UK Justice Forum 🇬🇧

Disappeared and Abducted Children and Young Adults => Madeleine McCann (3) disappeared from her parent's holiday apartment at Ocean Club, Praia da Luz, Portugal on 3 May 2007. No trace of her has ever been found. => Topic started by: blonk on October 17, 2014, 09:34:49 PM

Title: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: blonk on October 17, 2014, 09:34:49 PM
The petititon on the Prime Minister's website calling for an independent public enquiry into the conduct of all the official (Leics Police, Grange etc.) AND private (Metodo 3, Halligen etc.) investigations into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has now reached 1,057 signatures -

and in order to keep up the pressure for a proper enquiry into the truth about Madeleine's disappearance, please visit this link:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/69944

and add your name.

It's simple to do, will take no more than 2 minutes, and every extra name helps

PETITION

To set up an independent public enquiry into the conduct of the various investigations into the reported disappearance of Madeleine McCann

Responsible department: Home Office

Despite seven years of investigation, Madeleine’s disappearance remains a mystery. There are numerous concerns about the conduct of Leicestershire Police, Scotland Yard & government officials who became involved in the case. There are also major concerns about the investigation by Madeleine's Fund, a private company regulated by the Department of Business. The combined efforts of these organisations have yielded no answers about what really happened to her, nor who was responsible for her disappearance, nor where she might be.

The Leicestershire Police and Scotland Yard investigations have cost around £10 million so far. Madeleine’s Fund also spent millions of pounds on private detectives, mostly coming from the generous British public. The Portuguese Police and police forces around the world have also spent millions on various investigations and following up claimed 'sightings' of Madeleine. We need an independent public enquiry with the power to summon relevant witnesses.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Jean-Pierre on October 18, 2014, 07:50:03 AM
The petititon on the Prime Minister's website calling for an independent public enquiry into the conduct of all the official (Leics Police, Grange etc.) AND private (Metodo 3, Halligen etc.) investigations into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has now reached 1,057 signatures -

and in order to keep up the pressure for a proper enquiry into the truth about Madeleine's disappearance, please visit this link:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/69944

and add your name.

It's simple to do, will take no more than 2 minutes, and every extra name helps

Thank you Mr B.  Nice to see you here.   *&*%£
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Carana on October 18, 2014, 08:34:21 AM
Oh dear, another pointless petition from the Houndation. What exactly would this public inquiry achieve, aside from costing millions of tax-payers' money?
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: stephen25000 on October 18, 2014, 08:47:20 AM
Oh dear, another pointless petition from the Houndation. What exactly would this public inquiry achieve, aside from costing millions of tax-payers' money?

just as with the SY investigation then.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Carana on October 18, 2014, 09:01:53 AM
just as with the SY investigation then.

At least the Met investigation has a purpose: to try to find a missing child, or at least what happened to her, and to hopefully identify whoever is responsible.





Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Brietta on October 18, 2014, 09:45:20 AM
The organisers of petitions such as this are disgracefully transparent in their desperation to interfere with the progress of the investigation into Madeleine McCann’s case in any way they can.  Obviously they do not want any answers to what actually happened … I find their motives suspect indeed.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 18, 2014, 09:49:44 AM
The organisers of petitions such as this are disgracefully transparent in their desperation to interfere with the progress of the investigation into Madeleine McCann’s case in any way they can.  Obviously they do not want any answers to what actually happened … I find their motives suspect indeed.

No, they want answers as to what the British Authorities are hiding.

Because we know that they are hiding something.....

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/sep/01/british-police-competition-harmed-madeleine-mccann-investigation-home-office-report
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Brietta on October 18, 2014, 09:58:03 AM
People have been trying to impede the investigation into Madeleine McCann's case with any means at their disposal for over seven years.

I wonder at their motives for doing that.



Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 18, 2014, 10:02:28 AM
People have been trying to impede the investigation into Madeleine McCann's case with any means at their disposal for over seven years.

I wonder at their motives for doing that.

It's because we are all 'in on it' Brie.

The British Authorities impeded the investigation, ask them why they did that.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Carana on October 18, 2014, 10:05:45 AM
People have been trying to impede the investigation into Madeleine McCann's case with any means at their disposal for over seven years.

I wonder at their motives for doing that.

Well some quarters were all in favour of getting the PT investigation reopened (complete with the submission of non-missing pink blankets and other absurd "new evidence") ... until it actually was and discovered that the McCanns weren't suspects.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 18, 2014, 10:07:59 AM
Well some quarters were all in favour of getting the PT investigation reopened (complete with the submission of non-missing pink blankets and other absurd "new evidence") ... until it actually was and discovered that the McCanns weren't suspects.

Been completely ruled out now haven't they.

They just won't tell us how.

If they did that, the McCanns wouldn't get 'trolled'.

Surely that's in their best interests, why don't they just do that?
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: lizzibif on October 18, 2014, 10:22:58 AM
No, they want answers as to what the British Authorities are hiding.

Because we know that they are hiding something.....

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/sep/01/british-police-competition-harmed-madeleine-mccann-investigation-home-office-report

Because we know that they are hiding something.....


who is we ?....I would like to know what the Portuguese police are hiding ?...or who they are hiding ? I have my suspicions have done from the start... %£&)**#
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Brietta on October 18, 2014, 12:19:54 PM
This petition serves no useful purpose and is backward-looking to say the least. 

It seems to be labouring under the assumption that nothing has moved forward since 2007.

Everybody else is living in the here and now and are progressing methods using technology and exchange of information between international policing authorities for now and in the future.

Investigation into the exploitation of children is of paramount importance.

For example, in Portugal the PJ are at the front of these (and other) developments as can be seen by the reopening of Madeleine’s case.
I refer you to just one document outlining one current activity.
 
GLOBAL ALLIANCE AGAINST CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ONLINE
http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/organized-crime-and-human-trafficking/global-alliance-against-child-abuse/docs/ga-commitements-201308/ga_commitment_-_portugal_en.pdf

Not forgetting the introduction of the Amber Alert system across Europe.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMBER_Alert

It would be excellent if the energies devoted to hounding the McCanns were redirected to doing something useful which would be of benefit for a change … just one example might be a petition deploring child poverty and the resultant effects of life choices for many children in this country.

If that one doesn't appeal I'm sure there are many other causes crying out for attention and support.  Hounding the family of a missing child doesn't fit the category as decent people consider that to be beyond the pale.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Eleanor on October 18, 2014, 12:28:04 PM
Mr. B  has a right to his opinion, even on this Forum.  Actually, especially on this Forum.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Mr Moderator on October 18, 2014, 12:39:56 PM
Members are reminded to refer to forum members by their chosen user name and not their real name even if known.  Members should also refrain from making derogatory personal comments in their posts as this is not in any way helpful.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Angelo222 on October 18, 2014, 02:16:19 PM
Without wanting to detract from your of topic postings can I ask what is the purpose of this petition?  An inquiry about an investigation seems rather bizarre imo ??
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Eleanor on October 18, 2014, 02:20:01 PM
Without wanting to detract from your of topic postings can I ask what is the purpose of this petition?  An inquiry about an investigation seems rather bizarre imo ??

What a good idea.  Let's get back to The Topic.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Alfred R Jones on October 18, 2014, 02:23:11 PM
The petititon on the Prime Minister's website calling for an independent public enquiry into the conduct of all the official (Leics Police, Grange etc.) AND private (Metodo 3, Halligen etc.) investigations into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has now reached 1,057 signatures -

and in order to keep up the pressure for a proper enquiry into the truth about Madeleine's disappearance, please visit this link:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/69944

and add your name.

It's simple to do, will take no more than 2 minutes, and every extra name helps

PETITION

To set up an independent public enquiry into the conduct of the various investigations into the reported disappearance of Madeleine McCann

Responsible department: Home Office

Despite seven years of investigation, Madeleine’s disappearance remains a mystery. There are numerous concerns about the conduct of Leicestershire Police, Scotland Yard & government officials who became involved in the case. There are also major concerns about the investigation by Madeleine's Fund, a private company regulated by the Department of Business. The combined efforts of these organisations have yielded no answers about what really happened to her, nor who was responsible for her disappearance, nor where she might be.

The Leicestershire Police and Scotland Yard investigations have cost around £10 million so far. Madeleine’s Fund also spent millions of pounds on private detectives, mostly coming from the generous British public. The Portuguese Police and police forces around the world have also spent millions on various investigations and following up claimed 'sightings' of Madeleine. We need an independent public enquiry with the power to summon relevant witnesses.

Don't you need 100,000 signatures before anyone takes your petition seriously?  My prediction for this petition like all your other petitions is that it will peter out at around the 2000 signature mark. 
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Carana on October 18, 2014, 02:28:23 PM
Without wanting to detract from your of topic postings can I ask what is the purpose of this petition?  An inquiry about an investigation seems rather bizarre imo ??

For once, we seem to agree.

For the life of me, I can't find why the answer to moans of millions spent on the investigation of a missing child is to spend umpteen millions on a public inquiry to investigate why the investigation has cost millions, when there doesn't appear to be a valid reason in the first place.

As it seems somewhat unlikely that Home Office will start culling non-eligible signatories (e.g. multiple socks and non-UK citizens or residents) until it reaches the 100,000 mark, it would seem to be intended as a new "subtle" form of harrassment.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Carana on October 18, 2014, 02:30:28 PM
Just for info:



To create or sign an e-petition, you must be either:

    a British citizen
    a resident in the UK (you normally live in the UK)
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/terms-and-conditions
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Carana on October 18, 2014, 02:37:13 PM
Don't you need 100,000 signatures before anyone takes your petition seriously?  My prediction for this petition like all your other petitions is that it will peter out at around the 2000 signature mark.

Erm, yes. "If you collect 100,000 signatures, your e-petition could be debated in the House of Commons".

And I would think that the government has other more pressing matters to attend to in the immediate term than identifying sock-wearing centipedes for a pointless cause, although I could be wrong.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 18, 2014, 02:38:43 PM
Erm, yes. "If you collect 100,000 signatures, your e-petition could be debated in the House of Commons".

And I would think that the government has other more pressing matters to attend to in the immediate term than identifying sock-wearing centipedes for a pointless cause, although I could be wrong.

Human centipede
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: misty on October 20, 2014, 04:54:55 PM
25000 trolls...sorry, members... on that awful....sorry, informative F/B group but only 1131 signatures on the e-petition.
Does that mean that every troll......has around 20 accounts on there?
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Carana on October 20, 2014, 06:25:18 PM
25000 trolls...sorry, members... on that awful....sorry, informative F/B group but only 1131 signatures on the e-petition.
Does that mean that every troll......has around 20 accounts on there?

Unless duplicates, socks and non-UK signatories are weeded out daily (which I doubt), I would expect that a proportion of even the 1131 aren't eligible.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Alfred R Jones on October 20, 2014, 06:36:18 PM
25000 trolls...sorry, members... on that awful....sorry, informative F/B group but only 1131 signatures on the e-petition.
Does that mean that every troll......has around 20 accounts on there?
Hey, that's 100 new signatures in 3 days, don't knock it!  Which means at this rate Bennett will get enough signatures for his petition in a little over 8 years time....
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Eleanor on October 23, 2014, 04:08:56 PM

Gosh.  Whatever happened to this amazing attempt to get an expensive inquiry into an expensive investigation?  This has got to be worth more that two pages.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: jassi on October 23, 2014, 04:10:56 PM
Are you trying to drum up interest in an otherwise dead topic ?
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Eleanor on October 23, 2014, 04:28:00 PM
Are you trying to drum up interest in an otherwise dead topic ?

Never let it be said that I wasn't ever fair and unbiased.   &%&£(+
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Alfred R Jones on October 23, 2014, 05:20:51 PM
Hmm, perhaps my earlier estimate of 8 years was a little optimistic...
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Eleanor on October 23, 2014, 05:57:40 PM
Hmm, perhaps my earlier estimate of 8 years was a little optimistic...

Very, I would say.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: blonk on November 02, 2014, 05:43:59 PM
If any of you here have signed the petition on the Prime Minister's website calling for a public enquiry into the conduct of the official and private investigations into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, then THANK YOU.

Today the petition has 1,283 signatures - and out of nearly 6,000 petitions on the Prime Minister's site, it now stands at the 188th most popular, not bad after just a month.

More details of the purpose of the petition can be found on the PM's webiste, here:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/69944 - and you can vote by clicking on the same link.

A list of 30 problems with the three British investigations - those of Leicestershire Police, Soctland Yard and the McCanns' failed private investiagtions - can be found in George Dunham's article, here: 

http://whathappenedtomadeleinemccann.blogspot.co.uk/

The petition, like all others on the PM's site, will close on 30 March 2015, ahead of the General Election.

The more numbers we get on the petition, the greater the possibility of persuading the government to hold what should have happened years ago - a full public enquiry, with the power to summons witnesses, into the whole affair, including the active and unhelpful actions of various British government agencies.

The target is 10,000 signatures. If reached, this would trigger an official response by the Home Secretary   
 
     
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigaton
Post by: John on November 02, 2014, 05:50:10 PM
I fear there is little hunger for such a petition and in any event it would simply be the government launching an inquiry into its own actions.  Best let SY get on with it but unless they dig up half of Portugal I cannot see them getting anywhere anytime soon.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Alfred R Jones on November 02, 2014, 05:59:36 PM
If any of you here have signed the petition on the Prime Minister's website calling for a public enquiry into the conduct of the official and private investigations into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, then THANK YOU.

Today the petition has 1,283 signatures - and out of nearly 6,000 petitions on the Prime Minister's site, it now stands at the 188th most popular, not bad after just a month.

More details of the purpose of the petition can be found on the PM's webiste, here:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/69944 - and you can vote by clicking on the same link.

A list of 30 problems with the three British investigations - those of Leicestershire Police, Soctland Yard and the McCanns' failed private investiagtions - can be found in George Dunham's article, here: 

http://whathappenedtomadeleinemccann.blogspot.co.uk/

The petition, like all others on the PM's site, will close on 30 March 2015, ahead of the General Election.

The more numbers we get on the petition, the greater the possibility of persuading the government to hold what should have happened years ago - a full public enquiry, with the power to summons witnesses, into the whole affair, including the active and unhelpful actions of various British government agencies.

The target is 10,000 signatures. If reached, this would trigger an official response by the Home Secretary   
 
   
At the rate you've been adding signatures to your petition it will take you a further 545 days to reach 10,000, well after the closing date so it's highly unlikely you will be getting any sort of response from the Home Secretary.   Like I said, it will peter out at the 2000 mark, your failed petitions usually do.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Carana on November 02, 2014, 07:32:50 PM
Amaral's staunchest PT supporters gave up on him long ago.... Can't think why.

A bull in a china shop doesn't even cover it.

Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Jean-Pierre on November 02, 2014, 07:42:36 PM
What is a petition organised by members of TCMOMM doing on here in the first place.

Not that I mind - it is interesting to see that there seem to be dozen of socks in need of a darn.   *&*%£
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: ferryman on November 02, 2014, 07:43:15 PM
Amaral's staunchest PT supporters gave up on him long ago.... Can't think why.

A bull in a china shop doesn't even cover it.

Nuclear explosion in toy-town? ...
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: blonk on November 19, 2014, 02:04:41 PM
Not a great response from members here so far - but thanks anyway to the 1,441 people who have signed it already and have kindly given up 2 minutes of their time to sign it - every signature indicates a person who believes that the conduct of the official and private investigations must be independently investigated.

@ John The petitioner - Helen Williamson - does not seek for the government to investigate itself, as you put it. She seeks a full independent public enquiry under a judge with the power to summon witnesses to give evidence on oath. I would add that your view that we should 'leave it all to Operation Grange' is looking more and more unsustainable with every day that passes.

NOTE: Someone wrote up the thread 'Why do we have petitions being promoted on TCMOMM here anyway?'

This is a strange comment given that TCMOMM has by far the highest readership of any Madeleine forum on the net, and is widely sought out for reference, analysis and discussion. The petition is all about justice and the truth about Madeleine   
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Alfred R Jones on November 19, 2014, 02:07:10 PM
Not a great response full stop. 
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Eleanor on November 19, 2014, 03:09:49 PM

Sayin nothin.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Alfred R Jones on November 19, 2014, 03:24:03 PM
Sayin nothin.
Oh go on, you know you want to.  9 new signatures a day in the last 17 days is a considerable achievement I would say, even if it is just the same person signing over and over again @)(++(*

At this rate it will only take a further 954 days for Blonk to reach his target of 10,000 signatures.  Well done Blonk. 8((()*/
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Eleanor on November 19, 2014, 03:35:16 PM
Oh go on, you know you want to.  9 new signatures a day in the last 17 days is a considerable achievement I would say, even if it is just the same person signing over and over again @)(++(*

At this rate it will only take a further 954 days for Blonk to reach his target of 10,000 signatures.  Well done Blonk. 8((()*/

Just don't ask me where I go if I want a laugh.  Okay.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Brietta on November 19, 2014, 03:37:16 PM
As far as I am concerned  truth and justice for Madeleine would be getting the Portuguese authorities to treat her case with a little more urgency to allow questioning of witnesses to occur sometime this century.
I can see no value in backward looking, vexatious petitions which are of little interest to the majority of people.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Mr Gray on November 19, 2014, 03:46:09 PM
Not a great response from members here so far - but thanks anyway to the 1,441 people who have signed it already and have kindly given up 2 minutes of their time to sign it - every signature indicates a person who believes that the conduct of the official and private investigations must be independently investigated.

@ John The petitioner - Helen Williamson - does not seek for the government to investigate itself, as you put it. She seeks a full independent public enquiry under a judge with the power to summon witnesses to give evidence on oath. I would add that your view that we should 'leave it all to Operation Grange' is looking more and more unsustainable with every day that passes.

NOTE: Someone wrote up the thread 'Why do we have petitions being promoted on TCMOMM here anyway?'

This is a strange comment given that TCMOMM has by far the highest readership of any Madeleine forum on the net, and is widely sought out for reference, analysis and discussion. The petition is all about justice and the truth about Madeleine   
TCMOMM where only one viewpoint is allowed..
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Alice Purjorick on November 19, 2014, 03:48:36 PM
As far as I am concerned  truth and justice for Madeleine would be getting the Portuguese authorities to treat her case with a little more urgency to allow questioning of witnesses to occur sometime this century.
I can see no value in backward looking, vexatious petitions which are of little interest to the majority of people.

Oh s**t I agree with Brietta. Time to lie in a darkened room I fear  8(>((
Catch you rater arrigator.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigatons
Post by: Eleanor on November 19, 2014, 03:54:43 PM

I suspect that this is just an attempt to get The McCanns into a Witness Box
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigaton
Post by: John on November 19, 2014, 04:17:04 PM
@ John The petitioner - Helen Williamson - does not seek for the government to investigate itself, as you put it. She seeks a full independent public enquiry under a judge with the power to summon witnesses to give evidence on oath. I would add that your view that we should 'leave it all to Operation Grange' is looking more and more unsustainable with every day that passes.


What?   Waste yet more public public on what would effectively be another wild goose chase?

If I were you I would close the Petition down now before it becomes embarrassing.
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigaton
Post by: Alfred R Jones on November 19, 2014, 04:41:19 PM
What?   Waste yet more public public on what would effectively be another wild goose chase?

If I were you I would close the Petition down now before it becomes embarrassing.
Too late!
Title: Re: Petition for a public enquiry into the conduct of ALL Madeleine investigaton
Post by: blonk on November 19, 2014, 10:58:34 PM
What?   Waste yet more public public on what would effectively be another wild goose chase?

If I were you I would close the petition down now before it becomes embarrassing.

Helen is not in the least embarrassed that so far 1,443 people have added their names to a petition, on the Prime Minister's website, in just a few weeks.

There are nearly 6,000 petitions running on the PM's site; this one is now 173rd in the list - and there are 19 more weeks to go. No embarrassment in that, is there?

The petition has been signed by that number because basically they share Helen's concerns that there are major question marks about the conduct of both the British police's official - and the McCanns' private - investigations. People are able to express their concern by the act of signing that petition.

I think Helen can hold her head up high as having done something practical to raise and publicise the concerns of so many of us about how the various investigations into Madeleine's disappearance have failed so miserably so far.

Her target of 10,000 signatures may be ambitious. But at least the girl's giving it a go