Only just come across this.
The opening sentence of the article answers your question:
(Key words highlighted):
Again, you have efits of men who (conceivably, not necessarily) may have had something to do with Madeleine's abduction, the difference (yet again) between intelligence and evidence and (yet again) full justification in publishing that efit (when it was published).
The Smith sighting was (potentially) actually of Madeleine's abduction.
You need the context of a live and on-going police enquiry to publish such an efit.
simple as that.
Ah yes, the work of 'rising star' Dave Edgar. That's how his career in the Ulster Constabulary was described by The Mirror. He spent 22 years in the Royal Ulster Constabulary with one promotion; to Sergeant. He didn't rise very fast, did he? He did better in eight years with Cheshire Police; two promotions, retiring as a Detective Inspector; a 'middle management position. An OK CV but not outstanding.
Mr Edgar, who now runs the Alpha Investigations Group with business partner Arthur Cowley, was asked by Gerry and Kate McCann to find their daughter after failures other investigators.
The Mirror, 14th May 2009
Not true, but mot corrected until the fuss over the lack of investigation surrounding the 'Beckham' e-fit;
Mr Cowley, 57, is sole director of Alpha Investigation Group, based in Flintshire, North Wales.
Asked last night why Mr Cowley and his colleague had not spoken to the port authorities, Mr Edgar said: 'My instructions were that they couldn't get through security at the marina at the time. I've got to take that at face value. We are a small team. We are dealing with finite resources and will have to manage with that.'
He said Mr Cowley's company had no connection with the Madeleine investigation. 'I am employed by the McCann family and I pick my staff,' he added.
Mail on Sunday August 2009
Cowley's company (Alphaig Limited) was registered in 2009 by Andrew Dickman whose address was Latium Group, Brian Kennedy's company. There's a clear connection with the Madeleine investigation right there. Andrew Dickman was the Managing Director of Patrick Properties, owned by Latiium.
http://www.mccannfiles.com/id362.html