Was Lord Bell really paid £500,000 to keep the Maddie story front page news?

[Alice Purjorick]

If this is even true, can anyone tell me why The McCanns shouldn't have done this?

If it were their own money or fund money which was spent within the constraints of the company's articles of association no reason whatever for not doing so.

[Eleanor]

I think it was a legitimate use of funds ... if it were true  (while Madeleine's parents had a worse press than the Wests, it was bound to adversely impact on their campaign on her behalf) ... but I have seen nothing which substantiates it.

Of course it would have been a legitimate use of funds.  The whole idea was to keep the profile of Madeleine in the public eye.
But as you say, no one has yet proved that it happened.

So why this Thread?  It wouldn't have been illegal.

[Alice Purjorick]

Of course it would have been a legitimate use of funds.  The whole idea was to keep the profile of Madeleine in the public eye.
But as you say, no one has yet proved that it happened.

So why this Thread?  It wouldn't have been illegal.

Because it relates to Madeleine McCann?

[G-Unit]

Of course it would have been a legitimate use of funds.  The whole idea was to keep the profile of Madeleine in the public eye.
But as you say, no one has yet proved that it happened.

So why this Thread?  It wouldn't have been illegal.

I started the thread because it related to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, and also because I didn't know that her parents had paid to keep the story in the newspapers until I saw Lord Bell's quote in Owen Jones' book.
Some people will be interested and others won't c'est la vie 

[faithlilly]

Don't you agree that it's a tad hypocrital to be complaining at Leveson of press intrusion while paying someone to have your name on a daily basis in the same newspapers you are criticising ?

[G-Unit]

Don't you agree that it's a tad hypocrital to be complaining at Leveson of press intrusion while paying someone to have your name on a daily basis in the same newspapers you are criticising ?

Like others before them (Princess Diana comes to mind) the McCanns discovered that the media is a double edged sword. They print what you want but they also reserve the right to print stories which you don't want.

[Brietta]

You are free to state your purpose just as I am free to state my opinion.

I hope the discussion eased your mind regarding any concerns you may initially have had regarding the Drs McCann employing a firm at a cost of £500,000.

I have seen no confirmation of this ... but even so, the consensus would appear to be that there was nothing to prevent them doing so for the alleged reason stated.

[Eleanor]

I started the thread because it related to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, and also because I didn't know that her parents had paid to keep the story in the newspapers until I saw Lord Bell's quote in Owen Jones' book.
Some people will be interested and others won't c'est la vie 

Nothing wrong with that if everyone is interested.  Which they obviously are.  I just don't see the point of bashing The McCanns for what could well have been the exact purpose of the Fund.
The McCanns cannot be accused of doing anything illegal or immoral on this point.

[Jean-Pierre]

No. Mostly the Fund expenditure mentions only two categories 'Merchandising and Campaign Costs' and 'Administrative Expenses'. Enid provides a list of known professionals hired by the Fund, but no mention of Bell Pottinger, only of Alex Woolfall, and his connection with Mark Warner is mentioned perhaps suggesting that they paid him?
http://www.mccannfiles.com/id405.html

Is O'dowd currently practicing as a chartered accountant?  Her analysis was from a McCann bashing perspective - I recall now that she was Bennett's star witness at his trial.  And her main critisism was that the McCanns used an 0845 number for the telepone line rather than an 0800 number.   

All discussion of an expenditure of £500,000 is based on a quote attributed to Tim Bell and reported in a book by a journalist with an agenda. 

So before getting excited about it we would need some verifiction.

[G-Unit]

Is O'dowd currently practicing as a chartered accountant?  Her analysis was from a McCann bashing perspective - I recall now that she was Bennett's star witness at his trial.  And her main critisism was that the McCanns used an 0845 number for the telepone line rather than an 0800 number.   

All discussion of an expenditure of £500,000 is based on a quote attributed to Tim Bell and reported in a book by a journalist with an agenda. 

So before getting excited about it we would need some verifiction.

I have no idea if Enid O'Dowd is practicing or not. If you don't like her analysis of Madeleine's Fund accounts please feel free to produce your own. The complete printouts of them as filed at Companies House can be found by following my link provided earlier. If you don't believe that Owen Jones quoted Lord Bell correctly, Lord Bell can be contacted at the House of Lords - ask him. If you don't do any reading or research how can you have an opinion I wonder?

Just for the record I'm not a 'McCann basher' or a McCann supporter. I have an interest in the case and I like debate. I think debate is only meaningful if it is based on verifiable sources. I do my best to find sources for what I say and try not to rely on my own personal opinions.

[Mr Gray]

Is O'dowd currently practicing as a chartered accountant?  Her analysis was from a McCann bashing perspective - I recall now that she was Bennett's star witness at his trial.  And her main critisism was that the McCanns used an 0845 number for the telepone line rather than an 0800 number.   

All discussion of an expenditure of £500,000 is based on a quote attributed to Tim Bell and reported in a book by a journalist with an agenda. 

So before getting excited about it we would need some verifiction.

I would imagine that if someone can find an email address Lord Bell may well respond

[jassi]

I would imagine that if someone can find an email address Lord Bell may well respond

There you go, everything you need to know - http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/lords/lord-bell/3531

[Eleanor]

There you go, everything you need to know - http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/lords/lord-bell/3531

No, go on.  You do it.

[jassi]

No, go on.  You do it.

Why? Its of no importance to me, though it seems to be to some.

[Mr Gray]

No, go on.  You do it.

I have