Has Martin Smith Changed his Opinion ?

[stephen25000]

' Additional statement by Martin Smith, 30 January 2008

Cover note

Detective Branch
Drogheda
County Lough

Re – Investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann

I took an additional statement from Mr Smith as requested. His wife does not want to make another statement. I showed him the video clip and he stated that it was not the clip that alerted him but the BBC news at 10 PM on 9th September 2007.

He has been contacted by numerous tabloid press looking for stories. He has been contacted by Mr Brian Kennedy who is supporting the McCann family to take part in a photo fit exercise. He has given no stories or helped in any photo fits. He sent a solicitor’s letter to six papers in relation material that was printed that was misquoted. The Evening Herald paid his solicitor's fees and all papers printed an apology. His photograph appeared in another tabloid paper and this matter is being pursued at the moment.

I do not believe that Martin Smith is courting the press and my view his is a genuine person. He is known locally and is a very decent person.

Forwarded please

Sergeant

L*** H****

Additional statement by Martin Smith, 30 January 2008

I hereby declare that this statement is true to the best of my knowledge and belief and that I make it knowing that if it is tendered in evidence I will be liable to prosecution if I state in it anything which I know to be false or do not believe to be true.

I would like to state that the statement I made on 26th May 2007 in Portugal is correct. The description of the individual that I saw on 3rd May 2007 carrying a child is as follows. He was average build, 5 foot 10” in height, brown hair cut short, aged 40 years approximately. Wearing beige trousers and darkish top maybe a jacket or blazer. He had a full head of hair with a tight cut. This individual was alone. I saw Gerard McCann (sic) going down the plane stairs carrying one of his children on 9th September 2007 BBC news at 10 PM, I have been shown the video clip by Sergeant Hogan which I recognise. A clip I have seen before on the Internet. In relation to the video clips of Gerard McCann and the person I saw on 3rd May 2007 when I saw the BBC news at 10 PM on 9th September 2007 something struck me that it could have been the same person. It was the way Gerard McCann turned his head down which was similar to what the individual did on 3rd May 2007 when we met him. It may have been the way he was carrying the child either. I would be 60-80% sure that it was Gerard McCann that I met that night carrying a child. I am basing that on his mannerism in the way he carried the child off the plane. After seeing the BBC news at 10 PM, footage on the 9th September 2007 I contacted Leicestershire police with this information. During that time I spoke to all my family members who were with me on the night of 3rd May 2007 about this and the only one who felt the same way as me was my wife. She had seen the video clip of Gerard McCann walking down the stairs of the plane earlier that day. We did not discuss this until some days later. This statement has been read over to me and is correct. '

http://joana-morais.blogspot.com/2013/10/missing-information.html

Now where is any signed and verified statement by Mr. Smith showing any change to the above ?

[G-Unit]

His wife has stated explicitly that they are hugely sympathetic to the McCanns, a sentiment she's highly unlikely to utter IMO if her husband (who she once agreed with) was adamant that he is still 60-80% certain he saw Gerry.  Anyone ignoring this fact is trying hard to avoid the elephant in the room.

Did you expect her to tell the press that she and her husband were pretty sure it was Gerry McCann they saw? Now that would have been foolish. Imagine the reaction in the press and from the litigious McCanns.

[Benice]

' Additional statement by Martin Smith, 30 January 2008

Cover note

Detective Branch
Drogheda
County Lough

Re – Investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann

I took an additional statement from Mr Smith as requested. His wife does not want to make another statement. I showed him the video clip and he stated that it was not the clip that alerted him but the BBC news at 10 PM on 9th September 2007.

He has been contacted by numerous tabloid press looking for stories. He has been contacted by Mr Brian Kennedy who is supporting the McCann family to take part in a photo fit exercise. He has given no stories or helped in any photo fits. He sent a solicitor’s letter to six papers in relation material that was printed that was misquoted. The Evening Herald paid his solicitor's fees and all papers printed an apology. His photograph appeared in another tabloid paper and this matter is being pursued at the moment.

I do not believe that Martin Smith is courting the press and my view his is a genuine person. He is known locally and is a very decent person.

Forwarded please

Sergeant

L*** H****

Snipped

That is clear evidence imo that Martin Smith did not allow newspapers to get away with misquoting him. 

The fact that he apparently made no complaint - or request for the the momentous claim made in the Sunday Times that he no longer believed it was Gerry he saw - to be retracted or an apology issued - is at complete odds with his proven track record  towards newspapers who misquoted him.     If that claim in the ST was indeed a complete lie - then it was a massive one and no way IMO would MS have let it remain unchallenged.   

Common sense dictates that the only logical reason for his lack of action is because  the claim made about him was correct.


Quote from Sunday Times
There was also an uncomfortable complication with Smith’s account. He had originally told the police that he had “recognised something” about the way Gerry McCann carried one of his children which reminded him of the man he had seen in Praia da Luz.

Smith has since stressed that he does not believe the man he saw was Gerry, and Scotland Yard do not consider this a possibility. Last week the McCanns were told officially by the Portuguese authorities that they are not suspects.
Unquote

[Alfred R Jones]

Did you expect her to tell the press that she and her husband were pretty sure it was Gerry McCann they saw? Now that would have been foolish. Imagine the reaction in the press and from the litigious McCanns.

Was she forced at gunpoint to give a comment to the press?  I doubt it.  She didn't have to say anything, or could have been a lot less effusive in her sympathy gush.  You know it.

[Benice]

Did you expect her to tell the press that she and her husband were pretty sure it was Gerry McCann they saw? Now that would have been foolish. Imagine the reaction in the press and from the litigious McCanns.

She didn't have to say anything at all to the Press if she didn't want to - and yet she expressed their heartfelt sympathy for Kate and Gerry.    That was her own choice.

How can anyone have any sympathy - let alone heartfelt sympathy for someone they believed had disposed of the body of their own child as if it was no more important than a bag of rubbish?     Anyone who can't see how nonsensical that would be - has suspended all logic and common sense IMO.

[Alfred R Jones]

She didn't have to say anything at all to the Press if she didn't want to - and yet she expressed their heartfelt sympathy for Kate and Gerry.    That was her own choice.

How can anyone have any sympathy - let alone heartfelt sympathy for someone they believed had disposed of the body of their own child as if it was no more important than a bag of rubbish?     Anyone who can't see how nonsensical that would be - has suspended all logic and common sense IMO.

yup, I'm surprised at G-Unit to be honest.  Thought she at least had the intellectual honesty to admit this fact, instead of desperately trying to avoid it.

[stephen25000]

So where is Mr. Smith's sworn statement recanting his original statement.

As to what Kennedy did, that is called, interfering with a witness in a criminal case.

[Alfred R Jones]

So where is Mr. Smith's sworn statement recanting his original statement.

As to what Kennedy did, that is called, interfering with a witness in a criminal case.

As far as I know witnesses aren't obliged to provide sworn statements recanting their original statements, but it is clear from reports in the press including from Mrs Smith's own mouth that she and her husband no longer believe they saw Gerry that night, and no amount of "sceptic" foot-stamping can alter that fact.

[stephen25000]

As far as I know witnesses aren't obliged to provide sworn statements recanting their original statements, but it is clear from reports in the press including from Mrs Smith's own mouth that he and his wife no longer believe they saw Gerry that night, and no amount of "sceptic" foot-stamping can alter that fact.

So Mrs. Smith is a he.

So where are these signed statements to the contrary from the Smiths ?

...and if you think I am angry, that reveals how little you know of what you perceive as an emotional reaction.

Just the facts mam, just the facts.

[Eleanor]

Stay On Topic, Please.

[G-Unit]

yup, I'm surprised at G-Unit to be honest.  Thought she at least had the intellectual honesty to admit this fact, instead of desperately trying to avoid it.

I'm surprised given the amount of media coverage, misinformation and sensationalism attached to the case that people swallow media stories without any critical thought at all.

It's unlikely that Mrs Smith approached the Mail on Sunday to speak about the case. Her husband was determined not to speak to the press and was prepared to act against them if they wrote about his involvement. I assume, therefore, that a reporter from the Mail somehow contacted Mrs Smith. Having done so I would expect him to ask questions. The first question was probably asking to speak to Mr Smith, judging by the answer;

He [Martin] doesn't want to talk, said Mrs Smith. He said what he had to say. I was with him [that night]. We saw a man carrying a child and that's all we know. We told them all that and that's it.

A guess at the next question. Something like 'Do you think it was Gerry McCann that he saw?' Mrs Smith becomes defensive;

''The man he saw had the same stature as Gerry McCann. We felt we had to help. We're happy we did. We reported exactly what we saw.

The next question probably became emotive; 'How do you think the McCanns felt when your husband said it was Gerry he saw?'

"We only did what we thought was right for a missing girl and our hearts are breaking for her parents, as it would be if it were one of ours.

''I feel very much for them [the McCanns]. I have six grandchildren of my own and six children of my own.

"The poor McCann family must be heartbroken.''

Mrs Smith clearly didn't want to go on record saying she and her husband saw Gerry McCann, and I for one don't blame her. If she went a little bit further the other way who can blame her. Until you've been cornered by the press yourself you don't know what you might say to get rid of them.

I'm not saying that's what she did, but it wouldn't surprise me. Given the ways of the press I'm not prepared to accept anything they print as the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

[Mr Gray]

I'm surprised given the amount of media coverage, misinformation and sensationalism attached to the case that people swallow media stories without any critical thought at all.

It's unlikely that Mrs Smith approached the Mail on Sunday to speak about the case. Her husband was determined not to speak to the press and was prepared to act against them if they wrote about his involvement. I assume, therefore, that a reporter from the Mail somehow contacted Mrs Smith. Having done so I would expect him to ask questions. The first question was probably asking to speak to Mr Smith, judging by the answer;

He [Martin] doesn't want to talk, said Mrs Smith. He said what he had to say. I was with him [that night]. We saw a man carrying a child and that's all we know. We told them all that and that's it.

A guess at the next question. Something like 'Do you think it was Gerry McCann that he saw?' Mrs Smith becomes defensive;

''The man he saw had the same stature as Gerry McCann. We felt we had to help. We're happy we did. We reported exactly what we saw.

The next question probably became emotive; 'How do you think the McCanns felt when your husband said it was Gerry he saw?'

"We only did what we thought was right for a missing girl and our hearts are breaking for her parents, as it would be if it were one of ours.

''I feel very much for them [the McCanns]. I have six grandchildren of my own and six children of my own.

"The poor McCann family must be heartbroken.''

Mrs Smith clearly didn't want to go on record saying she and her husband saw Gerry McCann, and I for one don't blame her. If she went a little bit further the other way who can blame her. Until you've been cornered by the press yourself you don't know what you might say to get rid of them.

I'm not saying that's what she did, but it wouldn't surprise me. Given the ways of the press I'm not prepared to accept anything they print as the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

I think many on here treat what we read in the press with a degree of scepticism....most of your post is speculation. If there was any real evidence gerry was seen carrying maddie  he would have been arrested by now

[Brietta]

I'm not so sure about that. MS was the one who was pressing to identify the man as GM....and MS was the only one Amaral wanted to recall to Portugal.
My gut feeling is, had Amaral remained in charge, MS would have altered the time of his sighting to well past 10pm.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-2034661/EvoFIT-technology-revolutionising-way-police-catch-criminals.html
I scored a sad 0/10 on the famous faces.

I 'got' David Cameron ... but I must confess I think it looks nothing like him.  The famous faces are ones to which we are exposed constantly ... how difficult must it be to describe a face seen fleetingly in circumstances which at the time were of no consequence.

I agree that had Amaral not been sacked from the case it is highly likely that a lot more would have been made of the misidentification made by Martin Smith.

[Alfred R Jones]

I'm surprised given the amount of media coverage, misinformation and sensationalism attached to the case that people swallow media stories without any critical thought at all.

It's unlikely that Mrs Smith approached the Mail on Sunday to speak about the case. Her husband was determined not to speak to the press and was prepared to act against them if they wrote about his involvement. I assume, therefore, that a reporter from the Mail somehow contacted Mrs Smith. Having done so I would expect him to ask questions. The first question was probably asking to speak to Mr Smith, judging by the answer;

He [Martin] doesn't want to talk, said Mrs Smith. He said what he had to say. I was with him [that night]. We saw a man carrying a child and that's all we know. We told them all that and that's it.

A guess at the next question. Something like 'Do you think it was Gerry McCann that he saw?' Mrs Smith becomes defensive;

''The man he saw had the same stature as Gerry McCann. We felt we had to help. We're happy we did. We reported exactly what we saw.

The next question probably became emotive; 'How do you think the McCanns felt when your husband said it was Gerry he saw?'

"We only did what we thought was right for a missing girl and our hearts are breaking for her parents, as it would be if it were one of ours.

''I feel very much for them [the McCanns]. I have six grandchildren of my own and six children of my own.

"The poor McCann family must be heartbroken.''

Mrs Smith clearly didn't want to go on record saying she and her husband saw Gerry McCann, and I for one don't blame her. If she went a little bit further the other way who can blame her. Until you've been cornered by the press yourself you don't know what you might say to get rid of them.

I'm not saying that's what she did, but it wouldn't surprise me. Given the ways of the press I'm not prepared to accept anything they print as the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

This is called "putting it through the "sceptic" spin machine" in order to make it more palatable for the sceptic audience.  Why should anyone pay any heed whatsoever to your highly speculative interpretation of this article?  Let Mrs Smith's words speak for themselves and it's clear she and her husband only have utmost sympathy for the McCanns.  The end.

[Brietta]

' Additional statement by Martin Smith, 30 January 2008

Cover note

Detective Branch
Drogheda
County Lough

Re – Investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann

I took an additional statement from Mr Smith as requested. His wife does not want to make another statement. I showed him the video clip and he stated that it was not the clip that alerted him but the BBC news at 10 PM on 9th September 2007.

He has been contacted by numerous tabloid press looking for stories. He has been contacted by Mr Brian Kennedy who is supporting the McCann family to take part in a photo fit exercise. He has given no stories or helped in any photo fits. He sent a solicitor’s letter to six papers in relation material that was printed that was misquoted. The Evening Herald paid his solicitor's fees and all papers printed an apology. His photograph appeared in another tabloid paper and this matter is being pursued at the moment.

I do not believe that Martin Smith is courting the press and my view his is a genuine person. He is known locally and is a very decent person.

Forwarded please

Sergeant

L*** H****

Additional statement by Martin Smith, 30 January 2008

I hereby declare that this statement is true to the best of my knowledge and belief and that I make it knowing that if it is tendered in evidence I will be liable to prosecution if I state in it anything which I know to be false or do not believe to be true.

I would like to state that the statement I made on 26th May 2007 in Portugal is correct. The description of the individual that I saw on 3rd May 2007 carrying a child is as follows. He was average build, 5 foot 10” in height, brown hair cut short, aged 40 years approximately. Wearing beige trousers and darkish top maybe a jacket or blazer. He had a full head of hair with a tight cut. This individual was alone. I saw Gerard McCann (sic) going down the plane stairs carrying one of his children on 9th September 2007 BBC news at 10 PM, I have been shown the video clip by Sergeant Hogan which I recognise. A clip I have seen before on the Internet. In relation to the video clips of Gerard McCann and the person I saw on 3rd May 2007 when I saw the BBC news at 10 PM on 9th September 2007 something struck me that it could have been the same person. It was the way Gerard McCann turned his head down which was similar to what the individual did on 3rd May 2007 when we met him. It may have been the way he was carrying the child either. I would be 60-80% sure that it was Gerard McCann that I met that night carrying a child. I am basing that on his mannerism in the way he carried the child off the plane. After seeing the BBC news at 10 PM, footage on the 9th September 2007 I contacted Leicestershire police with this information. During that time I spoke to all my family members who were with me on the night of 3rd May 2007 about this and the only one who felt the same way as me was my wife. She had seen the video clip of Gerard McCann walking down the stairs of the plane earlier that day. We did not discuss this until some days later. This statement has been read over to me and is correct. '

http://joana-morais.blogspot.com/2013/10/missing-information.html

Now where is any signed and verified statement by Mr. Smith showing any change to the above ?

We are aware of the content of the Smith family statements only because Madeleine's case was archived and the files containing them posted illegally on the internet.

By the looks of it had Mr Smith had anything to do with it we would have heard nothing about it at all otherwise.

We have seen nothing of statements made either to SY or the PJ in the current investigations ... which is exactly as it should be.  But as has been pointed out, Mr Smith appears to be perfectly content with newspaper content to the effect that he has 'changed his mind' else there would have been litigation or at the least a printed apology made to him.