Was Mr Smiths claim just pie in the sky after all?

[AnneGuedes]

We've been here before first in 2007 and again now with the McCann's being victims and not persons of interest.

Pathfinder, who quoted the PJ officer saying the McCann were treated like victims ?

[Lyall]

2nd September 2007 :

Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa confirmed today that Gerry and Kate McCann are not under suspicion for their daughter's vanishing on 3 May and described them as "victims".

"The McCanns are not suspects. They are victims and witnesses," he said "I don't know where the newspaper got this information from but it is not true."

He I think never changed his mind and didn't agree with subsequent decisions?

[Estuarine]

If SY thought for a minute that Mr Smith was correct in his original assertion they would not have stated publicly that the McCanns are neither suspects or persons of interest.

Or would they... >@@(*&)

There is always the possibility of an unspoken but implied ".......at the moment".

[AnneGuedes]

He I think never changed his mind and didn't agree with subsequent decisions?

No PO is entitled to express his personal opinion when in duty.

[pathfinder73]

Pathfinder, who quoted the PJ officer saying the McCann were treated like victims ?

They are victims and not suspects according to reports.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6942198.stm

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/madeleine-top-cop-inisists-mccanns-are-victims-not-suspects-6609911.html

Imagine what would happen if they were named suspects. The investigation would become a farce! They want to get on and do their job without it turning into a circus. It's the police way by the looks of it to not give anything away.

[Estuarine]

They are victims and not suspects according to reports.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6942198.stm

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/madeleine-top-cop-inisists-mccanns-are-victims-not-suspects-6609911.html

Imagine what would happen if they were named suspects. The investigation would become a farce! They want to get on and do their job without it turning into a circus. It's the police way by the looks of it to not give anything away.

The police changed their minds a few days later didn't they!

[Carew]

They are victims and not suspects according to reports.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6942198.stm

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/madeleine-top-cop-inisists-mccanns-are-victims-not-suspects-6609911.html

Imagine what would happen if they were named suspects. The investigation would become a farce! They want to get on and do their job without it turning into a circus. It's the police way by the looks of it to not give anything away.

Exactly........and how can anyone  be ruled out for ever when at any time evidence, changes of story/ confessions could emerge?

I`ve read on here that the investigative team would look "foolish" and would never be believed or taken seriously again were they to declare the McCanns and friends to be "not suspects" if in reality they were keeping all options open. I don`t agree.

Situations change........it`s not set in stone for all time.

[Redblossom]

Exactly........and how can anyone  be ruled out for ever when at any time evidence, changes of story/ confessions could emerge?

I`ve read on here that the investigative team would look "foolish" and would never be believed or taken seriously again were they to declare the McCanns and friends to be "not suspects" if in reality they were keeping all options open. I don`t agree.

Situations change........it`s not set in stone for all time.

The Mccanns have not been cleared by SY, as some suggest,  thats all, they are just not treating them as suspects, alledgedly, big difference

[Silkywhiskers]

Only an idiot would believe they are NOT suspects, especially now Tannerman is blown to smithereens and the suppression of the e-fit, alongside the lies changing stories, the dogs, the DNA and the bizarre behaviour afterward.

[colombosstogey]

Only an idiot would believe they are NOT suspects, especially now Tannerman is blown to smithereens and the suppression of the e-fit, alongside the lies changing stories, the dogs, the DNA and the bizarre behaviour afterward.

Sadly its only a few who know the story of the McCanns properly.

My sister came on Sunday and we were chatting about Pistourias and the upcoming trial, and then she said well I thought they were arresting someone in Portugal for the McCann childs disappearance it was in all the newspapers. I said why do you believe that then, and she said yes.

After talking to her about it, she knew nothing, didnt even know dogs had gone into apartment, the car, villa, she only really knew what she had read. This is about the fourth person recently who has said the same.

The whitewash machine has worked well methinks.

[colombosstogey]

Mr Smith's son and his wife didn't state that they didn't think Mr McCann could be Smithman.

YES ANNE.
To be honest I find it very coincidental that when Amaral became interested in this sighting, and was arranging for Smiths to come back to Portugal etc, he was chucked off the case, then this sighting was buried.....from what i have read/recollection, he has NEVER said it wasn't Mr McCann and has kept quiet.....

[Mr Gray]

Only an idiot would believe they are NOT suspects, especially now Tannerman is blown to smithereens and the suppression of the e-fit, alongside the lies changing stories, the dogs, the DNA and the bizarre behaviour afterward.

So no  evidence still

[AnneGuedes]

After talking to her about it, she knew nothing, didnt even know dogs had gone into apartment, the car, villa, she only really knew what she had read. This is about the fourth person recently who has said the same.

The whitewash machine has worked well methinks.

People have no time to question what they read, they have doubts because the media have discredited themselves repeatedly. But they don't reject the media stories, they can't, having no alternative.  As they know they'll never know the truth, their interest in the case tends to diminish. It's not whitewash though, it's saturation.

[pegasus]

IMO it s a possibilty (as witness AS says ) that smithman may have went down this lane with steps, here is a photo (credit Jeanne d'Arc)

[AnneGuedes]

IMO it s a possibilty (as witness AS says ) that smithman may have went down this lane with steps, here is a photo (credit Jeanne d'Arc)
http://www.gerrymccannsblogs.co.uk/J/v.JPG

You're kidding.