There is no probability about it. Mitchell is their spokesperson, so any quote emanating from the McCann's or a source close to the McCann's comes from Mitchell.
Note his two headed approach, often in the same article or piece, where he gives an on the record quote to say the dignified bit, but then gives a quote as "a source close" to the Mccann's to lay the boot in.
Just like he did in that piece about the PJ not co-operating with SY.
Utterly odious.
Yes, this 'media monitoring' is a cynical business isn't it ? ... little wonder that the so-called spin doctors are universally despised, even within their own circles
I wonder what Sclotland Yard makes of it though ( assuming the anonymously sourced quote is untrue )
The reason I ask is that I am reminded of what Matt Tapp ( police media adviser ) said on the Dispatches programme
When refering to the frenzied media speculation surrounding the McCann case, he noted that secrecy laws preventing comment by Portuguese police hampered the case
He stressed how important it was for the media to be given as much accurate information as possible and that it was crucial for the police to speak to the media in order to provide background information
The importance lay, he advised, in the need to ensure the media's approach was focussed, and in line with the investigation ... otherwise, in his words, "The media can be extremely disruptive"
That being the case, I imagine Scotland Yard are not best pleased when 'sources close to the McCanns' feed information to the media that may confuse or muddy the waters
