I think they can be confident, SH, that few if any will ever ask them to explain what they have done and why, and we have no freedom of information laws to assist members of the public or press to find out. That just doesn't happen in this country does it.
They have apparently used the same system they used in the Dando investigation more or less and they never explained why and where that investigation went wrong (campaigners for Barry George were convinced many suspects were never investigated at all). They had a review of that investigation and never explained what that showed either. They just don't have to in England do they.
There's no transparency at all unless Parliament requests it, and they rarely do.
I am sure this could be right, Lyall. I am still young (-ish) and innocent (according to certain definitions) and find it hard to believe that the government and SY are going to dance to other people's tunes. Ultimately we don't know what is going on behind closed doors and should remember the fact.
SY fell short with the Dando case, certainly, though the Madeleine case is much, much bigger. It has been vastly more expensive and still has no discernible end in sight. A different era, somewhat, than the Dando - time flies - with more public awareness and involvement, and a greater demand from the public for accountability perhaps?
You mention confidence, but how confident can any organisation be, in today's world, that what they would rather keep hidden will never be revealed?
A much too risky strategy that would only be embarked upon for reasons of far greater proportions than protecting the interests of one couple.
If this investigation, or the Madeleine case as a whole, involves individuals or matters of state - which it may do - of profound consequence; if it is a powder keg under which a Profumo-like element rests, one could see the need for government fear and trembling, and for damage -limitation at all costs.
But to dance to the McCanns' tune for no real reason at all?