That would be wrong but it wouldn't be wrong to say their friend/ally did.
Channel 4 were happy to give it airtime and that's their business, but it can't be argued it's anything other than a longer version of a party political broadcast. Like her film 12 months earlier it's a personal tribute.
Just as Channel 4 were happy to up their ratings ... Madeleine McCann's parents were equally as happy to use the programme to up the profile of their continuing search for her.
To that end Dr Kate McCann uses the opportunity to publicise the sighting of the man the Smith family said they saw.
Voice over: The most likely sighting of Madeleine and her abductor was by Jane Tanner, a friend of the McCanns.
In the files, Kate believes another witness statement from an Irish family, describes a very similar sighting to Jane’s. Less than a mile from the McCann’s apartment.Kate: The reason why this is significant is.... both sightings were given independently.
So, when this family gave their statement they weren’t aware of Jane's description and there’s actually quite a lot of similarities ... and it does beg the question... I mean, how many people carry their children on a cold night, not covered, you know?
Nothing on their arms, or their feet - no blanket.
Now, either there’s been two people carrying children that way who haven’t come forward to eliminate themselves, or potentially they’re related.
Voice of Interviewer: But, you think that child is Madeleine?
Kate: I think there's a good chance it could be Madeleine.
Certainly the description there sounds to me like Madeleine.
http://madeleinemythsexposed.pbworks.com/w/page/41902208/Kate%20McCann%20and%20the%20Smith%20Sighting