Was Gonçalo Amaral the author of his own demise with his off-the-record comment?

[John]

Was Dr Amaral architect of his own downfall? If by downfall we mean his removal from the case in October 2007 then yes most likely. That he was removed because of a largely inconsequential political gaffe then I feel that is unlikely. I would suggest that Gordon Brown and Milliband D. had more pressing matters on their plates at the time having not that long taken office but not so the Portuguese police. The Portuguese police were faced with solving what had become the most publicised child disappearance since the Lindbergh case. It may reasonably be adduced from available information that there were already storm clouds brewing over Dr Amaral’s actions in the Cipriano case. Under those circumstances as Dr Amaral’s bosses boss what would you do?. With the worlds press parked on my doorstep I would want to look beyond reproach and deprive an opposition brief of the opportunity to play the "bent copper card" so I would have insisted he was shuffled off sideways just in case.

Amaral certainly blames political interference for his removal from the investigation.  I would agree that the storm clouds were gathering over the Cipriano case even though he got two convictions.   It could very well have been a case of damage limitation to remove him just in case Kate ended up with a back eye (accidentally of course!)

[pegasus]

IMO he would have been taken off the case anyway with or without the phone interview comment about UK interference.
Remember what happened in the days leading up to his removal.
Report by DCCB.
Plans to bring Irish witnesses back.
Maybe it was just a coincidence he was removed just before he could investigate those items?

[colombosstogey]

Amaral certainly blames political interference for his removal from the investigation.  I would agree that the storm clouds were gathering over the Cipriano case even though he got two convictions.   It could very well have been a case of damage limitation to remove him just in case Kate ended up with a back eye (accidentally of course!)

Well here we go again. He wasnt even attending the mother when she was supposed to have been beaten....

I think he criticised the british and he was removed for diplomatic reasons .........

[Eleanor]

Well here we go again. He wasnt even attending the mother when she was supposed to have been beaten....

I think he criticised the british and he was removed for diplomatic reasons .........

So if Amaral wasn't around when Leonor Cipriano was in the police station being beaten, then how was he in a position to say that it didn't happen, and that she fell down the stairs?

[colombosstogey]

So if Amaral wasn't around when Leonor Cipriano was in the police station being beaten, then how was he in a position to say that it didn't happen, and that she fell down the stairs?

He didnt he trusted his officers that said nothing happened, that is why he ended up in trouble....the moral of the story is DONT TRUST your officers......he got his hand burnt. HE should have never done that he made an error of judgement like a lot of people in office do all the time.

[Eleanor]

He didnt he trusted his officers that said nothing happened, that is why he ended up in trouble....the moral of the story is DONT TRUST your officers......he got his hand burnt. HE should have never done that he made an error of judgement like a lot of people in office do all the time.

He signed a statement under oath.  He committed Perjury.  Who told him nothing happened?  He knows who they are.
Honour among thieves, is it?

[sadie]

So if Amaral wasn't around when Leonor Cipriano was in the police station being beaten, then how was he in a position to say that it didn't happen, and that she fell down the stairs?

Absolutely right Eleanor.  Well observed 

Amaral was head honcho.  He would have sent for the "Heavy mob" [the anti terrorist section] from Lisbon.  Of course he knew what was going on. 

And allegedly he personally "tortured" Leandro to give a false witness statement.

[Mr Moderator]

Absolutely right Eleanor.  Well observed 

Amaral was head honcho.  He would have sent for the "Heavy mob" [the anti terrorist section] from Lisbon.  Of course he knew what was going on. 

And allegedly he personally "tortured" Leandro to give a false witness statement.

Many a thing you have to do to find a missing child.   

[Eleanor]

Many a thing you have to do to find a missing child.   

Shock, Horror.  I can't believe you said that.  Leandro Silva wasn't ever even arrested, let alone charged.  Just put in hospital for two days.
Still, as you seem to believe, anything is worth a go.

[Angelo222]

Shock, Horror.  I can't believe you said that.  Leandro Silva wasn't ever even arrested, let alone charged.  Just put in hospital for two days.
Still, as you seem to believe, anything is worth a go.

How far would you go Eleanor if your child was abducted and there was a chance some Muppet knew where she was?

[Eleanor]

How far would you go Eleanor if your child was abducted and there was a chance some Muppet knew where she was?

I am not a violent person, and I would not be allowed anywhere near a suspect anyway. 
But surely you aren't suggesting that beating up any old suspect or possible witness is justified?

These children are never the children of Policemen investigating the case, so what would be their excuse?

[Cariad]

I am not a violent person, and I would not be allowed anywhere near a suspect anyway. 
But surely you aren't suggesting that beating up any old suspect or possible witness is justified?

These children are never the children of Policemen investigating the case, so what would be their excuse?

I'm with Eleanor. Violence is never justified. You can't just beat the crap out of a suspect in the hope that they'll confess.

That's a general comment, not about any case in particular.

[Mr Gray]

How far would you go Eleanor if your child was abducted and there was a chance some Muppet knew where she was?

once you sanction violence against suspects you no longer have a justice system you have an injustice system

[Eleanor]

I'm with Eleanor. Violence is never justified. You can't just beat the crap out of a suspect in the hope that they'll confess.

That's a general comment, not about any case in particular.

All you can ever hope to get from a torture victim is what you want to hear.  It can never be trusted.  So you have to wonder about the motives of people who do this.
No Case in particular.

[stephen25000]

Absolutely right Eleanor.  Well observed 

Amaral was head honcho.  He would have sent for the "Heavy mob" [the anti terrorist section] from Lisbon.  Of course he knew what was going on. 

And allegedly he personally "tortured" Leandro to give a false witness statement.

Is that your get out clause to avoid libel, by use of the word 'allegedly' ?

So you can't object if other people use the same term on possible actions of the Mccanns.

Can you ?