sense.
And all this partly due to newspapers that lead us, our thoughts, as they know we have no time, mood or whatever to think over. When papers, or news on tv , radio, talk about us, being that talk untrue, we can do nothing, we have no protection, and that can´t be : If they lie, they should pay for it as individuals do in private life, in social life and in court.
Nuria Diez, León, Spain
The best most honest article so far, well done Christina for real journalism.
Its been really disapointing watching the treatment of the McCanns at the hands of the PJ and 'trash' media. I only hope they find Maddy and eventually have their day in court .
I believe the PJ and Tabloids have stepped well over the line of decency and they themselves have acted criminally.
Simon, Manchester, England
Why are the Portuguese police not searching for Madelines body? If she was dead the most likely place to have disposed of her was perhaps weighted down and dropped into the sea. Every day that the police do not send divers along the coast is a day that evidence could be lost.
Sue, London, UK
I do not believe that the parents had any part whatsoever in the disappearance of their beloved daughter. What I would like to ask is:- Why did it take the police so long to seal the borders and when they eventually did, it seems from what we were initially told, was that the police just sat in their cars and did not check each vehicle. Is this the truth and if so why are there not questions being asked about this terrible oversight. Anyone abducting a child would not hang around in the vicinity or indeed inn the same country when the border was so near. It seems to me that Madeline was taken out of the country and because of the many failings of the policeactions etc they are now trying to blame the parents to cover up for their inadequasies. Its happened before we are being told!!
Araura Berkeley, Glastonbury, Somerset