I would have walked out if I was, Misty. The source for CM never having spoken directly with GB, is CM.
I find the CM remark a little ambiguous. He must have had some personal contact with TB/GB prior to this case hitting the headlines (or what was all the fuss about Coulson & Cameron). I took it to mean he didn't have direct contact about this matter but as the below is "one of them there translated thingys" I'm just not sure.
http://www.mccannfiles.com/id255.htmlInvestigation may last a year Expresso (no online link)
It is in the experience of Clarence Mitchell that the McCanns put their trust to regain public opinion
Maria Barbosa
29 September 2007
Thanks to 'maya' for translation
*snipped*
A: Every time that a British subject has problems abroad Consular assistance is offered. As it was regarding a missing child and not the theft of documents, the help provided by the Consul of Portimão was greater. Since the case dominated the media, The Foreign Office, in London, thought of me because I had experience as a reporter and I knew key English people. It wasn't Tony Blair nor the present Prime minister, Gordon Brown, that sent me. I am not their spokesperson nor do I call them asking for advice.
Q: But you were responsible for the projection of the McCanns in the media at a world scale. The fact that you worked for the British Government facilitated this...
A: In Portugal there has been a wrong image created about me. I was the Director of the Government's Media Monitoring Unit. Their work, about 40 people, and their function is to control what gets printed in the press. Every morning I had a meeting with the Prime Minister's spokesperson at 10 Downing Street and we discussed any developments. I didn't get to speak to Gordon Brown directly. Everything that I have been able to do for the McCanns has been through my computer and my mobile.