Is there now grudging but growing acceptance that the McCanns didn't do it?

[Alfie]

I saw the same as you, two investigations and nothing found.  Police don't simply investigate a case based on what might appear to be obvious, they start at the beginning and pursue all possible scenarios.

I ask again - what appears to be obvious and why?  To some here it's OBVIOUS the parents dunnit.  There is no evidence (only your belief) that the police are investigating parental involvement. 

[John]

I ask again - what appears to be obvious and why?  To some here it's OBVIOUS the parents dunnit.  There is no evidence (only your belief) that the police are investigating parental involvement.

Police investigate all scenarios, even those which seemingly make you uncomfortable.  If they didn't and it later transpired that what they chose to ignore was in fact what occurred they would face considerable ridicule.  That is why SY have pursued a policy of no commentary all along in this case except for the very rare offering by former DCI Redwood. You will have observed that Redwood's replacement, DCI Nicola Wall has made virtually no comment at all, basically a least said easiest mended approach.

[ferryman]

To be honest, I am getting offended by repeated trotting out of the idea that Portugal is a Fascist state.

Prove it.  Demonstrate it.  Whatever.

You are entitled to your opinion, as long as you make clear it is simply that - your opinion.  Otherwise provide some support for your claim.

Get as 'offended' as you like by (imagined!) 'slights' that don't exist.

What I have said, underline, emphasise and repeat is that the appeal-court ruling was, and is, fascist!

I think you might find that I have also said that the ruling of the first-instance court was exemplary, that is, the antithesis of fascist.

You know, fascists exist everywhere.  They exist in England.  They exist in Portugal.

That is a long way from declaring an entire state, or an entire judicial system (of whatever country) fascist.

[G-Unit]

I suppose, in a just about, still, free country, you are entitled to your erroneous thoughts.

If there is no evidence of a crime, there is legally no crime.

Entertaining the hypothetical notion of something could come to light to alter that is one thing.

Tending to a view that something will come to light to alter that is another.

In this case a child disappeared. Unless she ran away someone removed her from 5A. Whoever did that committed a crime against the child.

[ferryman]

In this case a child disappeared. Unless she ran away someone removed her from 5A. Whoever did that committed a crime against the child.

Against Madeleine, yes.

[ferryman]

In this case a child disappeared. Unless she ran away someone removed her from 5A. Whoever did that committed a crime against the child.

Reply to the wrong post

[Alfie]

Police investigate all scenarios, even those which seemingly make you uncomfortable.  If they didn't and it later transpired that what they chose to ignore was in fact what occurred they would face considerable ridicule.  That is why SY have pursued a policy of no commentary all along in this case except for the very rare offering by former DCI Redwood. You will have observed that Redwood's replacement, DCI Nicola Wall has made virtually no comment at all, basically a least said easiest mended approach.

So are you saying that after 3 or 4 years, and publicly declaring that they are treating this case as one of stranger abduction that you know FOR A FACT that the Met have not ruled out any particular theory WHATSOEVER?

[John]

So are you saying that after 3 or 4 years, and publicly declaring that they are treating this case as one of stranger abduction that you know FOR A FACT that the Met have not ruled out any particular theory WHATSOEVER?

Never believe what a cop reveals publicly.  They always have an ulterior motive for doing so.

[Alfie]

Never believe what a cop reveals publicly.

Can you answer my question with a straight forward yes or no please.

[slartibartfast]

Yes, one reason why the police were able to categorically dismiss Gerry as Smithman.

I said solid.

[John]

I'm sorry that won't do.  Last time you looked you say the police were investigating ALL possibilities.  Where did you look, and kindly show us what you saw!

ETA: What is the obvious in this case, btw?

Not so much obvious but assumed.  The parents assumed that Madeleine had been abducted but the investigation found very little to support it.  That is why it was imperative that SY went back to basics and looked at all possible scenarios.

[G-Unit]

So are you saying that after 3 or 4 years, and publicly declaring that they are treating this case as one of stranger abduction that you know FOR A FACT that the Met have not ruled out any particular theory WHATSOEVER?

SY have never publicly identified the crime as stranger abduction, that's a myth.

[ferryman]

SY have never publicly identified the crime as stranger abduction, that's a myth.

Scotland Yard detectives released a picture of what Madeleine McCann may look like today as they said they had uncovered new information to suggest she could be alive and living with her abductor.

The senior officer leading an investigative review into the disappearance of Madeleine five years ago is calling on Portuguese police to reopen their inquiry into the case.

Releasing an age-enhanced image of Madeleine – as she nears her ninth birthday on 12 May – Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood, of Scotland Yard's homicide and serious crime command, said: "We genuinely believe there's a possibility that she is alive. I want to make a direct appeal. If you know where Madeleine McCann is or if you have any direct information or evidence about what happened to her, then please make contact."

Redwood and his 37-strong team have identified 195 missed investigative opportunities in the 40,000 pieces of evidence they have examined from the Portuguese inquiry, the family's home force in Leicestershire, and the information gleaned by a team of private detectives hired by the McCann family since Madeleine went missing, aged three, from the resort of Praia de Luz on 3 May 2007.

"We are in a unique position seeking to draw together the three key strands of information about her disappearance," said Redwood.

He unequivocally dismissed the conspiracy theory – promoted by the original Portuguese lead detective Goncalo Amaral – that Madeleine's parents had anything to do with her disappearance.

He said detectives believe Madeleine was abducted in "a criminal act by a stranger".

Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, worked closely with the Met to produce the new image of their daughter.

"Kate says she can see Madeleine's brother and sister Sean and Amelie in it as well as something of herself," said the family's spokesman, Clarence Mitchell. She and Gerry feel very positive and they hope it leads to the breakthrough they have been waiting for."

Redwood's team is sifting page by page through 100,000 documents within the 40,000 pieces of evidence, and are a quarter of the way through the exercise. They are working closely with a team of Portuguese detectives and liaising with law enforcement agencies across Europe and the world when necessary.

They are developing what they believe is "genuinely new information" in the hunt for the child. It is understood, though, that this is not based on any new possible sightings. The team is also pursuing the line of inquiry that after five years Madeleine might be dead.

It is understood that key areas being investigated by Scotland Yard – which the Portuguese police failed to pursue – include analysis of a huge amount of mobile phone cell site evidence that was gathered but never analysed. That evidence could help to trace any suspects who were around the resort.

They are also attempting for the first time to contact all the holidaymakers who were staying around the area of the Mark Warner Ocean club complex between 28 April and 3 May 2007, when Madeleine disappeared from her room while her parents were eating dinner with friends at a nearby tapas bar.

Officers are also focusing on any men in the area with criminal convictions that might indicate they are a danger to children, and investigating the backgrounds of resort staff, including examining whether any had suffered the loss of a child.

Commander Simon Foy, Scotland Yard's head of homicide command, said they would not stop until they discovered what had happened to Madeleine. The review inquiry – which has cost £2m to date – began after the McCanns appealed last year to David Cameron for Scotland Yard to investigate the case.

There are examples of children who have been abducted only to be found alive years later: Jaycee Lee Dugard was found alive 18 years after being snatched at the age of 11 from a bus stop in California; the Austrian schoolgirl Natascha Kampusch was found in 2006, eight years after being abducted aged 10; and Shawn Hornbeck, who disappeared aged 12 in 2002, was found four years later.

The decision on whether to reopen the inquiry in Portugal is in the hands of the country's attorney general. He has said he will only reopen the investigation if "new, serious and relevant evidence emerges". He was not available for comment.

Redwood said the police review team in Portugal were keen for this to happen. "[They] want to reopen the case … They are a new group of investigators and they are completely engaged and totally committed."

Jim Gamble, former head of the UK's Child Exploitation and Online Protection unit, said the hunt for Madeleine had now been reignited. "The person who's done it knows they have done it," said Gamble. "They will be paranoid, and it is likely that someone close to them will see that paranoia, or that as the pressure builds someone close to them who knows they have done it, and who is no longer a friend, might come forward.

"One thing is sure: the person who did this will be watching and listening."

Potential witnesses are urged to call 0800 096 1011 within the UK or +44 207 1580 126 from outside. Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Of course, at the point of that article, the decision to re-open the investigation had not been taken.

And by Portuguese law, new evidence is required to re-open an investigation.

[Alice Purjorick]

Of course, at the point of that article, the decision to re-open the investigation had not been taken.

And by Portuguese law, new evidence is required to re-open an investigation.

"Scotland Yard detectives released a picture of what Madeleine McCann may look like today as they said they had uncovered new information to suggest she could be alive and living with her abductor".

One wonders what they did with that information?
Three years on and they remain empty handed.
Anyone wanna buy the Brooklyn Bridge ?

[Alfie]

SY have never publicly identified the crime as stranger abduction, that's a myth.

That is patently false.