Either Leicestershire Police gave the wrong impression to the family and to the Portuguese Police or their behaviour was misunderstood. We know that Goncalo Amaral had his doubts about Stuart Prior and kept information away from him. Kate McCann makes it clear that the only reason Leicestershire Police seem to have given them previously for withholding information was 'their hands were tied'. She is very upset with the Assistant Chief Constable 'who had been out to Portugal and seen us at our most grief-stricken' but still told the Court there was 'no clear evidence to eliminate them'
As far as the McCanns were concerned then, the disclosure order 'would be seen by the police, who were always telling us their hands were tied, as a way of helping us without upsetting their Portuguese counterparts'.
The McCanns clearly had the impression that Leicester Police were 'on their side'.
Having had dealings with a Family Liaison Officer myself it's very easy to misconstrue their stance unless you understand their role, which is;
Gather material from the family in a manner which contributes to the investigation;
Inform, and facilitate care and support for, the family, who are themselves victims, in a sensitive and compassionate manner in accordance with the needs of the investigation;
Gain the confidence and trust of the family, thereby enhancing their contribution to the investigation
http://www.healthtalk.org/peoples-experiences/dying-bereavement/bereavement-due-traumatic-death/police-family-liaison-officers-The Liaison officer is part of the investigation and will pass on information gained during contact with the family if they think it's relevant. In the Shannon Matthews case it was the Liaison Officer who worked out that something was wrong with the mothers behaviour. All the Leicestershire Liaison officers reported no strange behaviour by the family in their statements but Ricardo Paiva did. Why there was this difference in opinion we don't know.
