The situation Kate and Gerry found themselves facing in Portugal to disseminate information and to issue public appeals was far different to what happens when a child goes missing in Britain. Here the police take charge of everything acting as a barrier between media and relatives, in effect being press officers on their behalf.
I don't think I have seen any appeal for information in this country and most others which did not feature the attendance of uniformed police either making the appeal or in the background, supporting those who were.
Right from the initial stages and throughout an investigation a police presence appears to be an essential ingredient and even many years ago official press conferences were given by police supported relatives against a background of official local police badges.
Patrick Warren and David Spencer
Kate and Gerry did not receive that official police backup to publicise Madeleine and ask for public help. They had to do that for themselves. They had to put out publicity for Madeleine not against a backdrop featuring a police logo but one of the claim that they had called SKY NEWS before reporting Madeleine missing; and so their traducing began.
".... claim that they had called SKY NEWS before reporting Madeleine missing"
From what I can tell, was that Rachael called the media when she used the computer in the Moyes residence.
Part of the purpose of doing the re-enactment was to discover who of the Tapas 9 called the media, and it was Rachael who bluntly refused to attend. Once I noticed this triangle of factoids I wondered if they were connected and Rachael feared being made arguido if she returned.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/RE_ENACTMENT.htm"2x Suxxxxxxxx Gaxxxxx
London
SW xx 8xx
Date 23rd May 2008
Maria Luisa Nascimento Duarte
Ministerio Publico de Portimao
Av. Miguel Bombarda
Palacio da Justica
no 2 Piso
8501-960 Portimao
Reference : 3951283
Dear Sir,
I write with reference to the Notification dated 9th May 2008, which I received on Saturday 17th May 2008.
I am hereby informing you that I will not be attending the proposed Reconstruction in Portugal on 29th and 30th May 2008. I have reached this decision after considering advice from our Lawyers.
Yours faithfully,
Rachael Marimma Jean Mampilly.