So what is the latest state of play from Scotland Yard?

[Angelo222]

There is nothing to indicate that the 38 persons currently of interest are those already cleared by the Portuguese investigation, though some or all of them may be.  Apart from the released files, the SY investigation will include other information that has come to light since the shelving of the case from all kinds of sources apart from the files.  They have been able to state, categorically, that the McCanns and their friends are NOT among those being investigated.

Tough on the sceptics, but that's the reality today.

Just in the same way they were categorically right about the killer of Jill Dando eh?

[Albertini]

The idea that the group have been ruled out is false in a technical sense.

In reality Redwood said they were not persons of interest or suspects as he stood there on that day giving that interview.

That is not the same as saying they have been investigated and categorically ruled out.

It can be perfectly true that then they aren't suspects or POI then BUT it does not automatically mean they never will be as the investigation runs its course.

For example once the 38 have been checked out and if there is nothing which suggests involvement there is nothing to stop the Yard making the T9 suspects at that point.

The thing that doesn't add up for me about the 38 POI is why he would broadcast that before those 38 were investigated?

That's bad policing because if as a copper you felt there was a genuine chance that one of 38 POI had Madeleine you would not broadcast it to the world and let a potential abductor know that at some point in the future, when you had sorted the paperwork out, you were going to swoop on them.

It would put Madeleine's life in danger or alert a suspect to flee.

[Mr Gray]

The idea that the group have been ruled out is false in a technical sense.

In reality Redwood said they were not persons of interest or suspects as he stood there on that day giving that interview.

That is not the same as saying they have been investigated and categorically ruled out.

It can be perfectly true that then they aren't suspects or POI then BUT it does not automatically mean they never will be as the investigation runs its course.

For example once the 38 have been checked out and if there is nothing which suggests involvement there is nothing to stop the Yard making the T9 suspects at that point.

The thing that doesn't add up for me about the 38 POI is why he would broadcast that before those 38 were investigated?

That's bad policing because if as a copper you felt there was a genuine chance that one of 38 POI had Madeleine you would not broadcast it to the world and let a potential abductor know that at some point in the future, when you had sorted the paperwork out, you were going to swoop on them.

It would put Madeleine's life in danger or alert a suspect to flee.

This may well be the case. The british approach to this sort of crime is to rule out the parents at the very start of the investigation. I would think that SY have already considered the evidence against the MCcanns.

[south of the river]

This may well be the case. The british approach to this sort of crime is to rule out the parents at the very start of the investigation. I would think that SY have already considered the evidence against the MCcanns.

absolutely to think that SY would have spent the last 3 years not considering the parents and making sure that their story is water tight is ludicrous

[Albertini]

This may well be the case. The british approach to this sort of crime is to rule out the parents at the very start of the investigation. I would think that SY have already considered the evidence against the MCcanns.

Would think or definitely know?

The point is no one really knows and the way that Redwood worded it left another room to justify the comments BUT make them suspects later if necessary.

After all he could say "at that time they weren't suspects, but having ruled out the 38 POI our suspicion has now fallen on the group".

The very nature of this case means all "normal" rules of investigation can be thrown out of the window. I do not think it is unreasonable for SY to be pursuing a strategy of ruling out people and theories by process of elimination working from the out inwards.

That way if all other theories and suspects are ruled out and attention focuses on the group there can be no allegations that the police have ignored all other possibilities.

[ferryman]

Albertini:

The thing that doesn't add up for me about the 38 POI is why he would broadcast that before those 38 were investigated?

That's bad policing because if as a copper you felt there was a genuine chance that one of 38 POI had Madeleine you would not broadcast it to the world and let a potential abductor know that at some point in the future, when you had sorted the paperwork out, you were going to swoop on them.

It's not bad policing at all. 

What would be bad policing is naming any of the 38 people (which Scotland Yard have not done).

As it is, if any of the (unnamed) 38 people have anything sinister to hide, the state of play for them, now, is exactly the same as it was at the beginning when the Scotland Yard review was announced.

[John]

absolutely to think that SY would have spent the last 3 years not considering the parents and making sure that their story is water tight is ludicrous

Just a point here.  How can they have checked out anything when they haven't been to Portugal?

[Carana]

Just a point here.  How can they have checked out anything when they haven't been to Portugal?

Who is "they"? The Met? If so, what makes you think that they haven't been to Portugal??

[John]

Who is "they"? The Met? If so, what makes you think that they haven't been to Portugal??

Not in the last 6 years they haven't as they have no authority there.  And curiously, the letter of request appears to have fallen on stoney ground.

[south of the river]

Not in the last 6 years they haven't as they have no authority there.  And curiously, the letter of request appears to have fallen on stoney ground.

I am sure there is far more cooperation at a working kevel that is put in public - I would imagine that  the  PJ would give SY courtesy and help as they probably work together on other crimes all the time. The McCann's is not the only case that has happened in the past years 

Have certain officers visited PDL under the radar to meet and see for themselves - don't know. I would be surprised if not - I know several Met police at a friendly level - some long standing and they are forever going abroad to work on cases or assist .

[AnneGuedes]

Quite a few PO from the LC spent many months in Portimão working with the PJ.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Not in the last 6 years they haven't as they have no authority there.  And curiously, the letter of request appears to have fallen on stoney ground.

Yes, why have things fallen silent on the letter of request?

This wouldn't have anything to do with the Amaral trial by any chance, would it?

[Angelo222]

Yes, why have things fallen silent on the letter of request?

This wouldn't have anything to do with the Amaral trial by any chance, would it?

Got it in one Sherlock!! 

If Gonçalo manages to defend his theory in the Lisbon court it will not fair well for any abduction investigation.

[Luz]

I am sure there is far more cooperation at a working kevel that is put in public - I would imagine that  the  PJ would give SY courtesy and help as they probably work together on other crimes all the time. The McCann's is not the only case that has happened in the past years 

Have certain officers visited PDL under the radar to meet and see for themselves - don't know. I would be surprised if not - I know several Met police at a friendly level - some long standing and they are forever going abroad to work on cases or assist .

You are right. There has been cooperation about drugs, persons and sexual trafficking  and terrorist cases. But when it comes to the involvement of potential British suspects, UK has been very scarce in its cooperation. There has been cases where Britain has facilitated the escape of suspects or even convicted felons and criminals from Portugal. That's why I don't have any hope about the intervention of SY in this case, in particular because the primary suspects, so far, are the parents and/or close friends (all British, unfortunately - if they were swarthy ugly looking foreigners the cooperation would be more prolific).

By the way, did you know there were hundreds of convicts for sexual crimes sent by Britain to the Algarve, where they are being kept in rented apartments paid by the UK Government, and the Portuguese authorities were never notified?!

[Angelo222]

By the way, did you know there were hundreds of convicts for sexual crimes sent by Britain to the Algarve, where they are being kept in rented apartments paid by the UK Government, and the Portuguese authorities were never notified?!

Can you back this claim up Luz??