Is it any wonder that initial investigators arrived at the conclusions they did?

[The General]

i disagree...an innoccuous answer that could be interpreted as not innoccuous could have led to arrest...imprisonment on remand and the end of the search

In the most high profile case in Portuguese history, with the eyes of the world's media on them, with the backing of the best legal team in existence and the unequivocal support from the British Government, an arrest with no evidence is not even on the table as a possible option.
I'd even suggest that, even if it was, there would be no chance she would spend a moment in the admin block of a remand centre.

[Lace]

How? How did the brief know what they were trying to frame her before the questions were asked?

He heard what the Police said to Kate when she was questioned before she was made arguido,  that they had Madeleine's DNA,  that Kate must have 'blacked out'  that they knew she was lying,  asking her 'what did you do' etc.

[The General]

He heard what the Police said to Kate when she was questioned before she was made arguido,  that they had Madeleine's DNA,  that Kate must have 'blacked out'  that they knew she was lying,  asking her 'what did you do' etc.

Show me.

[Vertigo Swirl]

Isn't that the purpose of every formal police interview for suspects?

Yes so why provide them with any ammunition?

[Vertigo Swirl]

I disagree; progressing (or indeed cessation of) the search would be a natural output. The facts would be established, or, conversely, a story spun and quickly investigated and debunked. Answering the questions will give you a definitive either way, either rule the 'suspect' out, or rule them in.

How? Was Gerry ruled in or out by his answers?

[Vertigo Swirl]

In the most high profile case in Portuguese history, with the eyes of the world's media on them, with the backing of the best legal team in existence and the unequivocal support from the British Government, an arrest with no evidence is not even on the table as a possible option.
I'd even suggest that, even if it was, there would be no chance she would spend a moment in the admin block of a remand centre.

LOL at “eyes of the world’s media”.  Most of the media were presenting the McCanns as guilty as sin by this point.

[The General]

Yes so why provide them with any ammunition?

Or conversely, why not set them straight?

[The General]

LOL at “eyes of the world’s media”.  Most of the media were presenting the McCanns as guilty as sin by this point.

So the media were in on this 'witch hunt'?
And what about the government and phalanx of crack lawyers? No influence there then?

[The General]

How? Was Gerry ruled in or out by his answers?

All the data wasn't in at that point, i.e interview all key witnesses. Gotta make sure the stories are straight. Again, pretty standard practice.

[Vertigo Swirl]

Or conversely, why not set them straight?

How so?  Tell me one thing that a person in that situation could have said to set the record straight and get the police to reconsider their suspicions?

[Vertigo Swirl]

So the media were in on this 'witch hunt'?
And what about the government and phalanx of crack lawyers? No influence there then?

The media certainly was on a witch hunt yes, perhaps you weren’t paying attention at the time?  What about the government and the lawyers?  I seem to recall the latter failed the McCanns in court later on and what power does the UK government wield over Portugal exactly?

[Vertigo Swirl]

All the data wasn't in at that point, i.e interview all key witnesses. Gotta make sure the stories are straight. Again, pretty standard practice.

I think you’ll find that all the key witnesses were interviewed by that point.

[The General]

The media certainly was on a witch hunt yes, perhaps you weren’t paying attention at the time?  What about the government and the lawyers?  I seem to recall the latter failed the McCanns in court later on and what power does the UK government wield over Portugal exactly?

The media certainly was on a witch hunt yes, perhaps you weren’t paying attention at the time? Chained to a radiator in Mogadishu, remember? What about the government and the lawyers?  I seem to recall the latter failed the McCanns in court later on - more due to frivolous proceedings than legal ineptitude. And what power does the UK government wield over Portugal exactly? - Plenty, as was demonstrated by the McCann's hot-footing in back to Blighty. If you take your avocation of dear, old Leonor, she spent 10 years in prison for a crime she apparently didn't commit, prosecuted by a totally inept police force.

[Mr Gray]

In the most high profile case in Portuguese history, with the eyes of the world's media on them, with the backing of the best legal team in existence and the unequivocal support from the British Government, an arrest with no evidence is not even on the table as a possible option.
I'd even suggest that, even if it was, there would be no chance she would spend a moment in the admin block of a remand centre.

That's your opinion again... Arrest was possible in mine.
Last week a leading barrister advised Prince Andrew not to travel to the US on the basis he could be arrested

[Vertigo Swirl]

The media certainly was on a witch hunt yes, perhaps you weren’t paying attention at the time? Chained to a radiator in Mogadishu, remember? What about the government and the lawyers?  I seem to recall the latter failed the McCanns in court later on - more due to frivolous proceedings than legal ineptitude. And what power does the UK government wield over Portugal exactly? - Plenty, as was demonstrated by the McCann's hot-footing in back to Blighty. If you take your avocation of dear, old Leonor, she spent 10 years in prison for a crime she apparently didn't commit, prosecuted by a totally inept police force.

Are you claiming that the McCanns were only able to return to Britain because the UK government intervened?