The child gate located at the top of the steps.

[misty]

"2130: ... the child gate on the stairs up to the patio is possibly open".
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/P4/04_VOLUME_IVa_Page_890.jpg
That is a scan of the original English typed page handed to PJ. There is no possibility of translation error.

The possibilities are:-
1. MO was mistaken & the gate was closed
2. The gate had been left open by GM.
3. The gate had been left open by a wandering Madeleine.
4. The gate had been left open by a potential intruder.

I think MO would have remembered stopping & having to assess how the child gate opened, which tends to suggest it was already open & he left it open after completing his check.

[pegasus]

The possibilities are:-
1. MO was mistaken & the gate was closed
2. The gate had been left open by GM.
3. The gate had been left open by a wandering Madeleine.
4. The gate had been left open by a potential intruder.

I think MO would have remembered stopping & having to assess how the child gate opened, which tends to suggest it was already open & he left it open after completing his check.

2 or 3 are the most probable (1 or 4 are unlikely) IMO.

[pegasus]

It also states quite clearly that the patio door was closed but unlocked.

Thanks Yes. Who closed the sliding door but left the stairgate open? The 9.10pm checker? Or the child?

[pegasus]

Madeleine was moved out before 9:30 and Eddie told you it was on that side.

In your theory does your child-carrying man close and lock the stairgate before continuing down the steps?

[ShiningInLuz]

A schoolboy error...neither statement is made by Gerry...they are not verbatim...they are made by the translator...

They are translated by a translator.  Both statements were made by Gerry.

The translator was in no position to know which door required a key and which did not, hence in no position to 'invent' or 'mis-translate' a key.

Verbatim statements might work on sound recordings.  I have given more than one statement to UK police, none of them sound recorded.

The Portuguese for key is chave.  This means either a key or an electrical switch.  Gerry entered by means of a key, not an electrical switch. At least, according to his first statement.

Please do us both a favour.  I don't insult you about your 'schoolboy errors'.  Please refrain from insulting me.

[ShiningInLuz]

Consistently throughout the statements those who were entering the apartment via the unlocked patio doors are recorded as saying they were entering though the unlocked patio doors.

Just as Dr McCann stated, not that Madeleine would have been unable to open the doors, (I fell for that one) but that Madeleine would not have closed the patio doors behind her ... or the closed the child gate behind her ... or closed the outer gate behind her.

Apparently both inaccuracies have been promulgated by Pat Brown's profile which may be the 'driver' you seek. 

There is a more concise rebuttal here ...

http://madeleinemythsexposed.pbworks.com/w/page/41720163/Analysis%20and%20Rebuttal%20of%20Pat%20Brown's%20ebook%20%22Profile%20of%20the%20Disappearance%20of%20Madeleine%20McCann%20(UPDATE

I haven't read Pat Brown's ideas.  The link looks like it is a bit of jolly amusement for a idle hour so I have stacked in my in-tray, thanks.

But concise?  I need to read an entire book for a concise rebuttal?   

[misty]

2 or 3 are the most probable (1 or 4 are unlikely) IMO.

Do you think Madeleine could have closed the patio door without getting the heavy curtain/nets jammed in it?

[ShiningInLuz]

Do you think Madeleine could have closed the patio door without getting the heavy curtain/nets jammed in it?

I doubt anyone aged around 4 would bother shutting the patio door, closing the child gate and closing the garden gate, which is why the state of these is so important.

[misty]

I doubt anyone aged around 4 would bother shutting the patio door, closing the child gate and closing the garden gate, which is why the state of these is so important.

I agree with that, which only leaves the questions as to whether or not MO found the safety gate open and why the PJ didn't question  both him & GM further on that very point.

[G-Unit]

Consistently throughout the statements those who were entering the apartment via the unlocked patio doors are recorded as saying they were entering though the unlocked patio doors.

Just as Dr McCann stated, not that Madeleine would have been unable to open the doors, (I fell for that one) but that Madeleine would not have closed the patio doors behind her ... or the closed the child gate behind her ... or closed the outer gate behind her.

Apparently both inaccuracies have been promulgated by Pat Brown's profile which may be the 'driver' you seek. 

There is a more concise rebuttal here ...

http://madeleinemythsexposed.pbworks.com/w/page/41720163/Analysis%20and%20Rebuttal%20of%20Pat%20Brown's%20ebook%20%22Profile%20of%20the%20Disappearance%20of%20Madeleine%20McCann%20(UPDATE

I read the 'rebuttal' link, but they haven't got the correct information either. There is hard evidence that the police weren't called until 10.40pm;

That the police were called at 10.40.
False.  The police had been called twice by this time.  According to the witness statements of the Ocean Club receptionist (see below), the police were called immediately following a phonecall from restaurant staff.  When the police had not arrived by around 10.30pm, they were called a second time at the request of Gerry McCann. By this time, there were many guests and staff searching the complex and surrounding streets for Madeleine.

[Mr Gray]

They are translated by a translator.  Both statements were made by Gerry.

The translator was in no position to know which door required a key and which did not, hence in no position to 'invent' or 'mis-translate' a key.

Verbatim statements might work on sound recordings.  I have given more than one statement to UK police, none of them sound recorded.

The Portuguese for key is chave.  This means either a key or an electrical switch.  Gerry entered by means of a key, not an electrical switch. At least, according to his first statement.

Please do us both a favour.  I don't insult you about your 'schoolboy errors'.  Please refrain from insulting me.

the statements were made by the translator based on what she understood Gerry told her...neither made by Gerry and translated twice...if that is not a recipe for error I don't know what is

[Alfred R Jones]

Was Gerry questioned about this "key" issue when he was questioned as an arguido?  If not, why not?

[G-Unit]

Was Gerry questioned about this "key" issue when he was questioned as an arguido?  If not, why not?

Is that question rhetorical? It seems to be one only the PJ could answer. The rather flimsy child gate and the warning notices on the patio door would have been taken into account by responsible parents. They would have made sure their children couldn't leave by that patio door onto that dangerous balcony when they were left alone. They would have locked them in just like their friends did, in my opinion.

[John]

How much did a wireless baby intercom cost back then?  The Paynes had it sussed, it's a pity others didn't take notice.

[Benice]

How much did a wireless baby intercom cost back then?  The Paynes had it sussed, it's a pity others didn't take notice.

I believe JT had one.     Personally I wouldn't 100% trust anything 'mechanical'.     Also the fact that the alarm is sitting there in full view - and thus advertising to all and sundry that your children are alone in their apartment -  is not a good idea IMO.

Personally I think the use of baby alarms and the listening service - as a means of child care whilst parents are absent should be discouraged or even banned maybe  -  at all holiday venues.