So what actual searching was there?

[Angelo222]

Viable options which were investigated as was appropriate at the time.  How on earth the initial investigation allowed itself to become bogged down in the 'accidental death, with later hiding of the corpse' thesis is one of the mysteries of Madeleine McCann's case.
There was not one shred of evidence to support pursuing it and only bizarre, convoluted scenarios as to how Madeleine's body was dealt with had to be invented, not one of which was remotely possible to keep the fantasy alive.

No mystery at all Brietta.  Had the parents of the missing kid cooperated fully with the initial enquiry then the investigation would have proceeded and ruled them out hopefully.  But they didn't cooperate and set about a campaign to undermine and discredit the Portuguese police.  The Metodo 3/Correia conspiracy, the refusal to take part in a police reconstruction, the authoring of a book miscalling several police officers all evidence this fact.  The McCanns did everything in their power to thwart the initial investigation because it didn't suit them.

[Alice Purjorick]

I don't understand what you are getting at.  How does one normally conduct a cold case investigation?  Everything without exception is looked at  ... that is the whole point and the only way to identify what has been missed that may be relevant.

Presactly.
That much we are agreed on then. Nothing is ruled out or in until the investigation is completed; which it isn't unless I miss my guess.

[stephen25000]

no I've had some wet paint that needs watching

How appropriate.

[Angelo222]

What embarrassment would be caused and to who?  If the government is instructing the Met to pursue abduction to the exclusion of all else, and not to investigate the parents in case they are embarrassed by the findings then that is a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, and a cover up.

...or the blind leading the blind 

[Angelo222]

What utter nonsense.  "Sold a pup"?  Who by?  You think if the McCanns were arrested and charged and subsequently found guilty for doing away with their child that the government would be embarrassed?  Why ever so?  More or less embarrassed than the investigation into the phone hacking scandal, which resulted in David Cameron's media man going to prison?

'Doing away' as you put it is a new one on me Alf, have SY considered that another option?

[Alice Purjorick]

Have the McCanns even been re-interviewed by the second enquiry?

Or any of their friends?

It would be daft to assume they will not be. But whether they have yet is unknown except to the protagonists, I would suggest.

[Angelo222]

It would be daft to assume they will not be. But whether they have yet is unknown except to the protagonists, I would suggest.

I can just see the headlines... "Scotland Yard investigate McCanns" followed by Clarrie doing his denial thingy.

[Alfred R Jones]

'Doing away' as you put it is a new one on me Alf, have SY considered that another option?

You are deflecting.  I think you know what I meant by doing away, but in case you didn't I meant "hiding the body".  Now perhaps you can address the point.  Or perhaps not.

[Alfred R Jones]

...or the blind leading the blind 

So the Government are blind, and so are the Met - is that your view?  Clueless and stupid, unlike the mighty PJ and the Portuguese government no doubt!

[faithlilly]

I think anyone who thinks Redwood had any choice but to respond in the negative  to a question  about the McCanns status within the investigation is naive at best. Even a ' no comment' would fuel speculation and may have given grounds for appeal if a conviction was secured against them in the future.

[Alfred R Jones]

I think anyone who thinks Redwood had any choice but to respond in the negative  to a question  about the McCanns status within the investigation is naive at best. Even a ' no comment' would fuel speculation and may have given grounds for appeal if a conviction was secured against them in the future.

What lunacy is this?  You seem to be suggesting that when the police announce a suspect by name, that this gives the suspect grounds for appeal against a later conviction.  Is that actually what you are suggesting?!

[Alfred R Jones]

Anyone who believes that Redwood was put on the spot live on TV by a shrewd journalist and didn't have full control over what was and wasn't reported about the case is naïve at best, and that's putting it politely.

[faithlilly]

What lunacy is this?  You seem to be suggesting that when the police announce a suspect by name, that this gives the suspect grounds for appeal against a later conviction.  Is that actually what you are suggesting?!

Unless a suspect is being sought, can you name a time when an  individual has been named before they are charged ?

[Alfred R Jones]

Unless a suspect is being sought, can you name a time when an  individual has been named before they are charged ?

Erm....how about the mastermind behind the Paris attacks for one?  I have a million other examples if you want them.

[faithlilly]

Erm....how about the mastermind behind the Paris attacks for one?  I have a million other examples if you want them.

Wasn't he being sought by the police ?