There seems to be a lack of understanding about the investigation process.
Police are in process of gathering all the evidence; it's a bit like a plane crash - the investigators can't assume anything.
Once the evidence has been pieced together th eycan do an analysis.
This systematic approach leaves no stone unturned. I hope that the same dispassionate approach is followed if anything happens to me or my family.

Julian, Bblidworth, UK

i dont think the parents would of hurt her, i have got 3 kids and i cant image hurting any of them.

my heart goes out to them and i hope they get some good news on there special little girl soon.

sandra, nottingham, englan d

The friends of the McCanns also had young children, as indeed did the other families on the Warner complex, so we are told.

So, why was Maddy a potential victim? did any one spot anything remotely suspicious , attention etc given to the many other youngsters, Were any checks or fingerprints taken from the friends apartments, to see if an attempt had been made to
abduct them? do you think the Mc Cann children were mildly sedated at night, and some one knew about it? and made an opportunist grab?

This is such a frightening story, but no one wants to point fingers, - however, we will never get over the Wests and Shipman either!--

maggie snook, Wool,, Dorset UK

A few answer to questions.
Julie, read the papers no bin collection you drive your refuse to a collection point.
Ray Haines, the McCanns know they are innocent, they hire these people to prove to the pj and people like you that the are.
Martin, ask your mother, or your sister, wife whoever about nappies, you might be shocked to discover children aged 2 and over do wear them.
Brend, Rosa, Paivi, answering questions is one thing, giving answers people want to hear is another. Would you incriminate yourself, telling a lie, just to satisfy a policeman, I doubt it .
By the way what about Madeliene, none of you question what the pj are doing to find her, well I will do it for you.

frank, newbridge, ireland

The alleged DNA evidence swung the investigation away from searching for an abductor, to instead suspecting the McCann's of involement. Even if an accident had taken place, I do not believe the McCann's would have concealed this and disposed of their child in a degrading manner. This version of the events defies all logic.

My view is that DNA evidence by itself is worthless without a credible explanation for a suspect's behaviour. If we were to take any other position, it would in future be so easily possible to set anyone up as the offender, simply by placing their DNA at the scene of crime.

Paul Wells, Ashford, England

if one is innocent, there is nothing to fear.
Justice protects the innocents and catches the criminals, sooner than later.

there is a lot more chidren that went missing, and why do i only hear about the mccanns? its not about Madeleine anymore.

Their PR is nothing but trying to manipulate the public opinion - what do they want to cover, after all.

i think what tops it all is that G. Brown is somwhat involvement / supportive - a great distraction to the Iraq war, no doubt.


Its tragic.

lulu, lisboa, portugal

To all of the judgmental 'trial by media' types.

This happened in Australia to Lindy Chamberlain... She said her baby was killed by a dingo. She acted strangely. The evidence didn't seem to make sense. She went to jail.

Several years later, she was found to be completely innocent, following a litany of police incompetence (evidence tampering), selective circumstantial evidence, and trial-by-media. Everyone decided that she was guilty by her behaviour alone. Really she was a grieving woman who had lost a baby to a dingo, surrounded by viscous group of witch-hunters; little wonder that her behaviour was strange.

By making ridiculous assumptions, casting aspersions, and publicly judging the McCann's without evidence, people are further traumatising people who are in an unspeakably horrible situation, and are probably innocent. I'll go one further. Those who do so are placing their soul in peril. 'Judge not lest ye be judged' applies here.

What's important is finding the little girl.

Kim, Adelaide, Australia

To those who critisise the Mccanns for adopting a high profile campaign, I ask what would you do in the situation? When Maddie went missing did they invite the World's press? No they turned up and the McCanns saw the opportunity to raise the profile and so it snowballed. They can hardly be critized for doing all they can to try and find her, particuarly given that in the all-important first few days portugese law didn't even allow a description of what maddie was wearing when she went missing. And to those of you who say that there is something suspect about the fact that they have lawyers and PR people to help them, well this team weren't in place from day one - the Mccanns have had to be reactive to the situation. If you think its suspicious, thats akin to saying anyone who is accused of a crime who then consults a lawyer is guilty. And those that say kate hasn't shown emotion, to me she looks like she is in unbearable pain.
There, but for the grace of god go all of us.

Allan S, London,

Given all the conjecture and speculation regarding the events of 3 May,would it not be possible to stage a reconstruction ?

Kaz, Newark,

Well, after so much information has been leaked to the press and so many theories have been pursued, one cannot but question the effiency of the Portugese police.

Ray Massart, Hombeek, Belgium

The Omagh Bomber, Pinochet (mass-murderer and torturer responsible for at least three thousand deaths of his own people) and Chris Langham - all defended by the McCann's legal people. Who is advising the McCanns? They could hardly have chosen worse if they'd wanted to look innocent.

eric campbell, harrogate, uk

The Chamberlain case in Australia where a family were accused and tried of the loss of their baby highlights the need to follow the saying - 'Innocent until proven guilty.' In this instance , a young mother was wrongly sent to jail, and her family affected in so many ways, only to be proven innocent at a later time. It would appear that the sentence was largely based on circumstantial forensic evidence, that was subsequently discounted.
Please send the McCann family all your support and prayers, as we all hope for the safe return of their daughter

joan, melbourne, victoria, australia

Last year, world-wide, 9,700,000 children under the age of 5 died. Many of them for lack of measles vaccine, clean water, or something similar which could have been had for a few quid. But their parents couldn't afford it.

I fully understand that the McCanns would devote all their resources to finding one child in particular, but the rest of us - myself included - would do well to reflect on the above for a moment now and then.

Pelotard, Stockholm, Sweden

No Tom Read the Portuguese legal system does not include a presumption of innocence? The same has Spain they have the Naploeonic system, as opposed to English Common Law, which basically means that you are presumed guilty and to have to prove your innocence. God willing the McCanns will succeed.

Jane Webber, Gibraltar,

to garth r weisman
the portuguese legal system in general and the criminal procedure in particular , regarding civil rights ,are one of the most avant gard in the continent and therefore in the world. you can learn it with the best academics experts in the continental law system.
in other words, before the portuguese law , any trainee lawyer can easly exempt anyone from a guilt veredict, but you do need a very high skilled lawyer to prove someone's guilty.

cristina cunha
Switzerland

cristina da cunha, zurich, switzerland

In Australia, many people thought Lindy Chamberlain was guilty until a dingo killed a 7 year old child. Joanne Lees has also been subject to this awful witch hunt process. The media has a lot to answer for by feeding peoples weird expectations and publishing so much speculation. Children do disappear and are never found again. How many grieving parents must be torn apart by all this. The McCanns just want their baby back. Just remind me do I talk to the media if something awful happens to me or do i not?

SueP, melbourne, Australia

We are overwhelmed with second-guessing from the information we digest through the media that influences us.
It would appear that the Portugese view, based primarily on what they have heard through their own press and TV coverage, seems to infer that we should not belittle their police investigation, the McCann's have questions and a case to answer, and their system should be allowed to procede its full course.
What is a singular truth, whatever the press and TV coverage, it has influenced us all to become JUDGEMENTAL.
Only GOD has this right....as only the parents of the the little angel Madeleine know the truth of their claims of innocence.

Peter Jezeph, Guildford,

I can't understand why everyone here believes that the McCann's are completely innocent. I'm not saying they are guilty at all as due process would or would not prove. Because they are middle class, doctors they must be innocent, this view confuses me, Harold Shipman, was a middle class doctor and he certainly wasnt innocent.

Doug, London,

If the McCanns are innocent,why all the spin,PR,contradictory statements?What is the point in highly-trained sniffer dogs and DNA evidence if it is considered useless?

Rachel Huguenin, Thun, Switzerland

Yes, McCann have simple explanations for every evidence appointed by the police. But could they explain why there are so much evidences appointed to they? One is normal, two is ok, but 3, 4, 5, ... how to explain that? Bad luck?

João Martins, Lisbon, Portugal

As any devout Catholic would do, I would recommend more and deeper faith be put into prayers for Madeleine to be found. This should be the only task. There is no need for PR, spin, bigshot lawyers, etc if you have God, honesty and religious devotion in your heart. To those who have decided not to visit Portugal anymore because of this sad event, I would suggest adding the Scenic as a vehicle not to use.

Rod Borja, Barcelona, Spain

People are innocent till proved guilty. Why not wait till the appropriate moment befor pointing fingers at people who may be totally innocent and devastated with the disappearance of their daughter and now have to face media coverage.
Does the public realize that this has already affected them and their children for ever? Innocent or guilty, enough is enough.
Enough speculation.........

Lady Elahe Tirvengadum, Floreal, Mauritius

Renee, Your statement about sedatives may have some relevence to an ordinary couple, but these people are a cardiologist and a GP who previously trained as an anaesthetist. Are you really claiming that a Dr with UK anaesthetics training is likely to make a mistake in dosing a sleeping tablet for their own child.

Firstly I doubt many Drs would use sedatives on their own children as we try to dissuade other parents from doing so, and secondly, if a dosing error is made it is usually in making the dose too small, as the child is growing and outgrows the dosages previously applied.

But ultimately, an anaesthetist is not going to get something as basic as a sedative dose wrong unless they are monumentally incompetent.

JW, Notts, UK

I think the focus should be on finding Madeleine, alive or dead. Once she is found there can be an investigation into the guild/innocence of parents and other people.
The McCanns did well using the media as it may help finding their daughter when the world knows who to look for, also, the funds raised through this are useful in the search for Madeleine. The 'coldness' of the mother looked more like shock to me; who knows how one responds in a situation like this unless you are in this situation?
All people are innocent until proven guilty, no matter what. To assume that the McCanns killed Madeleine without there even being a body is ludricus! What sort of world are we livig in if we are not allowed to use the media to our advantage, or Madeleine's inthis case, or to defend ourselves when clearly there are thousands out there who are quick enough to point fingers? Let's stop sensationalising this sad case and pray for Madeleine's return, preferably alive. I wish the McCanns well.

Erna, Whitby, England

It's amazing how european citizens still consider Portugal as a country of third zone. It's shocking. As if we are some kind of stupid or idiots that have no sense of responsability and no knowledge of anything.Why do you still have such a complex of superiority towards us? Most of the media have a very superficial knowledge of our country. And it is not because our system is different from yours that it is authomatically worse. Let the justice act and do their job without pressures from any side whatsoever.

Leonor, Lisbon, Portugal

Thank God!! Another Azaria Chamberlain we don't want.

Denise, Hobart Tasmania, Australia

The following sentence, taken from the above article.........
"The police have been heavily criticised for failing to find any evidence of Madeleine’s fate and have been under intense political pressure from Lisbon and London. " ...... seems to just about say it all !!

Tarni, London, UK

What I would like to see is the McCanns take a lie detector test. As they are completely innocent they should pass this easily – I’m surprised they have not suggested it themselves

K Reynolds, LONDON, UK

So, to reiterate a previous comment - why carry soiled nappies in the boot of a car when moving villas? It just doesn't ring true.

Jules, Truro, UK

In response to this and other comments about the same thing I would like to advise that we own a private villa in the same area that the McCanns moved to once they had left the apartment.

In this area they do not have door to door rubbish collections. Rather they have public bins called lixo and each individual household is responsible for taking their days rubbish to these bins. How it works in practise is that you end up with lots of carrier bags of rubbish in the boot which have been known to spill.

I would have thought that any contents of nappies etc would have got to the boot this way and I really wanted to point this out as it seems to be a sticking point for a lot of people. I would also have thought that any scent of death could have been picked up if they had any meat bones etc in the bin bags

P Lane, birmingham, UK

"I wonder if they are not guilty , why each time they go to a program or there is a news conference, the reporters have to give them the questions a couple of hours before, so they have enough time to prepare the answers??" This happens at all press conferences, including MP`S! Proves nothing. The McCanns may be courting the media, but again this proves nothing, there is no actual evidence linking them with murder. This is all speculation comming from the media. The fact the police over there couldnt catch a cold doesnt help!!! I believe that if there was evidence proving the McCanns were involved they would have been charged by now and unable to leave the country.

Richard, Glasgow, Scotland

An awful lot of you must live in an incredibly black and white world - to be able to draw detailled conclusions on the grieving process of a woman that you do not know, from photographs and tv footage - truly amazing! What amazes me even more is that you seem to be seeing a totally different portrayal of a person the rest of us. I don't know enough about what is going on to really judge - and am not doing so yet as I believe in innocent until proven guilty - not trial by media. However, I have to say that in many of the photos that I have seen of the McCanns they look haggard, tired and haunted - the faces of people who could quite easily have been distraught and sobbing for hours, before taking on the numb, worn out look that anyone who has had a major trauma can identify with (coping and staying strong) - they would not be able to function for more than a few days if they were constantly breaking down - you have to keep busy and try to be positive to keep yourself going!

Gemma, Nottingham,

I firmly believe that The McCanns have courted and continue to court the media .
If they are innocent then why refuse to answer 40 questions from Portuguese Police .
Also ,soiled , disposable nappies go into a bin not another hire car.!!
Where is proof the flip flops ,pyjamas and used nappies were in this car boot? !! McCann media circus again .
It is all speculative .I`m sorry but Ibelieve they are covering up a series of terrible events .Why notch up 1,703 miles in a hire care just to-ing and fro- ing from airport ?Impossible .Wait &see spectator .

Linda, Belfast , N Ireland

I wonder if they are not guilty , why each time they go to a program or there is a news conference, the reporters have to give them the questions a couple of hours before, so they have enough time to prepare the answers??

Julia , Madrid, Spain

Their choice of lawyers says a lot about them. A criminal dictator and a mass murderer. These are the people these lawyers have represented. It definitely raises a few doubts and questions about the McCanns.
Poor child whose gone missing or ...?

Elba, Madrid, spain

The most worrying thing about this is that there is a very real possibility the Portugese police are trying to cover up for a complete screw up on their part. They seem to be playing the most deceptive role in this. The McCanns are right to lodge a full-on media campaign in their defense because we all know that its the media that call the shots on just about anything these days - win over the media and you win the case!

Dan, London,

Apparently, denials count as not answering the question

Kevan, scotland,

There is just something that does not stack up about this whole matter and it has been like this from the start. When have you ever seen a mother show no emotion whatsoever at the abduction of her child? ..... . The Mother seems so cold and distant.

Beth, Liverpool, UK

Are you watching the same woman I am? Look how much weight she has lost, look at the unbearable sadness in her face. Just because she isn't sobbing hysterically doesn't mean she isn't grieving.

Liz, London,

Indeed, Portugal needs the guidance of a 1st World Country like the UK, where the Met Police puts 7 bullets (!) to the head of an innocent, and everyone involved walks aways freely with a pat in the back... Does anyone blamming the authorities investigating this case tried to get some numbers around how many cases of missing children are left unsolved in the UK every year? Grow up.

Eduardo, Lisbon, Portugal

I wonder if they will write a book about it? Sounds disgusting I know, but whether guilty or innocent the McCanns have shown that they are far from typical parents. If they are proved guilty - and as far as we can tell from the leaked so far the evidence seems unlikely to put that "beyond the reach of doubt" , then I guess they will get a couple of years (if they can show it was accidental) and then be able to accept book offers which I guess would start at GBP 10m. If they are not charged or convicted, then unless someone else is caught they will be in OJ's position, in which case the book is probably going to be worth say GBP5m. Either way, expectthat within 2 years, they come up with an excuse why it is morally acceptable to tell "maddie's story"

Wade, Cartagena, Colombia

For a innocent couple they are surrounded by the best lawyers and experts. It is a lost cause for the Portuguese law and legal system. It would be better to save us some money and leave the British law to deal with it.
Living under a Dictatorship does not make us savages or incompetent! We let the police work and do not ask them to reveal everything.
Portugal is a small country, not rich, but very old and deserves the respect of the world.

Ana, Maidenhead, UK

Beth from Liverpool - read India Knight's article in last week's Sunday times. People like you are unbelievable, casting aspersions based on what you think you see in a bereaved monther's expression on TV. Tell me, can you see in Mrs McCann's eyes how she and her husband managed to kill her daughter (accidentally or otherwise), hide her body while leaving only poor quality trace evidence and then casually resume dinner with friends, all within a 2 hour window? Or how she then moved and disposed of the body, again without leaving conclusive DNA evidence, while in the full glare of the media? If you can I'm sure the Portugese police would love to hear it. If not, I'd suggest you maintain a suitably dumb silence. I sincerely hope you never do jury service.

Matt, Leeds, UK

Aren't most items of clothing packed inside of a bag or suitcase? The DNA would then be inside the bag, not inside the car itself. Not only that, but DNA is individual, meaning that the DNA of the sister or brother could not be confused for that of Maddie because some of the markers would be different. The only time more that one person has the exact same DNA is when the siblings began as one egg which split, as is the case with identical twins.

Janet Fuls, Cottonwood, CA USA

Re; the nappy thing - I very much doubt if they would be using towelling nappies. Even people who use towelling nappies at home, use disposables on holiday. No one would get on a plane with a nappy bucket and the requisite sterilising equipment. Using towelling nappies involves a lot of extra effort which is doubled in the case of twins. Being a working mother, I doubt if Kate uses towelling nappies at home anyway. So, to reiterate a previous comment - why carry soiled nappies in the boot of a car when moving villas? It just doesn't ring true.

Jules, Truro, UK

Surely it is normal procedure to eliminate the parents at the very start in an equiry of this nature?

S.Prescott, Basildon, U.K.

I agree with those who say let's wait for the facts before we judge. All I would say is that if I lost a child in such tragic circumstances, then were suspected of that child's murder, to the point where I could no longer search for her/him, I would most gratefully take all the help I could get to clear my name to enable me to carry on with the search asap. I pray that little Madeleine is found soon and wish her parents continued strength through this nightmare.

Clara, Richmond,

Oh for goodness sake!!!! How can people criticise the McCanns for defending themselves when the Portugese police appear to be continually leaking material to the media. So much for their strict laws about not revealing information about ongoing investigations!

It's time the police PUT UP OR SHUT UP. I think they are trying to blame the McCanns to focus attention away from their incompetent handling of the investigation from day one.
I understand the team are so squeaky clean themselves that a number of them (including the head of the team) are facing criminal charges over their handling of a similar case?

ANNETTE, SOLIHULL, UK

Not sure why Cheri of Solihull cannot believe the McCanns had anything to do with the disappearance of their daughter, after all most homicide victims are related to, or known to, the person responsible for their death. Why is this case any different?

Neil, Gloucestershire, England

Have to say I agree with a number of comments on this story, but the main things that stick out for me are the lack of emotion shown by the parents, and the contamination of evidence that seems to have occurred throughout. Of course that old statement also rings true throughout all high profile cases of this nature..there is no smoke without fire!

Simon, Barnetby, England

Never have I seen such bizzare behaviour by a seemingly innocent couple. They initiated all the publicity, and willingly courted it hust as long as it was favourable. Now, when the spotlight is well and truly on them, it seems they don't want publicity. The McCanns, it seems, are more interested in their own professional careers and reputations than in their children.

Neil, Gloucestershire, England

I can't help but feel that the McCanns have shot themselvs in the foot with the media campaign they initiated. Now that the allegations are flying thick and fast - whether true or otherwise - the fact they've adopted the "spin everything" approach leads everyone to beleive what ever they say is a lie.

I don't think it's fair to pass judgement on whether they're telling the truth or not, but hiring PR gurus affiliated with other scandals will necessarily lead to judgement being cast and muddy the water further on their take of the story.

AR, Dundee,

Ohhhhh guys! Stop being so English! Portugal people are rasists, inconpetent, pervert and so on...???Stay at home if you dont want to go to Portugal anymore. Rather then blaming the other nation, look at yourself and McCanns and you will realised that the whole thing stinks!!!

Jana, Prague,

Likewise I am amazed that many people blindly believe there innocence. We haven't heard half of the evidence that points the finger at them. Too much faith in peoples characters is why the Portugese investigation has been flawed.

Mark Newman, Gloucester, UK

Why were'nt posters or flyers made up of Madeleine with a possible changed appearance........surely if she was taken by an abductor......the first thing he/she would do would be to try to change her appearance.so she would not be easily recognizable......possible dress her as a boy......change colour of her hair complexion etc.......far-fetched but logical......with the posters that have been distributed.....the little girl would have been so easily recognized......I also believe in the McCann's innocence and it is unimaginable what they are enduring at this terrible time ....

Kate Ferguson, Central Queensland, Australia

Excellent idea the one of the lie-detecor test. I do no understand how Kate M can assure the body bluids found belong to the twins's nappies since before Madelaine's dissapearance. Doesn't she throws them away? did she throw them in the car just like that? Is she really dirty? and saying that she handled about six corpses before the holiday: A GP handling six corpses and taking the same working clothes on holiday. Does she wear beach clothes at the office or office clothes on holiday??? I am sorry for her but the excuses are as poor as the evidence!!

Clara Knott, London,

Has Brendan been awake for the last 10 years? We have had loads of cases in this country when evidence has been planted, or just plain misconstrued. It is not that long since the word of a scientist convicted Sally Clarke- who everyone now accepts was innoncent. I wish I lived in the same Europe as Brendan but sadly i live in the real one

james dawson, liverpool,

The police were only willing to question Mr Hoos on the basis of tying him to the McCanns. Which is remarkable considering the number of actual criminal ties he has!

I understand that the reason the furnaces were sealed, was because of complaints from neighbours about the smell, so it should be easy to establish if they were used by a third party when Mr Hoos was having his eye operation, because the complainants would have surely filed a fresh complaint!

Europe hasn't seen a police investigation with such a closed mind since Belgian police "investigated" the murder of Christine Van Hees.

Matthew Spencer, Bedford, UK

i just have some questions
1. at what time had the children there dinner that evening ?
2. was it the first time they left the children alone ?
3. what would the snifferdogs find in a new search ?

Mathieu, zaventem, belgium

Alice
If the Porguguese police hadn't continually leaked information and mis-information to their press, they wouldn't have come under such scrutiny and criticism.

For weeks even before the latest interviews the Portuguese press were printing accusations against the McCann's based on 'police sources'.
Even Oligario da Souza resigned in disgust at the leaks by his officers, and the way the McCann's have, as a direct consequence, been publicly vilified without being found guilty

Do you expect the secrecy law to apply only to the witnesses, suspects - whilst the Portuguese police launch a sustained 'trial by media'?

Finally, the McCann's launched a fight back against the - criminal - leaking of information about the investigation by the police themselves. Good for them.

It's not about Portuguese or British - it's about fair play and common sense, which is universal and not culturally specific. The Portuguese police have only themselves to blame.
Sonya

Christina, Essex, England

Asta, since alleged evidence against the McCanns is being leaked by the police and reported in the media it seems perfectly fair to me that the McCanns defend themselves in public.

Dave Edgars, Wakefield,

In response to Telma, Guildford : Doctors are human first and foremost, they do make mistakes like lawyers police bankers etc. you can be a profesionnal scientist and still have your hand a little too easy on what you do...you can lose a little track of objectivity ! that's why supervision is always necessary and often compulsory no matter how expert you are !

Paul S., Paris,

Whatever the outcome of this case the one thing which stands out is how incompetent the British doctors are.

Cajó, Lisboa, Portugal

To Rosa, Frankfurt: Once "arguido" you have a right to hire a lawyer and a right not to answer. Just like in Germany. The lawyer probably told her not to answer anything. I wouldn't answer either. It's wise.

Dany, Munich, Germany

It seems pretty improbable that the McCanns killed their child and have just been keeping up a fascade this whole time... no one's THAT good at pulling the wool over million's eyes'.

Elizabeth, Dallas, United States

Sezzie Brooker, Warwick, I don't beleive what you are saying. Can You please write here the day and the year when this situation occured? And please tell the complete story where was your son anyway? where did you find him? Was he still on the beach? You know why I'm asking you this? Cause I think this is one more snobish english fantasy to create the caos. Another thing, 'friend of McCann's said' What? Why do they have to defend themselves so much they are only arguidos! you can be an arguido and never be a suspect! It only means that your attitudes towards an investigation process need to be clarified. What basic things do I have to say more...well we are not latins but we have nothing against latins so we dont care if you call as like that (we are not xenophobic...). Another thing, there are more blonde girls in Algarve than African girls so i dont se the point "rare blond girl". Finally, I just want to say that in my democracy a prime minister would never take a position.

Ana , Coimbra, Portugal

In response to Telma, Guildford : Doctors are first and foremost human beings, they do make mistakes too like lawyers, police, bankers etc. do too ! a professional scientist can be a little easy on his/her habits and lose track of objectivity like anobody else. When you deal with people's sanity or life you need to have your emotions at peace to be able to see things from a neutral distance that explains why in these fileds of work one often needs to be supervised no matter how expert he/she is !

Paul S., Paris,

"Put up or shut up", the McCanns tell the Portuguese investigators. This tragic story happened on Portuguese
soil, so their local police are the ones called on to solve the
case. And they'll " certainly put up" when they know the time is right, the McCanns liking it or not.

lena, vienna, austria

i think the mccanns didnt murder their child and its terrible to even think of accusing a mother of killing their child why would she of set up a party for going back if she was going to murder her child ................................ its just rather depressing some one would suggest that

laura , amble, morpeth

the only person to benefit from the mcann story is gordon brown loaning them a cabinet office pressman letting 30 police from the uk get involved and nothing but mcanns on the front pages and tv news keeping all the bad news from iraq the eu from being dicussed

d jones, stafford, england

I think the McCann's friends who were at the Villa should be questioned --all of them. To me, it seems likely that one of them know the abductor or is the abductor. Whoever knew the McCanns were going to leave their children in the hotel room by themselves is suspect.

Ellie, Texas/ USA,

Yasmin, from what is "reported" we know this.. the British police are only able to assist when invited they have no juristiction and this has been constantly refused including scotland yard. The forensics were collected by the PJ not the British police. The investigation has been regulary critised by experts, this is why some doubt them.

Sherry, Northants, UK

I think that overdosing sedatives is completely out of question. Gerry is paediatrician, Kate was trained initially as anesthesiologist. My parents are in the same profession. I actually asked whether it's possible to overdose your own child and they said that almost impossible. They are doctors, not amateurs.

Telma, Guildford, Surrey

For those rather unsympathetic comments, please read India Knight's excellent article in the Sunday Times 16th September. The less comment made about this dreadful situation by the uninformed public, the better in my view.

Victoria Lee, Bursa, Turkey

I can not understand how people still blame the McCanns for their daughter disappearance. Their mistake was obviously leaving their kids alone in that room that night, and for sure they have alreay paid for this mistake.
It must be very hard not knowing where Maddie is, not knowing if she is still alive and having to be concerned about proving that they have not done any harm to their child.
People are also judging them for trying to prove their innocence to the public. They are right to do it, it must be hard to have their names on the news blamed for something they did not do.
I really wish they find the person who is with Madeleine and I really hope she is safe and well.
God bless this family

Adriana Campos, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Emily from Canada:
There is no such thing as a reputable psychic! Most are charlatans, and those that are not are simply self-delusional. Nobody, anywhere, at any time, has ever received information from a "psychic" that was more than an informed or lucky guess. Check it out - there have been tests made and nobody has ever passed them. Anybody that could, could claim the million dollar prize from the JREF organisation.

Rosemary Roberts, Germany,

This poor poor poor couple just want their beautiful little girl back and have moved heaven and earth to do it. Leave them alone...

JP, Essex, UK

The media experts have certainly earned their high fees this week.

PM Boreham Wood , Boreham Wood , Herts

Patric, your comments are astonishing. Firstly, the McCann's have not launched a media campaign to further their own purposes (like many celebritites etc.) - they launched the campaign to help recover their abducted daughter, in the face of a hapless police investigation - any parent would wish that they could be as effective in the hunt for a missing child.

Secondly, they did not pay for the private jet to Rome from the Madeleine Fund - it was loaned to them by Sir Philip Green (see, eg, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6701819.stm).

Get your facts straight before criticising ...

L Singer, London, UK

in response to emily leduc : because psychics area a bunch of intuitive people who cannot prove anything !

Paul S., Paris,

To paivi in finland, Malta too has blondes, but the locals are still attracted to blond foreign children! that is no argument...
to Maria in UK: just because rubbish is collected daily, doesn't mean you can't take a bag of nappies/food waste to the dump. You just don't know!! What I do know is that the Portuguese police are following up ideas which should have been checked out those vital first few days- checking bins, scouring neighbouring apartments for forensics, taking up any offer of help from foreign forces...Why not?? Instead, we have this long drawn out drama and WHOEVER did it is still scot free.

Louise , guildford , UK

I have lots of sympathy for the parents. However if you make use of the media to help your cause – don’t be surprised if they do digging when the suspicion falls on you.
I also thought taking a private jet to visit the pope was in rather poor taste.
If people are contributing to help them stay in Portugal – rather excessive to splash $$$ on a private plane

Patric, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Isn't it easy to start a witch hunt? Horrifying!

leila, manchester, uk

I think the McCanns should put up or shut up!

Answering the police's questions could be a start.

Brenda, Poole, Dorset,

This is my response to Caro in London,

Talking about intelligence, I don't know where yours is. I was of course referring to the 40 questions put to Mrs McCann by the portuguese police which she didn't wanto to answer. What do you have to say to this?
Rosa, Germany

Rosa, frankfurt, Germany

Who do their privacy laws really suit? Corrupt officials or innocent victims?
Birmingham 6 anyone?

Graeme, Warrington,

From an early stage in this investigation I have sensed an undertone of irritation towards Kate and Gerry McCann. The couple have allowed an impression to arise that they and their advisers are marketing their own tragedy. Where we would have expected to see parents distracted and disorganised by grief, we have seen a professionally run campaign to find out what the media want, and give it to them. This has been done for a most defensible reason: to enlist the entire European public as amateur detectives in the search for Madeleine. But now her parents have ended up looking like film stars in a Hollywood weepy. Do those who have contrived this, or the couple themselves, have any inkling of the damage that professional marketing has done to this family’s image?

michael pickles, bournemouth, england

Portuguese police waited much too long before making forensic tests. They also neglected to focus on both the McCanns much earlier during the investigation. Now it's all up to speculations.

Cort-Oliver Rieso, Bückeburg, Germany

We shouldn't forget that Madeleine is the McCanns daughter. The Portuguese police are not the collective parents of this missing girl. Hence, repeated fibble attempts at lampooning the Portuguese police are misplaced at best and myopic at worst. What do the police have to lose if Madeleine isn't found? Zilch!

Gilbert, Swindon, UK

British kids, (and adults for that matter) usually have their evening meal early, at around 6pm. Its just a cultural difference. Of course parents would try to stick to the childrens' usual routine as far as possible.

Also, Kates reported comment of "they've taken her" is quite a normal response equivalent in english to - she has been taken. I can't understand why so much seems to have been made of this exclamation.

MMG, Malta , Europe

michele, malta,

"Blonde, pretty little girls visiting Latin countries get a lot of attention... "

Well, Portugal is hardly a latin country...but a civilised and developed Europian country with modern society. FYI: they have blonds there too...

"Why are the McCanns now so eager to answer questions they didn't want to answer in Portugal? Now they seem to have very "innocent explanations" for everything. "

They've been said to refuse to answer PJ's questions and that's why they won't interview them again in UK, Yes, McCanns have explanations for everything, but happily it's not any PR campaign or media spin that judges you guilty or innocent.

"We can't forget that Scotland Yard , British detectives and English Forensic Laboratories are working in partnership with the Portuguese Police who, I believe, are doing a good job. "

For some reason the world seems to forget this vital fact. How can people be sure of their innocense when the world's leading investigation institutes can not?

Paivi, Helsinki, Finland, Europe

This is not the first kid missing. I'm pretty sure that there is more

cristina, Male', Maldives

to answer you: k ball, sale, cheshire

The refuse collection in Portugal and Spain is better than in England. They collect every single night. While in the UK is every 15 days. Besides they were staying in a luxiourious place, I doubt very much that they did not have containers near by. I know that area and I come from the South of Spain. You are talking rubbish!

Maria, northampton, uk

First a question. Is it normal on holiday to get children ready for bed soon after six ? Would they sleep at that time ?
In my experience children in Portugal go to bed in summer after 10. You can see why the police think it is odd that the children were asleep between 7 and 8.

steve, vigo, spain

Re Alan's comment about the road works -- the ditches that were dug were something like a foot in diameter and nine inches deep, not nearly enough to hide a body in or to fall into. That was yet another media red herring.

ben , Moscow,

He's certain! now that an intruder was in the room one hour before he checked?! wonder if he was wearing a nappy

Martin, Shrewsbury, England

God Bless the McCann's in this difficult time. We will continue to pray that Maddie is found alive and returned to them soon. May the God of hope fill them with all joy and peace as they trust in him. He is the God of miracles.

Cheryl, Loughborough,

There seems to be a disturbing tendancy in Britain for people to develope a tribal, sectarian, attitude to the McCanns. One is either for or against them! Its almost like one is choosing sides in football match. Go team McCann! Kate and Gerry - what a brand!

I wonder about the wisdom of turning themselves into a 'brand' in this type of situation. It's almost as if they regard this whole ghastly affair as a potential career opportunity.

Personally I don't believe there is evidence that Madeleine was abducted by an opportunistic paedophile. Is there any hard, physical evidence to support this particular theory? If she wasn't abducted what happened to her? Who made her disappear? Where is she really?

michael krug, Denmark,

re Rosa in Germany. Why are you not more intelligent? Can you not read?
The McCanns were unable to answer questions, in public, in Portugal under the law in that country.

They have been abused, villified, and will be proved to be innocent. Thank God for men like Richard Branson and others who can provide financial help.
100% on their side.

caro, London, UK

We keep hearing about the fact that the roads around the complex where being dug up and replaced. Are these going to be excavated? The poor girl could have wondered off and fallen into a ditch or more sinister a person could have dumped the body. Surely at this stage it is worth investigating

Alan Davies, Birmingham,

What with hard-wired, two-dimensional cops and problems arising from working between two languages, sounds like a lot was lost in translation, or interpreting if you prefer. The Porto Keystones are looking at meltdown. Were I Minister of Justice, I would be looking to make some far reaching procedural changes.

Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Nagano

Well, looks like everythings been sorted in this case...er one things missing... er... MADELEINE

John Dedman, Eltham, England

Typical and sad. Dont trust anyone with your children, simply dont trust anyone not even the police, justice system, dont trust anyone - period!!

Virginia, Brisbane, Australia

All are to be anwsered for!

Sun Guo-li , chengde, the PRC

Blonde, pretty little girls visiting Latin countries get a lot of attention from very kind and perhaps sometimes not so kind local people.

Some years ago my family including my 5 year old blonde, pretty little daughter, went on a 6 week trip to several countries in South America (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia). The kind attention my daughter received was overwhelming, starting right at the airport where customs official seeing our "blonde" waved us right through the check point, no questions asked. In Buenos Aires, people stopped us to ask our permission to give our daughter money or candy. I know it was an expression of kindness and friendliness.

How did I react to all this. I felt very protective toward my daughter, I constantly held her by her hand, I accompanied her to the restroom (which was somewhat of a challenge.) I never left her out of my eyes.

She is 33 now and I guess I am still very protective of her. So, what am I trying to say here? Any idea?

Karl Rudolf, Houston, Texas

Emily from Canada,
Great idea. Why don't we ask Russel Grant?

Karl Teviotdale, Edinburgh,

here is a solution that i have not seen in any of the articles.
why dont the portugese and british police departments hire a couple of reputable psychics. there are many psychics who work with police departments around this planet helping them to solve cases. this would give the answers that everyone is looking for and end this debacle of he said she said.mia dolan in england is one of the best psychics around. sylvia browne and her son chris are just a few. hope someone on the police departments sees my comments.ty

emily, leduc, canada

I fully agree with the comments of Brendan, Gloucester UK; Marie Glasgow ; Asta from Hamburg and from Diana, Sg. Together they summarize my thoughts and feelings about the Madeleine disappearance case. We can't forget that Scotland Yard , British detectives and English Forensic Laboratories are working in partnership with the Portuguese Police who, I believe, are doing a good job.
There is no doubt that there is a great effort from the Mcanns to prove their innocence, even before they are accused. I am shocked by the fundraising for their campaign and the hiring of high profile lawyers.
We all hope that justice will be served.

Lucy, Toronto,Ontario, Canada

I sympathize with the McCann's - and certainly pray that Madeleine is found alive and well, but I also pray that if the parents are guilty this will soon be discovered and without loopholes.

magid, Houston, TX

Why are the McCanns now so eager to answer questions they didn't want to answer in Portugal? Now they seem to have very "innocent explanations" for everything. Their behaviour is really very strange and for me not quite what I would expect from innocent people.

Rosa, frankfurt, Germany

I guess it depends on the questions and how they are worded.

Most police questions assume guilt and are worded as such.

"Explain how did the DNA get into the car?" Your answer might be that you cannot answer that question. It isn't guilt. In fact an innocent person would be unable to answer many of the questions.

Plus, the questions may assume Madelaine is dead. The police don't know that. But may be asking leading questions based on that.

Plus, innocent people often get very upset at being asked these questions and furthermore, if the McCann's did not kill Madelain, it would be incredibly frustrating to see them wasting time interviewing them as murder suspects when Madelaine is still missing.

It is too easy for us, in the comfort of home or office and not suffering through this situation to say that should they not or could not answer a question it is a sign of guilt.

Paul, Toronto, Canada

Amanda, Wellington, NZ Amanda, because they moved from the apartment to a villa some distance away.One normally stows belongings into one's car when moving. Nothing suspicious about that. Are you suggesting they should have left them behind or thrown them out? Under the current climate of innuendo and suspicion this doubtless would be construed as "disposing of the evidence"
Poor McCann's, they are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

Rosy Frier, Vancouver BC, Canada/UK

Just a remark : The Portuguese Police is working alongside with The SCOTLAND YARD on the investigation, the British Forensic Laboratories are
responsable for the forensic evidences...So why you the English people are talking all the time about the Portuguese Police team and not about your own Police team ??
Come on...

Yasmin, Campinas, Brazil

I believe the McCanns to be innocent of anything sinister in relation to the disappearance of their daughter. However it is important they continue to win the battle of public sentiment via the media. I fail to see how associating with legal representatives of Sean Hoey, highly suspected of being involved in the Omagh tragedy aids their case

Jim, Belfast, Norhtern Ireland

Such a terrible tradgedy. Someone, somewhere knows thw fate of Madeleine. I can't imagine the parents doing any harm to their daughter.They are both educated people. I agree, the children
n should not have been left alone, but this is a mistake the McCanns will always regret and will never forgive themsleves - so the public should remember this..
Pat Cowie, Hemyock, Devon

Patricia Cowie, Hemyock, Devon

Why would they put dirty nappies in the car to take them to the new villa? Surely they would have simply thrown them away.

Julie mansfield, Amersham, UK

I would not rely on the statements of the friends of the Mc Canns, they were all drinking lots of wine.

Helen James, Sydney, Australia

Was the tide out WHERE? Cledarly the lights are on in Lancing, but there's nobody home.

Ernie, London, UK

I and many others can see the gigantic flaws in the case against the McCanns even though we are hundreds of miles away and being fed only the juiciest titbits. Surely Police and lawyers can see how utterly nonsensical it all is? One hardly needs to be Perry Mason to drive a coach and horses through the absurd theories that have been advanced. What an appalling waste of time. What chance is there of ever finding out what really happened now?

Paul Owen, Birmingham, UK

what a nightmare for the mccans,yes some thing has gone wrong in the search for maddie ,but they are not to blame .these people are showing nothing but care and greif .but police must look at other things go back to the people that joined them for dinner .there are 2 people there that know more .you can see it on there face ,every one has to be interigated ,buildings have to be pulled down ,sites have to be dug up .friends have to be put under lie detectin . they will find this child .maybe not alive ,but then this world of cruel people will bow there head in shame .my heart goes out to them the search is not over eyes give people away .look into those eyes kate that you thought you could trust .
take care ..anne australia

anne smith , bundaberg , qld

Two highly educated doctors carried old, soiled nappies - seemingly unwrapped - with them when they moved house??

Get away!

JW, Eaton Bray, Beds

In response to this the Portuguese do not have the same refuse collection system as we do. Every day you have to take the day's refuse from your villa down to the lichu (big bins that are on the roadside) so all nappies, any rubbish at all will have been carried in the boot of the car every day.

I know from experience that the roads are bumpy and things do spill out and make a mess inside the boot.

k ball, sale, cheshire

Who is this mystery man who "was seen carrying a girl in pink and white pyjama.."?Going eastward or northward,yet the "two men talking "never saw this mystery man.The Mc Canns friends are not sure what they have sauid so far when questioned by Portugese police.
Everything is like a puzzle.
Why did the Mc Canns wnet to the church,"to cmake a confession"?This is a mystery.
The Mc Canns met the pet animal cremator????What did the police get from this man?
Another mystery: No one seems to know what has actually happened to little Madeleine.
Let the police do their work.
HM

Henry Masson, London , UK

I agree that we should not condemn anyone in this case until we have real evidence about what happened to Madeleine and maybe we never will know the truth.I admit to finding this case fascinating which I know is slightly voyeuristic, but I am trying to fit together the pieces of the puzzle and I'm sure I'm not alone.Sadly,in this process the tragedy of Maddie's disappearance takes a back seat..

Rachel Huguenin, Thun, Switzerland

Why does the fact the police interviewed this man, means that they are turning 180 again, and believing she has been abducted? Disinformation...

T. Gordon, London,

It is absolutely right for this case to be openly publicized (1) it keeps Madeleine's disappearance fresh in the minds of everyone travelling abroad (2) it helps to highlight the case of all missing or snatched children (3) it may help to improve the way in which police react to and investigate such cases and (4) it helps to see justice done.

SK, Eastbourne, East Sussex

I dont know what happened. But playing out the attack and defence in public seems wrong. Not because it changes the events of the day, but because the sheer flood of beliefs as opposed to actual happenings can effect everyone involved and dilute the actual evidence on the day it is presented in court. The less that is leaked the better. All the dna claims and defences all played out in public are confusing and emmotive. It is compelling reading but is making a circus out of a serious situation that affects many peoples lives.

aregan, sheffield, uk

I sincerely hope that this comes to a swift end. I for one have never doubted the parents. With all the press on their heels (and the British press is very thourough), how could they have dumped a child with a hired car 25 days after the disappearance. Where would they have hidden the child's body for so long in the Portugese heat without being found out by investigators and sniffer dogs. Time to start a support campaign for Kate and Gerry. Best of luck for the future since the recent past was (is) like hell.

Eiem Goelen, Belgium,

It is very foolish and destructive to use this tragedy as an opportunity to condemn one culture or the other. Hating only adds to the pain.

SUSAN WELBY-BENNETT, Burbank,

from the point of view of someone who has faith in the innocence of the mccanns, the prosecutors comments provide a fresh, objective and grounded view on the case against them.

david , london,

garth r a wiseman, london, england said :
"It would seem that the UK and its citizens are unwise to treat some other EU member countries as equals when their social/political/legal/constitutional development are not as advanced as the UK's. After all Portugal was a Dictatoraship until a few decades ago."

You don't say...
Have you ever lived in Portugal? How much do you know about Portugal besides that it has a lot of sunshine and cheap booze? Have you ever studied Portugal's social/political/legal/constitutional development or are you just echoing what you read on the UK tabloids? Think about it.

Ana, Braga, Portugal

No one in Portugal tells or writes his full name, as you apparently imagine. It's wierd and useless to say: "Judge Pedro Daniel dos Anjos Frias". It is perfectly enough "Judge Pedro Frias".

Ze Barreto, Lisboa, Portugal

I still think they should have a lie detector test. They're 98% accurate which is more than you can say about100% of the criminal justice systems in the world.

Ivor Griffiths, Lancaster, UK

Annie, unfortunatly the portugese police do not have the best rep.in the world. If my child went missing, i am pretty sure i would prefer German, skandinavian or even english police on the case over portugese or spanish police - both countries are not known for there efficencey.

Klaus, Brussels,

I really don´t know if they are guilty or not guilty. What I do know is that the Portuguese police and also the Pertuguese people are being badly treated by the British. And I'd like to know why ... Do we deserve all this? Haven't we had enough?

Alice, Porto, Portugal

My family have first hand experience of the Portugese police methods. Our 4 year old son went missing on a busy beach. We all obvioucly searched right away. When he wasnt found within an hour we called the police, they took over 90 mins to get there and the first thing they did was to go into the beach bar for a cool drink, then change into beach shoes. We were asked if we had a photo of him, obviously not, we had just come to the beach for a swim and to make sandcastles. We were told that the Portugese love children and that no one would harm him. They then wanted to take details of when we had flown into the country, how long we were going to stay and on and on. By now over another hour had gone by and they had not even started a search. My husband refused to deal with them any longer and started walking and walking until he actually reach the next town, almost 5 miles away, the sun was setting when we found our son. The police had left to go to town to file a report!!!!!

Sezzie Brooker, Warwick, UK

The Renault Scenic car they rented can have all of its rear seats removed to create more luggage space like when you are moving a load of stuff from one villa to another. Nothing sinister about that is there?

Speaking as the parent of two small children it is surprising how often we have carried dirty nappies in the boot after a day out. Think about it: you have to move because the rented villa you are in is needed by another family so you chuck everything in. Babies don't wait for a convenient moment before soiling their nappies and sometimes you just have to chuck it in the boot and dispose of it properly later. It's not implausible.

LCN DNA fingerprinting depends on massively magnifying tiny amounts of DNA. It works, but is very sensitive to contamination. Also, while a person's DNA fingerprint is inevitably highly similar to close relatives, such as mother, father, brother and sister.

The evidence presented (well leaked to assorted tabloids) is far from compelling.

Stu, London,

I wasn't aware that anyone had been charged yet and I thought the Portuguese police , assisted by 30 of our own officers was simply continuing its investigations.

Why then the need for a PR campaign , spin doctors and the best most expensive high profile lawyers to rebut speculation in the media? Sounds like a bit of Blairite spinning.

If there is nothing to hide and the evidence will not stand up to even the most simplistic of interrogation as is claimed it all seems somewhat of an overreaction.

Why not just answer all the questions the English police are to put and keep a low profile. Unless............

Bob Green, Essex, England

Does the Portuguese legal system not include a presumption of innocence? An obligation for the prosecutors to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt? Or are the persecuted to prove that they are, indeed, innocent?

I believe the McCanns to be without guilt. They have my undiminished support and sincere wishes that their hounding ends soon and their daughter is found safe and well before too long.

Tom Read, Colchester,

It was the McCanns who made this case worldwide news with their tour of Europe, audience with the Pope, and Gerry's trip to the US. Now that they are suspects, nationalism and jingoism have reared their ugly heads. As a retired attorney, the last place I wanted to try a case was in the media and in the Court of Public Opinion. To their discredit, the McCanns have brought all the attention to themselves, complete with publicity spokespersons. It's hard to put that toothpaste back in the tube. Viewing this case from across the pond I hold no opinion as to their involvement in Maddie's death. The authorities should be allowed to do their job in both Portugal and the UK without being second guessed at every turn and, if that day comes, the facts will come out in open court so that the due process of law may take its course.

John McCloud, Canton, Georgia, US

It is simplistic to assume that if you are innocent you do nothing to protect yourself from such attacks. When someone makes the kind of accusations the mccanns are being exposed to of course you look for the best possible defense you can get - especially when if involves foreign forces and laws which are alien to your background. I can't believe people are so naive..maybe they need to be in the situation to really understand. Has there never been a case of misjustice in the UK?? Grow up people and keep praying and looking for Madeleine, incase the Portuguese Police have got it wrong this time!!

Louise , guildford , UK

it's a reasonable tactical move of portuguese police to drop "facts" about the case and try to see what is reaction of parents.

Joachim, Karlsruhe, Germany

Why they did not answer all the questions if they are so innocent as they say???
Do you believe that the Portuguese Police are not so good as other polices in the world?
Why they didn't thank all the support given by the portuguese people when they left the country?
Why they haven't a simple word to the portuguese people saying why they left? From north to south everyall had look and are looking for madeleine, and their parents didn't had a simple word!!! Why? WHY?

annie, Lisbon, Portugal

In response to Marie from Glasgow perhaps if the Portugese Police did not continually leak unsubstantiated evidence to the local media then I believe the McCanns would let the investigation run it's course. In response to Amanda from Wellington; the reason they were carrying their dead/missing child's sandals and clothing in the car was to move from one rented Villa to another. Do you suggest that they throw these items away and then be open to the accusation of disposing of evidence.

Matthew, Glasgow, Scotland

Most people seem to think that if you're innocent you've got nothing to worry about. The opposite is true!!!

Estella, The Hague,

the law and justice are distant cousins who hardly ever speak.this is no better exemplified than in the mcanns choice of legal cover. a man who represented a fascist dictator and mass murderer will hardly endear them to those who,like myself, are now starting to have doubts.i have believed for along time that they have a case to answer.

william king, dumbarton, scotland

Portugal is not a third world country but it is increasingly looking like a second world rather than a first world country. It would seem that the UK and its citizens are unwise to treat some other EU member countries as equals when their social/political/legal/constitutional development are not as advanced as the UK's. After all Portugal was a Dictatoraship until a few decades ago.

garth r a wiseman, london, england

To JW of Bedfordshire, not that I wish to nit pick over the details of this sad story, but they could have been using terry nappies and not disposables?

abh, London , UK

Goodbye Portugals's tourism industry.

John, London,

Question 1 of 40: Is this your minkey?

Tim, London, England

It is amazing to see how the McCanns and their PR-Team do anything to make the public believe in their innocence . For anybody else it is sufficient to explain matters to your lawyer, to the judge and to the police.

Asta, Hamburg, Germany

Asta,

perhaps "anybody else" would not have to deal with the lies and disinformation there is surrounding this case.

Liz, London,

Whatever happened about the boat that was reported leaving the marina the night of Madelaine's disappearance, having been moored there for several weeks before?

Andrew Gallant, Leicester, Leics

The world has moved on, and left theMcGann"s with their world,guilty or not guilty the audience have made up their minds, nobody listening to a sad end to the drama called madeleine.Like all lives the truth is between the parents of madeleine and their god.

michael joseph heavey, cahersiveen>adams towns, madness

I can't believe people believe even for a second that Gerry and Kate were involved with their daughters disapearence. I think its time everyone focused on finding that poor little girl rather than pointing the finger at her parents.

Ceri, Solihull,

At the end of the day, I have no opinion as to whether they're innocent or guilty, But it's not that that bothers me, it's the fact that although they've been through a HORRIBLE thing that I wouldn't wish on anybody.. there are THOUSANDS of parents in the same boat, but none of them had £2m donated to them and became basically Z-List Celebrities out of it!

The media have made this whole thing FAR too much.. can anybody name another child under the age of ten who's gone missing in the past 12 months?

Ryan Brailsford, Bolton, Lancs

What are the parents doing carrying their dead/missing child's sandals and clothing around in the boot of the car for? Equally as worrying as condemning those without fair hearing is the deification of those who do not meet our criteria for deceptive parents. Most children are kidnapped, accidentally killed or murdered by parents, family members or someone they know.Looking the part, or not, of an offender has nothing to do with justice.Let's see how all of the evidence stacks up if/when the case goes to trial.

Amanda, Wellington, New Zealand

I think that the whole thing is outragious the way they are treating madeliene's parents isn't right. The law states that you are innocent until proven guilty, i'm not saying that they are innnocent but they should be treated with a bit of respect.

jamie mcaulay, keighley, england

Why need such high profile defenders if your story is true?
Why the fear of further questions, which they refused to answer? Why the need to invent defence arguments if you are innocent?

steve wilikin, London, Uk

Lets not forget that we have had a team of Scotland Yard detectives working alongside the Portugese Police throughout the investigation and they have been assisting the Portugese and monitoring the investigations. Lets not forget either that the forensic evidence has been discovered and proven by British forensic science laboratories.Planting of evidence may be common in the USA MichelleH but here in Europe we have no need of it.

Brendan, Gloucester, UK

Discrediting valid police lines of enquiry might just prove to be an obstacle in finding the "missing child". Why not just let the police get on with their rather difficult job, & go through the proper channels to conduct a dignified defence instead of this constant briefing of the press & media, interviews & explaining away evidence? Methinks they doth protest too much.

marie, glasgow, Scotland

It is amazing to see how the McCanns and their PR-Team do anything to make the public believe in their innocence . For anybody else it is sufficient to explain matters to your lawyer, to the judge and to the police.

Asta, Hamburg, Germany

Were the employees at the resort all interviewed? They would be familiar with the villas and the surrounding areas.

D. Brodie, San Mateo, California USA

good luck

marco, london, england

If someone is innocent, then they would have no problem answering any questions no matter how difficult they might be. If the McCanns are innocent they will do this.

Diana, sg,

The Pink Panther arrives in the UK the headlines should proclaim. Why can't they fax their questions & stay back in Portugal to do the "complete search of the area" they still haven't done?? Certainly planting more evidence here & there should be keeping them plenty busy back at home....

MichelleH, Ft. Lauderdale, US

Was the tide out when Madeleine was reported missing or was it an hour or two before?

Clive Burghard, LANCING, ENGLAND