Has the Madeleine McCann story died at last?

[Robittybob1]

But there was only one year.

The claim  by Lord Bell was that it was a one off payment, so the expression "per annum" is rather confusing.

[Eleanor]

The claim  by Lord Bell was that it was a one off payment, so the expression "per annum" is rather confusing.

That's what I thought.

[G-Unit]

But there was only one year.

In my first comment I said the cost was half a million per annum. It's a way of quoting the going rate, that's all. I was not implying they spent that amount every year.  As it happens they paid for one year and made, I assume, other or no arrangements thereafter.

[Eleanor]

In my first comment I said the cost was half a million per annum. It's a way of quoting the going rate, that's all. I was not implying they spent that amount every year.  As it happens they paid for one year and made, I assume, other or no arrangements thereafter.

So what was Bell Pottinger doing for Mark Warner?

[Sunny]

So what was Bell Pottinger doing for Mark Warner?

Presumably the same as they were doing later for the McCanns. Reputation management is their forte I believe.

[Eleanor]

Presumably the same as they were doing later for the McCanns. Reputation management is their forte I believe.

Would that not be a conflict of interest?

[Sunny]

Would that not be a conflict of interest?

Probably Eleanor but without asking them we probably will never know.

[G-Unit]

Would that not be a conflict of interest?

In my opinion the 'crisis' which needed managing was the disappearance of Madeleine. Alex Woolfall's job was to make sure Mark Warner's reputation was protected. He did that by managing the McCann's interaction with the press. The story as it emerged did no harm to Mark Warner so keeping it going on just the McCann's behalf wouldn't have been a problem to Mark Warner either.

[Eleanor]

In my opinion the 'crisis' which needed managing was the disappearance of Madeleine. Alex Woolfall's job was to make sure Mark Warner's reputation was protected. He did that by managing the McCann's interaction with the press. The story as it emerged did no harm to Mark Warner so keeping it going on just the McCann's behalf wouldn't have been a problem to Mark Warner either.

So how much did Mark Warner pay Bell Pottinger?

[G-Unit]

So how much did Mark Warner pay Bell Pottinger?

I expect that depends on when they hired them, how long they used them and what they did for them. People from Resonate were in Luz holding discussions with Mark Warner during the week before the disappearance. They recommended bring in their parent company.
https://www.prweek.com/article/656479/mark-warner-hires-bell-pottinger

[Eleanor]

I expect that depends on when they hired them, how long they used them and what they did for them. People from Resonate were in Luz holding discussions with Mark Warner during the week before the disappearance. They recommended bring in their parent company.
https://www.prweek.com/article/656479/mark-warner-hires-bell-pottinger

Thank You.

[Vertigo Swirl]

Half a million per annum to keep the story on the front pages I think it was according to Lord Bell.

Do you think the McCanns have spent in excess of £10m on media stories then?

[Robittybob1]

In my first comment I said the cost was half a million per annum. It's a way of quoting the going rate, that's all. I was not implying they spent that amount every year.  As it happens they paid for one year and made, I assume, other or no arrangements thereafter.

I object to that as no one has shown the forum that the payments were made by the McCanns, for the benefit of the McCanns.

[Robittybob1]

Presumably the same as they were doing later for the McCanns. Reputation management is their forte I believe.

Who contracted them, that is the important issue.

[Robittybob1]

Probably Eleanor but without asking them we probably will never know.

Conflict of interest is also a judgement call.