White van ...

[ferryman]

I'm reminded of a slightly off-topic anecdote from Britain's defeat of the Argentinians in the conflict over the Falkland Islands.

At the end of the conflict, the commander of the British forces invited the commander of the Argentinian forces to sign a treaty of (sic) unconditional surrender. 

The commander of the Argentine forces objected to the word unconditional.

So the commander of the British forces had the whole treaty torn up and re-written with the word unconditional omitted.

That small, but simple, act of diplomacy made not a jot of difference to the course of events, except that it helped to foster a spirit of harmony and cooperation between victor and vanquished that facilitated a smoother progression to final resolution of the dispute.

I think there is a great deal that could be learnt from that example in promoting cooperation between Portugal and Britain in attempts to finally get to the root of what happened to Madeleine.

[Heriberto Janosch]

I'm reminded of a slightly off-topic anecdote from Britain's defeat of the Argentinians in the conflict over the Falkland Islands.

At the end of the conflict, the commander of the British forces invited the commander of the Argentinian forces to sign a treaty of (sic) unconditional surrender. 

The commander of the Argentine forces objected to the word unconditional.

So the commander of the British forces had the whole treaty torn up and re-written with the word unconditional omitted.

That small, but simple, act of diplomacy made not a jot of difference to the course of events, except that it helped to foster a spirit of harmony and cooperation between victor and vanquished that facilitated a smoother progression to final resolution of the dispute.

I think there is a great deal that could be learnt from that example in promoting cooperation between Portugal and Britain in attempts to finally get to the root of what happened to Madeleine.

Stupid war. Fortunately we have many things to do together other than fighting ...

[Puffin]

Sounds a good read, off to Amazon to get a copy.

The Mail always had 'form', ponder this if you will:

“Associated Newspapers have always led the charge against the policies that confront racism and anti-semitism. It praised the Blackshirts in the 1930’s, and admits that as recently as the retirement party of the last editor of the Daily Mail, two of its staff dressed in Nazi uniforms and were not asked to leave.” The Guardian, 1st March 2006

“For politicians of Livingstone's generation and ideology, the Daily Mail is, as it were, a blue rag. They call it the "Forger's Gazette" because of the Labour-damaging fake "Zinoviev letter" in the 1920s. They refer constantly to the paper's soft line on Hitler in the 1930s and its infamous 1934 "Hurrah for the Blackshirts" headline.” The Guardian, 25th February 2006 “Newly released documents reveal how in the 1930s its (Daily Mail’s) treacherous proprietor heaped grovelling praise on Adolf Hilter and the Nazis, sparking calls from Jewish groups and MPs for the newspaper to say sorry. Daily Mail boss Lord Rothermere, grandfather of the current chairman, described his psychotic hero as “superhuman” and suggested Britain and Germany should unite to rule the world.” The Daily Express, 2nd April 2005

“The Daily Mail flirted with fascism in the 1930s.” The Guardian, 11th February 2005

It is a good read, and quite an insight into the secretive and often criminal world of the press barons and their minions, not just the Mail, but that rag gets a whole chapter to itself.  The writer was, or maybe still is, a journalist himself.

[registrar]

It's endorsed by Humphrys AND Hislop - that makes it a must read

thanks for the rec.

quote:

"Important, vital, urgent" (Financial Times )

"Meticulous, fair-minded and utterly gripping" (Sam Leith Daily Telegraph )

"If you read newspapers, you MUST read this book" (John Humphrys )

"A must-read for anyone worried about journalism - which, on this analysis, should be everyone" (Ian Hislop )

"Powerful and timely...his analysis is fair, meticulously researched and fascinating" (Observer )

[ferryman]

Stupid war. Fortunately we have many things to do together other than fighting ...

I was commenting on diplomacy, not the war.

[Carana]

It is a good read, and quite an insight into the secretive and often criminal world of the press barons and their minions, not just the Mail, but that rag gets a whole chapter to itself.  The writer was, or maybe still is, a journalist himself.

Who do you mean, Puffin? Nick Davies? He's on my (rather short) list of excellent journalists.

[Puffin]

It's endorsed by Humphrys AND Hislop - that makes it a must read

thanks for the rec.

quote:

"Important, vital, urgent" (Financial Times )

"Meticulous, fair-minded and utterly gripping" (Sam Leith Daily Telegraph )

"If you read newspapers, you MUST read this book" (John Humphrys )

"A must-read for anyone worried about journalism - which, on this analysis, should be everyone" (Ian Hislop )

"Powerful and timely...his analysis is fair, meticulously researched and fascinating" (Observer )

  You are very welcome.

[Carana]

I was commenting on diplomacy, not the war.

Yes, that's how I understood your comment as well.

[icabodcrane]

Leveson clamped down on unauthorised leaking.

This could be authorised to put pressure on Portugal!

They are not  'leaks'  though   ( authorised or otherwise ) 

They are old stories that appeared in the papers years ago

What is happening here is that they are  being presented as  'new'  information that has been uncovered by the Scotland Yard review   

Note the particular article quoted in the OP 

The  'source'  is said to be someone close to the McCanns whilst the Met and the Ministry of Defence refused to comment

[Heriberto Janosch]

Yes, that's how I understood your comment as well.

Yes, I'vo got it, ferryman, Carana ... I think so, diplomacy is the better way with Portuguese authorities ...

Just I remembered the stupid war ...

[registrar]

They are not  'leaks'  though   ( authorised or otherwise ) 

They are old stories that appeared in the papers years ago

What is happening here is that they are  being presented as  'new'  information that has been uncovered by the Scotland Yard review   

Note the particular article quoted in the OP 

The  'source'  is said to be someone close to the McCanns whilst the Met and the Ministry of Defence refused to comment

Quite,

I think what we lose sight of - that as internet posters on the case with fairly good memories - we know these stories go back in time.

The general public - white van man - have not taken such a keen interest.

To them Hewlett is news - and that's what papers sell - 'news'

Regurgitated news in this case

[Carana]

They are not  'leaks'  though   ( authorised or otherwise ) 

They are old stories that appeared in the papers years ago

What is happening here is that they are  being presented as  'new'  information that has been uncovered by the Scotland Yard review   

Note the particular article quoted in the OP 

The  'source'  is said to be someone close to the McCanns whilst the Met and the Ministry of Defence refused to comment

It's May and her 10th birthday. Space will have been reserved in press calendars, particularly in the tabloids. They've got to fill it up with something.

Some of these leads haven't been followed through to elimination. Even your average hack can work that out.

[ferryman]

Thanks, Heri.

I confess, I hadn't intended posting my comment on your thread, which was slightly off-topic to your OP, for which I apologise.

[amaraltheofficeboy]

They are not  'leaks'  though   ( authorised or otherwise ) 

They are old stories that appeared in the papers years ago

What is happening here is that they are  being presented as  'new'  information that has been uncovered by the Scotland Yard review   

Note the particular article quoted in the OP 

The  'source'  is said to be someone close to the McCanns whilst the Met and the Ministry of Defence refused to comment

maybe it is best to direct the question at the papers who are publishing them and report back?

[Heriberto Janosch]

Thanks, Heri.

I confess, I hadn't intended posting my comment on your thread, which was slightly off-topic to your OP, for which I apologise.

All OK ferryman