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Disappeared and Abducted Children and Young Adults => Madeleine McCann (3) disappeared from her parent's holiday apartment at Ocean Club, Praia da Luz, Portugal on 3 May 2007. No trace of her has ever been found. => Topic started by: Robittybob1 on March 12, 2018, 02:08:09 AM

Title: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 12, 2018, 02:08:09 AM
What value was it to interview all these staff members? 

MILLENNIUM RESTAURANT 

ALEXANDRA N. DE SOUSA WAITRESS 08 MAY 07
ALICE M.V.SILVESTRE RESTAURANT 06-MAY 07
ANA M.D.C.SILVA HOTEL WORKER 06 MAY 07
CATIA SOFIA DA COSTA- WAITRESS 08 MAY 07
CECILIA CARMO PUBLIC RELATIONS 06 MAY 07
DAVID J. A. V. D. SANTOS-RESTAURANT 08 MAY 07
ECATERINA DOBRIOGLO- RESTAURANT 08 MAY 07
EDUARDO J.O.MARTINS BARMAN 06 MAY 07
GUSTAVO CESAR C.CAMPOS WAITER 08 MAY 07
JOHN SHOLTO YOUNG WAITER 08 MAY 07
JORGE MIGUEL T. CINTRA WAITER 08 MAY 07
LOUISA MARIA C.TODOROV-WAITRESS 08 MAY 07
LUIS MIGUEL DE S. BARROS-BARMAN 05 MAY 07
NATALIA PASA MILLENIUM COOK 06 MAY 07
NELSON LUIS DA SILVA RODRIGUEZ 08 MAY 07
MARIA FERNANDES TABLE WORKER 07 MAY 07
MARIA JOSE DOS S.ROSA BAR CHIEF 06 MAY 07
PEDRO A.G.RIBEIRO BARMAN 06 MAY 07
PEDRO M.G.A.D.S.BANDARRA BARMAN 08 MAY 07
SOFIA BENTO BARBOSO COOK 08 AUG 08
SERGIO JANINI COOK 07 MAY 07
TIFFANY CAROL HORNER WAITRESS 08 MAY 07
VALTER MANUEL DE F.MENDES-BARMAN 05 MAY 07
VIRGINIA MONTEIRO KITCHEN 07 MAY 08
VERA VALERIO KITCHEN WORKER 07 MAY 07
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 12, 2018, 02:45:07 AM
Mentions of "McCann" in the Millennium statements:

"On the following day she found out from the news that the girl was the daughter of the McCann couple who had dined at the restaurant where she works." ALEXANDER NICOLE DE SOUSA


"The restaurant is used by guests staying at the resort, mainly for breakfast and dinner.

When asked, she says she remembers the McCann family as they often used the restaurant where she worked although she adds that she never had a conversation with them.

When asked about the relationship between the McCann couple and their children she says that she does not know and did not pay attention.

She says that at no moment did she see anything suspicious.

She knows about the facts being investigated through her boyfriend Nelson Rodrigues who works as a barman at the OC and who phoned her at about 23.00/23.30 on 3rd May telling her that he would be home late as a girl was missing and he was helping to look for her. Her boyfriend arrived home at 04.00 the following day.

She says that after this she heard about the case on the news."    Alice Maria Velhuco Ciriaco Guerreiro Silvestre


"She says that breakfast was served between 08.00 and 10.00 and that the McCanns would arrive between 08.00 and 09.00.

She says that the McCanns appeared to be a normal family and that the relation between the members of the family was very good. Madeleine appeared to be very attached to her father and was always clinging on to him. Given her public relations function she was always very nice to the guests and would get involved with the children, saying that Madeleine was very shy and did not respond to her. She says that the only contact she had with guests was at the entrance to the Millenium restaurant, she did not have a view of the tables or the Buffet area.

She heard about the disappearance on Friday morning 4th May from a colleague called Alice."  Cecilia Paula Dias Firmino do Carmo


"The establishment is used by guests staying at the OC resort particularly at breakfast and dinner times.

When questioned he says he remembers the family of Madeleine McCann, who used the restaurant where he works once on Saturday 28th April, but he adds that he did not have any conversation with them.

When questioned about the relationship between the parents and the children, he says that he did not really notice, but that he was given to believe that there was nothing strange about it.

He says that at no moment did he notice anyone with strange behaviour as regards the children or anything that appeared suspicious to him."  David Jose Araujo Veloso dos Santos


When questioned she says that she does not remember the family of Madeleine McCann although they were regular users of the restaurant where she worked, because her functions did not imply direct contact with the guests.

She never noticed the presence of anyone with strange behaviour towards children or see anything suspicious." Ecaterina Dobrioglo

"He says that he has nothing to add, he saw nothing strange during the day or on the previous days.

With regard to the McCann family he has nothing to add as he did not have close contact with them.

He say that without being absolutely sure he thinks he saw the couple with their three children inside the restaurant on Monday or Tuesday night, he supposes they were there to eat.

When questioned he says that he is not sure whether they were accompanied by other individuals.

He says that as was the case on other nights, that night was calm and he did not notice anything strange or anyone approaching the couple or their children or taking photographs.
Reads, ratifies, signs."   Gustavo Cesar Cabral Campos

"After seeing their [the McCann's] picture, he immediately remembered that he had seen them having breakfast in the restaurant where he works, but that he does not remember any situation in particular involving this family, nor does he remember hearing or noticing any strange situation involving their presence."  John Sholto Young

". That the deponent was working, her colleagues went looking for the child, that night, and the stated that they returned home at 01 in the morning;
. In that which concerns the specific facts of the investigation, she states that she has nothing relevant to offer;
. States that she exercises her functions in that restaurant, which is situated in an area away from the apartment where the McCann family was staying;"  MARIA DE FATIMA DE SOUSA FERNANDES


"He heard about the disappearance when he arrived for work on Friday morning.

He says that he has no knowledge of any strange events before the disappearance. With regard to the McCann family, he has nothing to say as he had no close contact with them.

He says that they would have breakfast in the morning at the restaurant. He cannot guarantee it, but he thinks they were regular guests at the time in the morning. He cannot say anything about the time after 15.00 when he was off duty."  Pedro Alexandre Gonzaga Ribeiro
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 12, 2018, 02:59:52 AM
I'll have to check what the McCanns say about going to the Millennium but on the initial cut and pastes it appears a lot of the staff were getting  confused between the Tapas 7 and the Tapas 9 and the McCann family on their own.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 12, 2018, 04:40:31 AM
"----- The reception committee over, the nine adults and eight children went on foot to the MILLENIUM restaurant. They went back to the secondary reception, turned left and, at the end of the road, turned right up to the main street that led to the restaurant. Because it was a long way, at some time the deponent and his wife picked up and carried the twins in their arms, but not MADELEINE who was always on foot.
----- They arrived at the destination between 18h50 and 19h00 having set themselves up at a large table where they all ate dinner, including the children who were seated between the adults, never leaving the place except for one of the twins who went to the bathroom with the deponent. About an hour later they finished dinner returning, again on foot by the same route, though going wrong in one of the streets where they should have turned left, ending up only turning at the next street. He adds that, as they were all very tired they went directly to the apartment arriving at 20h10/20h15, the route back having been slightly faster given that the twins were carried all the way."

"----- The following day (Sunday) the children woke up at 08h00, he and his wife having woken up at 07h30. They dressed and about 08h40 left the apartment going to the MILLENIUM restaurant, once more on foot and by the same route as the previous night, but without the mistake referred to previously, arriving there at 08h45/09h00. The group did not all arrive at the same time, rather in a phased manner, because they were not all seated at the same table.
----- He thinks that MO and wife RMO did not take breakfast due to the former having spent a bad night with vomiting and diarrhoea. At breakfast the children sat at the same table among the adults, it finished at 09h25.
----- The deponent, his wife and three children went to the OCEAN CLUB by the same route where they arrived at 09h40, the deponent having entered the apartment by the main door, which was locked,"

"This time was marked at the restaurant as the beginning of dinner, except Saturday, arrival day, when they had dinner at the Millenium."

"They washed the children and had breakfast at the apartment between 08:00 and 08:30 AM. Food bought by her and Gerry at Baptista supermarket. Previously they'd had breakfast at the  millennium, but as it was so far they'd decided to have breakfast at the apartment."

"As regards routines, he says that on Sunday they had breakfast between 07.30 and 08.30 at the OC Bar at a few metres distance from the apartment. During the following days, because of the fact that the bar was quite far away, they began to buy food at a supermarket situated in the same street as the apartment, he cannot remember the name of the supermarket and they would have breakfast in the apartment. "

"----- Again she went on foot, leaving the secondary reception she turned right, went down the street passing the supermarket, turning left passing the main reception. After putting the children in their creches they went to the supermarket where they bought[things] for lunch and breakfast."

----- In the following days they always took breakfast at home, shopping the day before, generally maintaining the daily routine described above.


So it seems except for 1 day breakfast was taken in the apartment.  I'll see if the Tapas 7 confirm this.









Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 12, 2018, 07:53:36 AM
DAVID PAYNE'S STATEMENT

"Concerning the remaining members of the group, normally we met up with them in the morning and went for breakfast, together, at the, "Millennium," restaurant, after which they left their children at their respective mini-clubs and the adults went to do sports inside the tourist complex or they went to the beach.
The couple Gerry and Kate had breakfast in the apartment. It was usual to have dinner together every night. With the exception of Saturday, when they all dined at the, "Millennium," restaurant, every evening the group was to be found at the, "Tapas," restaurant"

Fiona Payne:
"Reply
 'Something to mention, which I don't think I have. Kate and Gerry certainly, that must have been the Sunday morning, they did come for breakfast at Millennium on the first day, we were there and we all pretty much met on that Sunday morning for breakfast and I know they didn't do that again because they had a hideous time with the twins wanting to walk everywhere at that point and, you know, one would be lurking at the back and the other one walking ahead'.
 
 
 1485
 'Umm'.
 
 
 Reply
 'And they just found it too, too difficult. So that was the only time they, we saw them at breakfast, that was the first day'."


 Reply
 'They didn't do breakfast at the Millennium, so as I say really we, we wouldn't sort of on the whole catch up with Kate and Gerry, other than in, if we happen to sort of cross paths'.


Jane Tanner:
"4078    “Am I right in thinking you went to the Millennium?”
Reply    “We went to the Millennium for breakfast yeah. I think that first morning on the Sunday everybody, the whole group went that first, well I’m not sure if Dave and Fi did but I know Kate and Gerry went that first morning to the Millennium Restaurant and I think they found it quite a, a trail to get because they’d got three kids, the ones that were two, they were carrying the twins and dragging Madeleine so I think then after that they decided they’d have breakfast in their room after their first day because it was a bit of a, not an ordeal, but it was a bit of a trek to get back.”
4078    “Ah it is, the children to get out of bed in the morning.”"




"In the morning, the group woke between 6.30 and 8am and that they all went on foot to the, "Millennium," around 10 minutes from the complex. That only Madeleine's parents, Madeleine and the twins had breakfast in their apartment due to the fact that they have three very small children. "



MATT OLDFIELD:
"Gerry and Kate came the first, I think came the first day, or maybe the evening, but then started making their breakfast all the time, because they had three kids to get there and the Millennium was a good ten minute walk along roads with sort of, where you had to actually cross into the road to get round because of obstructions on the pavement and there was quite a lot of sort of fast, although it wasn't sort of like a busy road, but the traffic that did come occasionally came through quite fast, so it was quite a long, erm, a long walk to get there, so they decided that it wasn't worth the hassle and they would just eat and have breakfast in their apartment, so they certainly didn't eat there after that first day, if they made it the first day, I think the group did eat the first day."



"In that sense he relates that all members of the group would eat meals in OC restaurants as follows: breakfast would be at the Millenium, situated slightly away from the residential block where they were lodged (close to the main street, the Lagos road, about 10 minutes on foot), while dinner would be at the Tapas restaurant, situated next to the swimming pools of their residential block.
.
The sole exception to this rule would be by the McCanns who would eat breakfast in their apartment, he considering that that was done due to the fact that they had three small children and the distance between [their flat] and the Millenium. Nevertheless he wished to point out that, on the night of 28 May the group had dined at Millenium as the Tapas was closed."


Matt:
"- he woke up about 06h30/07h00 going to take breakfast at Millennium at 08h00 with his wife and daughter. He does not recall who [else] was with them. He knows that GM, KM and their children did not breakfast there because they always did that in their apartment.
Regarding the other group members he cannot remember who was in the Millennium that morning. He is sure that he was not accompanied by the whole group given that they were not always accompanied by the same people during this meal - thinking that only DP or ROB would have been there with their respective children.
Adding that as each day passed there were fewer group members who went there for breakfast, opting to have it in their apartments, due to the distance of the restaurant from their residences.[/color]"


Russell:
"On 3rd May, the day of Madeleines disappearance they all (except for the McCanns who stayed in their apartment) has breakfast at the Millenium at 08.00."

Rachael:
"After breakfast, taken between 8 and 9 am in the Millennium restaurant, she takes her daughter to the Kids Club, about 10 minutes walk from the apartment. The other couples do exactly the same thing, with the exception of Gerry and Kate McCann who have breakfast in their apartment"











Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 12, 2018, 08:03:03 AM
I might have one of those mixed up but looking for the word "Breakfast" I came across several  statements that expressed an element of danger in the walk to the Millennium Restaurant.  That is particularly interesting if we were looking for a place where a child could get injured.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 12, 2018, 10:28:32 AM
I was going to look at the arrangements for lunch, but they aren't going to be related to the Millennium.

Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: G-Unit on March 12, 2018, 10:33:24 AM
The PJ decided to interview all the people working at the Ocean Club. That allowed them to find out who worked when, what they might have heard or seen, and where they all were on the evening of 3rd May.

I think it's more interesting to look at those who weren't interviewed in the early days. John and Donna Hill and Emma Knight in particular.  Why were they left out?
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 12, 2018, 10:53:08 AM
The PJ decided to interview all the people working at the Ocean Club. That allowed them to find out who worked when, what they might have heard or seen, and where they all were on the evening of 3rd May.

I think it's more interesting to look at those who weren't interviewed in the early days. John and Donna Hill and Emma Knight in particular.  Why were they left out?
There are so few statements mentioning them you can't do research on them.  Where as here we have 25 statements some mention the McCanns and  most of those are uncertain who the McCanns were.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: G-Unit on March 12, 2018, 11:15:59 AM
There are so few statements mentioning them you can't do research on them.  Where as here we have 25 statements some mention the McCanns and  most of those are uncertain who the McCanns were.

A lot of the office staff, cleaners, maintenance men and gardeners didn't know who the McCanns were either.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: jassi on March 12, 2018, 11:24:00 AM
A lot of the office staff, cleaners, maintenance men and gardeners didn't know who the McCanns were either.

Why should they? The McCanns only because celebrities after the event.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 12, 2018, 11:36:11 AM
A lot of the office staff, cleaners, maintenance men and gardeners didn't know who the McCanns were either.
What I meant was that those that mentioned the McCanns were not describing the McCanns but the other in the Tapas 7 group.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: G-Unit on March 12, 2018, 01:10:44 PM
What I meant was that those that mentioned the McCanns were not describing the McCanns but the other in the Tapas 7 group.

Not all the Tapas staff knew who was who either. One of them thought he saw the missing child's father searching the complex, but I don't think it was.

It made sense to interview all staff, no matter where they worked in my opinion.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 12, 2018, 05:58:02 PM
Not all the Tapas staff knew who was who either. One of them thought he saw the missing child's father searching the complex, but I don't think it was.

It made sense to interview all staff, no matter where they worked in my opinion.
I think I have discovered a big hole in the investigation - the supermarket.  Did any of the staff at the supermarket get interviewed?
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: slartibartfast on March 12, 2018, 06:27:02 PM
I think I have discovered a big hole in the investigation - the supermarket.  Did any of the staff at the supermarket get interviewed?

Why would they be?
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 12, 2018, 06:43:35 PM
Why would they be?
Did the supermarket staff have contact with the kids when the parents went shopping for food and other items?  They interviewed the restaurant staff yet they had virtually no contact with the McCann other that the first night and the first breakfast next morning.  Yet the visits to the supermarket seems more like a daily affair.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: slartibartfast on March 12, 2018, 06:50:48 PM
Did the supermarket staff have contact with the kids when the parents went shopping for food and other items?  They interviewed the restaurant staff yet they had virtually no contact with the McCann other that the first night and the first breakfast next morning.  Yet the visits to the supermarket seems more like a daily affair.

If you want to interview the entire population of PdL fine.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 12, 2018, 06:59:09 PM
If you want to interview the entire population of PdL fine.
I was looking to see the reason the PJ spent an enormous amount of time interviewing staff who had absolutely no contact with the McCanns yet didn't interview the staff at the supermarket where the McCanns bought items on a daily basis.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 12, 2018, 07:39:05 PM
SiL confirms the walk to the Millennium would be hazardous.  https://shininginluz.wordpress.com/2017/03/06/madeleine-v-the-double-buggy/
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Eleanor on March 12, 2018, 08:03:49 PM
SiL confirms the walk to the Millennium would be hazardous.  https://shininginluz.wordpress.com/2017/03/06/madeleine-v-the-double-buggy/

It wasn't hazardous in particular.  It was just a long way with three small children.

Why should this be even remotely peculiar?

Could we at least have a bit of common bleeding sense.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 12, 2018, 08:09:41 PM
It wasn't hazardous in particular.  It was just a long way with three small children.

Why should this be even remotely peculiar?

Could we at least have a bit of common bleeding sense.
I described it before, with the twins going off in different directions and Madeleine doing her own thing walking the kids along a foot path with cars parked on the curb so you had to walk around them onto a busy road was definitely hazardous.  And they had to cross this busy road too.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Eleanor on March 12, 2018, 08:14:15 PM
I described it before, with the twins going off in different directions and Madeleine doing her own thing walking the kids along a foot path with cars parked on the curb so you had to walk around them onto a busy road was definitely hazardous.  And they had to cross this busy road too.

Rob, I love you to death, but please don't make it up as you go along.  I could get quite cross if you continue to do this.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 12, 2018, 08:16:57 PM
Rob, I love you to death, but please don't make it up as you go along.  I could get quite cross if you continue to do this.
Read the file!  What I said is the picture from reading the file.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Eleanor on March 12, 2018, 08:33:24 PM
Read the file!  What I said is the picture from reading the file.

I now require a Cite.  Or if you don't have one, I will be Deleting.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 12, 2018, 09:04:58 PM
I now require a Cite.  Or if you don't have one, I will be Deleting.
I had already copied all the cites from the Tapas 7 describing the troubles they had bringing the kids to the Millennium  http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=9249.msg450986#msg450986

There isn't one cite detailing all the troubles but if you add them up you can come up with "the twins going off in different directions and Madeleine doing her own thing walking the kids along a foot path with cars parked on the curb so you had to walk around them onto a busy road was definitely hazardous.  And they had to cross this busy road too."


I have highlighted all the relevant passages in red. on post  http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=9249.msg450986#msg450986
 The distance is emphasised as well.
It was my impression "obstructions on the pavement " were cars parked on the footpath.  like this.
(https://communityseverance.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/14.jpg)
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 12, 2018, 09:51:37 PM
deleted post on wrong thread
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Carana on March 13, 2018, 08:42:33 AM
I was looking to see the reason the PJ spent an enormous amount of time interviewing staff who had absolutely no contact with the McCanns yet didn't interview the staff at the supermarket where the McCanns bought items on a daily basis.

Fair question, although I haven't double-checked to see if any of the supermarket staff were interviewed or not.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Carana on March 13, 2018, 08:49:42 AM
If you want to interview the entire population of PdL fine.

I can see Rob's point on this one, although I doubt that supermarket staff would pay much attention to anyone in the shop unless something unusual had happened.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 13, 2018, 10:18:05 AM
I can see Rob's point on this one, although I doubt that supermarket staff would pay much attention to anyone in the shop unless something unusual had happened.
How do we know that Tannerman or Smithman was not an employee at the supermarket?  What I don't get at the moment is how does all this witness statement taking actually identifies a perpetrator?  The PJ could go into the supermarket with a photo of Kate McCann and ask "did you serve this woman?" Did she have her kids with her?  The McCanns may have had checkout receipts so the PJ could have some way of double checking truthfulness.  It is so close to the apartments if some male or couple even had designs on taking Madeleine they could just about keep an eye on the McCanns from the supermarket.  Apparently the PJ considered whether it was possible to spy on the McCanns from the unit next door, not sure which side though.  Something to assess when I get there I suppose.

Currently I think all the witness statements are designed just to build a case against the McCanns.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Carana on March 13, 2018, 10:51:41 AM
How do we know that Tannerman or Smithman was not an employee at the supermarket?  What I don't get at the moment is how does all this witness statement taking actually identifies a perpetrator?  The PJ could go into the supermarket with a photo of Kate McCann and ask "did you serve this woman?" Did she have her kids with her?  The McCanns may have had checkout receipts so the PJ could have some way of double checking truthfulness.  It is so close to the apartments if some male or couple even had designs on taking Madeleine they could just about keep an eye on the McCanns from the supermarket.  Apparently the PJ considered whether it was possible to spy on the McCanns from the unit next door, not sure which side though.  Something to assess when I get there I suppose.

Currently I think all the witness statements are designed just to build a case against the McCanns.


I don't, in fact.

The first round of statements, IMO, was just an attempt at getting some potentially useful information within the shortest time possible in the light of an emergency situation, with officers who may have never had that kind of situation to deal with and, I suspect, whoever they found at short notice available to interpret.

I find that understandable.

What I find less understandable is why some don't make any allowances for potential misunderstandings in that chaotic period.

My impression is that the first statements read like an adaptation of a burglary claim, as opposed to even a semblance of a cognitive interview. And that's not a criticism: AFAIK, there was no missing child protocol and the emergency was to try to find her ASAP.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 13, 2018, 10:56:46 AM

I don't, in fact.

The first round of statements, IMO, was just an attempt at getting some potentially useful information within the shortest time possible in the light of an emergency situation, with officers who may have never had that kind of situation to deal with and, I suspect, whoever they found at short notice available to interpret.

I find that understandable.

What I find less understandable is why some don't make any allowances for potential misunderstandings in that chaotic period.

My impression is that the first statements read like an adaptation of a burglary claim, as opposed to even a semblance of a cognitive interview. And that's not a criticism: AFAIK, there was no missing child protocol and the emergency was to try to find her ASAP.
That is the Tapas 9  statements (when you talk about the first round) but I was thinking of all the Ocean Club employees what was the point of the questioning all of them? 
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: G-Unit on March 13, 2018, 12:59:01 PM
That is the Tapas 9  statements (when you talk about the first round) but I was thinking of all the Ocean Club employees what was the point of the questioning all of them?

To see where people were and what they were doing, of course. Why you don't understand that I don't know.

Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 13, 2018, 05:25:21 PM
p[
To see where people were and what they were doing, of course. Why you don't understand that I don't know.
What purpose?  Would they have been involved with an abduction or was it to see if they had clues about the behaviour of a certain group?
OK we would have to admit that the staff at the Millennium knew virtually nothing about the McCanns because they only went there twice early on in the week.  Do you agree with me on that one?
Tell me what do you think is the purpose of the questioning?   Was that purpose reflected in the type of questioning they were given.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: jassi on March 13, 2018, 05:44:17 PM
p[What purpose?  Would they have been involved with an abduction or was it to see if they had clues about the behaviour of a certain group?
OK we would have to admit that the staff at the Millennium knew virtually nothing about the McCanns because they only went there twice early on in the week.  Do you agree with me on that one?
Tell me what do you think is the purpose of the questioning?   Was that purpose reflected in the type of questioning they were given.

Did the PJ know that at the time of interview or did it only become known later?
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: G-Unit on March 13, 2018, 05:44:52 PM
p[What purpose?  Would they have been involved with an abduction or was it to see if they had clues about the behaviour of a certain group?
OK we would have to admit that the staff at the Millennium knew virtually nothing about the McCanns because they only went there twice early on in the week.  Do you agree with me on that one?
Tell me what do you think is the purpose of the questioning?   Was that purpose reflected in the type of questioning they were given.

It had the same purpose as interviewing a cleaner who worked at the other end of the resort, nothing different.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 13, 2018, 06:01:48 PM
if we take the first on the alphabetical list http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/ALEXANDER_SOUSA.htm and see what type of questions were being asked.
"She works as a waitress in the Millenium restaurant, OC. She says that this place is about 500 metres away from the apartment block where the events occurred."
I find that first sentence totally biased against the McCanns "500 metres away from the apartment block where the events occurred"  The witness would not know where the events occurred.  That has to be the words of the inspector IMO.
OK i would accept "500 metres away from the apartment block Ocean Gardens block 5G."  but did she say that?  Why did she say 500 metres, was she asked how far away is Ocean Gardens block 5G from the Millennium?

Next bit "She works from 16.00 to 24.00 daily with the exception of Mondays and Thursdays which are her days off. Her functions are to attend to clients at their tables and on the balcony." 
So she wasn't at work that night is that right?  No hang on she came there.  "She heard about the events on the same day at about 22.30 when she was at the restaurant bar where she works, relaxing with her mother and sister."  OK so she has an alibi.

There might have  been a question about how did you hear about it?
And did you participate in the search?  "her sister did take part in the searches, together with her boyfriend."  No names for cross referencing so not really gathering evidence.  Who was her sister, who was her boyfriend, do they admit going out on the search?  Was she telling the truth?
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 13, 2018, 06:05:10 PM
It had the same purpose as interviewing a cleaner who worked at the other end of the resort, nothing different.
If that cleaner had been in the apartment that might be really important.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 13, 2018, 06:11:26 PM
Did the PJ know that at the time of interview or did it only become known later?
They had interviewed Kate on the 4th.  Does she mention it?
Yes she does: "The day after their arrival, they went for breakfast at around 7.30/8.30 at the Ocean Club, in a bar situated some distance from the apartment. On the following days, because the bar was quite far away, they started buying supplies from the "BAPTISTE" supermarket, located on the same road as the apartment and they had their first meal of the day in the apartment."

So from the very moment the focus needed to be on the Baptista Supermarket not the Millennium IMO.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: G-Unit on March 13, 2018, 06:26:56 PM
If that cleaner had been in the apartment that might be really important.

Until you interview them all you can't know, can you? Have you read all the Millenium statements? Do you know who 'Steve' was, and what was interesting about him? Do you know why Luis Barros was phoned at 10.59? Do you know which searchers arrived at the Millenium on 3rd? Me and the PJ know.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 13, 2018, 06:48:01 PM
Until you interview them all you can't know, can you? Have you read all the Millenium statements? Do you know who 'Steve' was, and what was interesting about him? Do you know why Luis Barros was phoned at 10.59? Do you know which searchers arrived at the Millenium on 3rd? Me and the PJ know.
Is that important to know that?  Madeleine is already missing by that stage?

"When asked he says that on a date he cannot remember, the group, just the adults because the children were dining with the nannies, had been too late in making their dinner reservation at the Tapas, and an exception was made, authorised by his boss Steve, as the Tapas only provides for 20 dinners for half board clients as was the case." 

Who's boss?  "LUIS MIGUEL DE SOUSA BARROS's boss Steve.  You know Steve. 
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Carana on March 13, 2018, 06:50:21 PM
They had interviewed Kate on the 4th.  Does she mention it?
Yes she does: "The day after their arrival, they went for breakfast at around 7.30/8.30 at the Ocean Club, in a bar situated some distance from the apartment. On the following days, because the bar was quite far away, they started buying supplies from the "BAPTISTE" supermarket, located on the same road as the apartment and they had their first meal of the day in the apartment."

So from the very moment the focus needed to be on the Baptista Supermarket not the Millennium IMO.

Don't forget the one or more people had contacted or been to the Millenium to either announce that she was missing or to check whether anyone had seen her.

And, as employees of the same entity, some people might have heard something potentially useful via the grapevine.

I have no problem with that. Plus, at the time, the PJ may not have been aware that the McCanns didn't have breakfast there every morning.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 13, 2018, 06:59:09 PM
Don't forget the one or more people had contacted or been to the Millenium to either announce that she was missing or to check whether anyone had seen her.

And, as employees of the same entity, some people might have heard something potentially useful via the grapevine.

I have no problem with that. Plus, at the time, the PJ may not have been aware that the McCanns didn't have breakfast there every morning.
The ones with information can come forward.  G-unit has brought up an interesting situation of Luis  talking to Steve "his boss" but there is no file from Steve.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 13, 2018, 07:13:31 PM
Is that important to know that?  Madeleine is already missing by that stage?

"When asked he says that on a date he cannot remember, the group, just the adults because the children were dining with the nannies, had been too late in making their dinner reservation at the Tapas, and an exception was made, authorised by his boss Steve, as the Tapas only provides for 20 dinners for half board clients as was the case." 

Who's boss?  "LUIS MIGUEL DE SOUSA BARROS's boss Steve.  You know Steve.
It seems the Steve denies having anything to do with the MCanns http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/STEVEN_COVA.htm

That does seem to be a contradiction between "authorised by his boss Steve,"  and Steve saying he saying "He never had any contact with the girl or her family before the disappearance and heard about them from the press."
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: G-Unit on March 13, 2018, 07:18:24 PM
The ones with information can come forward.  G-unit has brought up an interesting situation of Luis  talking to Steve "his boss" but there is no file from Steve.

This thread seems to be just about you criticising the PJ for interviewing the Millenium employees because in your opinion it wasn't necessary. I have a different opinion and I'm not going to change it. Stalemate.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 13, 2018, 07:25:36 PM
This thread seems to be just about you criticising the PJ for interviewing the Millenium employees because in your opinion it wasn't necessary. I have a different opinion and I'm not going to change it. Stalemate.
The game goes on.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Carana on March 13, 2018, 08:01:14 PM
It seems the Steve denies having anything to do with the MCanns http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/STEVEN_COVA.htm

That does seem to be a contradiction between "authorised by his boss Steve,"  and Steve saying he saying "He never had any contact with the girl or her family before the disappearance and heard about them from the press."

What did Steve authorise regarding the T9 and when?
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 13, 2018, 08:11:53 PM
What did Steve authorise regarding the T9 and when?
Luis says Steve authorised the Tapas 9 going to the Tapas restaurant even though there was a suggestion it was against the rules.  LUIS MIGUEL DE SOUSA BARROS http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/LUIS_BARROS.htm

"When asked he says that on a date he cannot remember, the group, just the adults because the children were dining with the nannies, had been too late in making their dinner reservation at the Tapas, and an exception was made, authorised by his boss Steve, as the Tapas only provides for 20 dinners for half board clients as was the case.

He think that this request was made in order to be close to the children who had their meals with the nannies, and to be close to the apartments."

But Steve seems to deny any involvement.
It is uncertain when, but it may have been the Thursday night.  There was an interview with the McCanns and there was a bit of uncertainty about whether they were going that night.  It wasn't exactly a wink wink nudge nudge but some sort of ducking was going on.  I would have no idea which YT that was in now but someone will surely remember it.

Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: sadie on March 14, 2018, 12:49:51 AM
They had interviewed Kate on the 4th.  Does she mention it?
Yes she does: "The day after their arrival, they went for breakfast at around 7.30/8.30 at the Ocean Club, in a bar situated some distance from the apartment. On the following days, because the bar was quite far away, they started buying supplies from the "BAPTISTE" supermarket, located on the same road as the apartment and they had their first meal of the day in the apartment."

So from the very moment the focus needed to be on the Baptista Supermarket not the Millennium IMO.
I totally agree with you, Rob

Seems that virtually daily visits were made there.  It only took one very nice ?lady to give sweeties to the little ones each day for her to become a lovely friend to them ... some one that they would trust.

Such a person could be very useful in an abduction .... the lifter, maybe ?

The Millenium staff didn't have the chance to  get to know the Mccann family .  Just one trip up there wasn't it?

AIMO
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 14, 2018, 04:40:48 AM
Was it along Rua do Ramalhete that the blood was found?
http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=7422.msg344460#msg344460  (great thread)

On Rua 1 Maio, about 400 metres north from Rua do Ramalhete
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Carana on March 14, 2018, 10:30:18 AM
Luis says Steve authorised the Tapas 9 going to the Tapas restaurant even though there was a suggestion it was against the rules.  LUIS MIGUEL DE SOUSA BARROS http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/LUIS_BARROS.htm

"When asked he says that on a date he cannot remember, the group, just the adults because the children were dining with the nannies, had been too late in making their dinner reservation at the Tapas, and an exception was made, authorised by his boss Steve, as the Tapas only provides for 20 dinners for half board clients as was the case.

He think that this request was made in order to be close to the children who had their meals with the nannies, and to be close to the apartments."

But Steve seems to deny any involvement.
It is uncertain when, but it may have been the Thursday night.  There was an interview with the McCanns and there was a bit of uncertainty about whether they were going that night.  It wasn't exactly a wink wink nudge nudge but some sort of ducking was going on.  I would have no idea with YT that was in now but someone will surely remember it.

I still don't see the issue.

They went to the Millenium on the Sat. Sun was at the Tapas. One of them (Rachael?) went to negotiate a block booking for the rest of the week. Luis contacts Steve to check if it was ok if a group of 9 block-booked. Steve replies back that it was ok. End of involvement.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 14, 2018, 05:26:03 PM
I still don't see the issue.

They went to the Millenium on the Sat. Sun was at the Tapas. One of them (Rachael?) went to negotiate a block booking for the rest of the week. Luis contacts Steve to check if it was ok if a group of 9 block-booked. Steve replies back that it was ok. End of involvement.
Potentially that is how it could have been except on the days you suggest, Steve was out of the country (if I remember correctly) so wasn't around to give this approval.
Therefore it is not necessarily a solution to the situation.    Even in your proposed scenario, suggested as a solution, we would expect  Steve to admit he approved the block booking, but he doesn't.  Therefore that is an unresolved issue that remains IMO and the PJ don't do any cross checking of the facts they are inserting into the statements IMO.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Carana on March 15, 2018, 09:35:59 AM
Potentially that is how it could have been except on the days you suggest, Steve was out of the country (if I remember correctly) so wasn't around to give this approval.
Therefore it is not necessarily a solution to the situation.    Even in your proposed scenario, suggested as a solution, we would expect  Steve to admit he approved the block booking, but he doesn't.  Therefore that is an unresolved issue that remains IMO and the PJ don't do any cross checking of the facts they are inserting into the statements IMO.

Why do you find it important? It doesn't appear as if he was asked.

He does say he was out of Portugal from the Sunday to the Wednesday, but Luis could have sent him an SMS to check.

He was back on the day she disappeared, so it's hardly as if he'd denied being in the country that day.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 15, 2018, 10:27:08 AM
Why do you find it important? It doesn't appear as if he was asked.

He does say he was out of Portugal from the Sunday to the Wednesday, but Luis could have sent him an SMS to check.

He was back on the day she disappeared, so it's hardly as if he'd denied being in the country that day.
All I am saying is that I don't feel the inconsistency is eliminated properly.  There could be a adequate explanation but it isn't in the file as we have it.
If he approved the block booking he is involved but so far he has denied it.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Carana on March 15, 2018, 11:30:57 AM
All I am saying is that I don't feel the inconsistency is eliminated properly.  There could be a adequate explanation but it isn't in the file as we have it.
If he approved the block booking he is involved but so far he has denied it.

What he is reported to have stated is:

"He never had any contact with the girl or her family before the disappearance and heard about them from the press."

Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 15, 2018, 11:36:59 AM
What he is reported to have stated is:

"He never had any contact with the girl or her family before the disappearance and heard about them from the press."
Well I'm saying approving a block booking for them is a form of contact.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: jassi on March 15, 2018, 11:40:18 AM
Well I'm saying approving a block booking for them is a form of contact.

Well it might be if he was told their name, but why should he be told this? If it was a phone conversation ll he would to know was that it was a group of 9.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 15, 2018, 11:47:46 AM
Well it might be if he was told their name, but why should he be told this? If it was a phone conversation ll he would to know was that it was a group of 9.
Well that is your view, but it is not a fact as far as I know.  There was crash on the road outside my house, I spoke to one of the drivers,  I don't know his name and he doesn't know mine , but we had contact.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: jassi on March 15, 2018, 11:57:45 AM
Well that is your view, but it is not a fact as far as I know.  There was crash on the road outside my house, I spoke to one of the drivers,  I don't know his name and he doesn't know mine , but we had contact.

But would he know who he had contact with?  If he was speaking to his underling rather than a member of the group, then he had no contact with the group. Unless he spoke to McCann personally, he wouldn't realise that he was part of the group. Remember, McCanns weren't famous or even notable until after the event.

IMO
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 15, 2018, 04:55:03 PM
But would he know who he had contact with?  If he was speaking to his underling rather than a member of the group, then he had no contact with the group. Unless he spoke to McCann personally, he wouldn't realise that he was part of the group. Remember, McCanns weren't famous or even notable until after the event.

IMO
Exactly but once the PJ find that Steve had contact they need to follow it up.'





Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: jassi on March 15, 2018, 05:06:13 PM
Exactly but once the PJ find that Steve had contact they need to follow it up.'

I disagree.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 15, 2018, 05:11:10 PM
I disagree.
Not only that but to follow-up the apparent in house rule breaking that was going on.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: jassi on March 15, 2018, 05:21:31 PM
Not only that but to follow-up the apparent in house rule breaking that was going on.

Not a police matter.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 15, 2018, 05:38:35 PM
Not a police matter.
IMO if you are trying to track down a root cause of an issue any evidence of people breaking in house rules is worth following up.  OK the police won't prosecute for breaking the house rules but they need to find out if there are more issues in the area.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: jassi on March 15, 2018, 06:02:25 PM
IMO if you are trying to track down a root cause of an issue any evidence of people breaking in house rules is worth following up.  OK the police won't prosecute for breaking the house rules but they need to find out if there are more issues in the area.

IMO you are obsessed over a trivial inconsequential.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 15, 2018, 06:06:07 PM
IMO you are obsessed over a trivial inconsequential.
You have called it "inconsequential" without evidence.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 15, 2018, 11:54:21 PM
You have called it "inconsequential" without evidence.
Kate did not think the fact the the Tapas 9 had a block booking and were going to leave their kids alone being written in a book at the Tapas reception was inconsequential.
 
From “Madeleine” by Kate McCann:
 
"It wasn’t until a year later, when I was combing through the Portuguese police files, that I discovered that the note requesting our block booking was written in a staff message book, which sat on a desk at the pool reception for most of the day. This book was by definition accessible to all staff and, albeit unintentionally, probably to guests and visitors, too. To my horror, I saw that, no doubt in all innocence and simply to explain why she was bending the rules a bit, the receptionist had added the reason for our request: we wanted to eat close to our apartments as we were leaving our young children alone there and checking on them intermittently. "
thanks to G-unit http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=6281.msg413103#msg413103
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 16, 2018, 04:35:49 AM
http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=6281.msg413388#msg413388

"Here's an interesting snippet;

When asked he says that on a date he cannot remember, the group, just the adults because the children were dining with the nannies, had been too late in making their dinner reservation at the Tapas, and an exception was made, authorised by his boss Steve, as the Tapas only provides for 20 dinners for half board clients as was the case.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/LUIS_BARROS.htm

Steve was the Catering Manager, based at the Millenium but he oversaw all the on-site restaurants. He was absent from Portugal between Sunday 29th April and Wednesday 2nd May, so when was the exception requested and granted?
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/STEVEN_COVA.htm"
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 16, 2018, 05:38:01 AM
http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=6281.msg413599#msg413599

"This topic is so important.  If the Tapas 9 were not given permission to make the block booking for the week, which seems to have gone against OC policy, Madeleine may not have gone missing.  The diary note is made by the receptionist, presumably to confirm this decision was approved by her manager (who was away but still contactable or did someone else approve of it?)
What is also clear it was not Mr McCann who insisted on making the block booking which seemed to contravene some prior arrangement between MW and the OC.
Did this apparent favouritism shown to the Tapas 9 upset other guests who would have liked to do the same?"

There is road rage, so is there such a thing a "restaurant rage"?
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 16, 2018, 05:52:07 AM
http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=6281.msg413618#msg413618

"There are no copies of the booking sheets for 29th or 30th April in the public files. The booking sheet for 3rd May has a couple of handwritten notes "autorizo(da) Steve"  - Steve being the person who authorised the McCann group booking.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/T/03_VOLUME_IIIa_Page_608.jpg "

This could well be the reference we were looking for.  The notes are not alongside the Tapas 9 group.  I don't understand why those other entries would have to be approved.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: G-Unit on March 16, 2018, 07:52:13 AM
Kate did not think the fact the the Tapas 9 had a block booking and were going to leave their kids alone being written in a book at the Tapas reception was inconsequential.
 
From “Madeleine” by Kate McCann:
 
"It wasn’t until a year later, when I was combing through the Portuguese police files, that I discovered that the note requesting our block booking was written in a staff message book, which sat on a desk at the pool reception for most of the day. This book was by definition accessible to all staff and, albeit unintentionally, probably to guests and visitors, too. To my horror, I saw that, no doubt in all innocence and simply to explain why she was bending the rules a bit, the receptionist had added the reason for our request: we wanted to eat close to our apartments as we were leaving our young children alone there and checking on them intermittently. "
thanks to G-unit http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=6281.msg413103#msg413103

Like many of the happenings that week, the simple matter of booking a table becomes a complicated puzzle. Was it Russell and his daughter or Rachael who booked it? Was there really a note in the files?

When the table was reserved, nothing was mentioned about checking on the children and the only concern was in accommodating the entire group.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/TIAGO_BARREIROS.htm

She remembers that on Sunday 29th April one of the elements of the group arrived with the child Madeleine McCann, she does not know his name and can only say that he was male and tall and thin and that he approached her to request a booking for the whole group, for the whole week and always at 20.30.

When questioned, she confirms that the man was not the father of the girl but one of the members of the group whom was often seen in his company.

The man justified his request by saying that the group had many small children whom they would leave alone when they went to dine. She said that at intervals some two parents would go to the apartments to see if everything was OK.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/LUISA_COUTINHO.htm
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Carana on March 16, 2018, 09:35:34 AM
http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=6281.msg413618#msg413618

"There are no copies of the booking sheets for 29th or 30th April in the public files. The booking sheet for 3rd May has a couple of handwritten notes "autorizo(da) Steve"  - Steve being the person who authorised the McCann group booking.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/T/03_VOLUME_IIIa_Page_608.jpg "

This could well be the reference we were looking for.  The notes are not alongside the Tapas 9 group.  I don't understand why those other entries would have to be approved.

Bookings later in the day than expected?
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 16, 2018, 11:01:41 AM
Gerry mentions something about Thursday evening. I wonder what went wrong with the block booking?

Gerry said: "I think the worst thing is we kind of almost thought about not going.  And er, and did.  We weren’t sure we were going to get into the tapas, remember, and…"
Madeleine, One Year On: Campaign For Change
http://www.gerrymccannsblogs.co.uk/Nigel/id453.htm

It only the Thursday night's booking form that has mention of approved by Steve.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Carana on March 16, 2018, 11:12:45 AM
Gerry mentions something about Thursday evening. I wonder what went wrong with the block booking?

Gerry said: "I think the worst thing is we kind of almost thought about not going.  And er, and did.  We weren’t sure we were going to get into the tapas, remember, and…"
Madeleine, One Year On: Campaign For Change
http://www.gerrymccannsblogs.co.uk/Nigel/id453.htm

It only the Thursday night's booking form that has mention of approved by Steve.

So someone from the T9 may have said that they weren't sure if they were going to maintain the block-booking that evening, but other people may have been waiting for confirmation, and Steve may have been consulted on 3 May, as to whether the other couples that he authorised could be accommodated if everyone decided to maintain their bookings.

Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: G-Unit on March 16, 2018, 12:56:36 PM
So someone from the T9 may have said that they weren't sure if they were going to maintain the block-booking that evening, but other people may have been waiting for confirmation, and Steve may have been consulted on 3 May, as to whether the other couples that he authorised could be accommodated if everyone decided to maintain their bookings.

There did seem to be some resentment about the group hogging the places at the Tapas. The Wilkins mentioned it;

Jeremy and Bridget had visited the Tapas bar on several occasions during which they noticed the group had reserved a table for every night of their holiday. This appeared to be contrary to the set down procedure of not booking a table any further than three days ahead.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/JEREMY_BRIGET.htm

Jane Tanner didn't seem all that comfortable with the block booking;

 I don’t think it would ever have crossed Russell and my mind to try and get a block booking....Thursday morning by the tennis, at the tennis, somebody in our tennis group had tried to book the Tapas and they couldn’t get in because it was already full......they’d been there at nine o’clock to book in and they still couldn’t get in.....

we did actually say ‘Oh shall we, shall we go somewhere different’.  And I think almost at that point we had considered it, but I think the problem was the kids were so tired after having such full days, I think it was more ‘Well it’s worked every other night’.  But I know definitely from my point of view I felt quite bad that we were taking this, you know, this block booking every night and it was affecting other people using it”.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/JANE_TANNER_RIGATORY.htm
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 16, 2018, 07:34:02 PM
Personally I feel it wrong to call this insignificant for we don't hear from the file just  how many others the Tapas 9's request for a block booking was having.  Were there others who were not getting their expectations met in spite of what seems a clear breach of some rule between the two companies,  Ocean Club and Mark Warner?  I would have liked the PJ to explore that rule more so we could see if others might have been annoyed enough to interfere.

I saw it on the road the other day, 2 cars had a minor scrape, 1 is damaged and the other driver drives off in the other direction.  The damaged vehicle's driver yelling profanities at the "hit and run" driver.

Even though we are supposed to be civilised civilisation breaks down even in times of minor incidences.  Who knows what the block booking was doing to other guys trying to impress their mates.

Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 16, 2018, 07:58:28 PM
The section from Jane's rogatory is a bit like that.  You'd wonder why there was this 20  places rule in the first place.  Was it to force people along to the less convenient Millennium restaurant.

http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/JANE_TANNER_RIGATORY.htm

"Reply    “’You’ve got to because’.  I think Russell and I are probably more sort of laid back and just go with the flow a bit, but some of the people on the holiday were quite sort of ‘Oh we’ll ask, we’ll get this’, you know, a bit like booking the Tapas Restaurant every night, I don’t think it would ever have crossed Russell and my mind to try and get a block booking, but, erm, you know, I think they sort of”.

4078    “Once somebody has you feel obliged to go along with it?”
 Reply    “Well, I think, yeah, I mean, and we actually did have a conversation, it’s one of those ‘What ifs’ as well, I can remember on the morning of the, Thursday morning by the tennis, at the tennis, somebody in our tennis group had tried to book the Tapas and they couldn’t get in because it was already full.  And I can remember thinking at that point, and I just felt, you know, ‘Good’, because they were bloomin’ awkward by booking it out.  And they were sort of saying well it’s a bit ridiculous that they couldn’t have got in because they’d booked, they’d tried to book in, you know, they’d been there at nine o’clock to book in and they still couldn’t get in.  So, we did, at that point, I can remember having this conversation was ‘Oh shall we go somewhere different’, but it never happened, but.  And Kate was, I think Kate was there then, I can’t remember who else, but we did actually say ‘Oh shall we, shall we go somewhere different’.  And I think almost at that point we had considered it, but I think the problem was the kids were so tired after having such full days, I think it was more ‘Well it’s worked every other night’.  But I know definitely from my point of view I felt quite bad that we were taking this, you know, this block booking every night and it was affecting other people using it”.

4078    “What were the other options then for eating, was there a good option close by?”
 Reply    “No, it was just the Millennium, well in terms of ones that you wouldn’t have to pay extra for, it was the Millennium, which didn’t really start until, I think it was half seven or something, so, you know, by that stage it was, we could have, we could have gone there, so I think.  And our kids are probably more, I don’t know, (inaudible) our kids as they are growing up, but we tend to drag our kids with us more, you know, they have never really had a certain bedtime as such, I think”.

4078    “So they adapted more?”
 Reply    “They adapt, they’re more adaptable, yeah.  But I think, I normally would have pushed that, but I think because Ella had had the complete, the night before, because she was so tired, so completely lost the plot, we thought ‘She’s tired, lets just, you know, stick with it as it is really’”.

4078    “And the holiday was all inclusive?”
 Reply    “Yeah”.

4078    “Does the Tapas come under that bracket?”
 Reply    “Yeah, yeah, that’s, that’s did, yeah”.

4078    “Right”.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 16, 2018, 08:00:28 PM
Does anyone explain the rule fully?
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: misty on March 16, 2018, 09:56:06 PM
Does anyone explain the rule fully?

Mark Warner had 20 covers at the Tapas.
Thomas Cook presumably had X number of covers.
Jonathan Markson presumably had Y number of covers covers.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 16, 2018, 10:14:33 PM
"Translations for 'half board' British English: half board /hɑːf bɔːd/ NOUN. If you stay at a hotel and have half board, your breakfast and evening meal are included in the price of your stay at the hotel, but not your lunch. The price includes half board, "

@0 of the half board Mark Warner clients daily, but the booking sheets don't come to anything like 20 and how do they track how many per travel agency? How may half board, full board, no board?
(http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/T/03_VOLUME_IIIa_Page_606.jpg)  on the face of it that adds up to more than 20 but only MW clients are on the list.??
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 16, 2018, 10:39:48 PM
Luisa Ana de Noronha de Azevedo Coutinho

Occupation: Receptionist

"She adds that this family (McCann), like all MW clients had half-board, that is breakfast and dinner. For dinner the guests could choose between two restaurants, the Tapas and the Millenium, the first being à la carte and the second a buffet service, clients make their choice not only because of the food but because of the proximity of the restaurant to their accommodation. She says that the guests told her that the Tapas was of better quality but that it was difficult to reserve there as a MW guest as the MW daily quota was of only 20.

In this concrete case the reasonable option was the Tapas as the distance was only 40 metres from the accommodation as opposed to 200 m from the Millenium."

"The man justified his request by saying that the group had many small children whom they would leave alone when they went to dine. She said that at intervals some two parents would go to the apartments to see if everything was OK.

The deponent made some comments about the request, saying that the Tapas received many requests and that MW only had a quota of 20 per day, but upon the insistence of the guest she managed to make the bookings requested."
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 16, 2018, 10:46:12 PM
http://themaddiecasefiles.com/mark-warner-ocean-club-staff-statements-t9-s50.html

"Tiago Rochas Barreiros"
"The nine individuals, including the family of the missing child, were included in the half pension regime. They had the right to dinner (a menu that included starter, main course, desert and drinks as listed). All aperitifs, and after dinner drinks were paid separately using the credit card.

That generally, it was always the same people that dined in the Tapas and who were registered for dinner. A list of all the people who dined at the Tapas from the arrival of the missing child’s family to 2007.05.04 has been handed over to the investigation."

I'm wondering why all the guests were MW clients.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 16, 2018, 10:50:48 PM
were the meals at the two restaurants identical as Vitor Manuel dos Santos says?

"He adds that this family booked from 28th April to 5th May on a half board basis, in other words, breakfast and dinner. For dinner the guests could choose between two options, the Tapas and the Millenium and although the meals are identical, the clients choose the restaurant according to its proximity to their accommodation."
In latter reviews the meals aren't described as being identical.
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 16, 2018, 11:04:33 PM
This post in another forum expresses the views in some reviews I read online about the Mark Warner holiday to Luz
https://jillhavern.forumotion.net/t4619-all-together-at-the-ocean-club

It has the sentiments I think could have been the among the other MW guests who are being forced to go to the Millennium.

"Imagine with an open mind we've all gone on a MW all-inclusive holiday to the OC.

We've all paid the same price.

On arrival we are told all the meals are half board and are at the Mill. The dinners are a self service buffet the usual variety of limp starters, a variety of hot/cold main courses (all warm). Red/white plonk and a selection of hot and cold desserts (all warm).

We are not greatly impressed but then we are told by the management there are 20 places available if we are eagerly prepared to queue every morning we can have a proper restaurant dinner with waiter service. There is a selection of fresh individually prepared starters, a selection of main courses, fillet steak etc, (cooked just how you like it) a selection of wines and wonderful desserts, followed by coffee and liqueurs.

So next morning bright and early we are eagerly queuing when a rumour sweeps the line. Only 10 places are available each night this week
Why, why, we cry.......,? we are told there is a VIP group who have grabbed the best dinners all week
Why, why, we cry....... ?

Oh, they are too lazy to walk to the Mill. Too tight to pay, £10 an hour for a MW baby sitter and are so into each other, they cannot bear to be apart to babysit their own kids on a rota basis, so you plebs don't matter.

Injustice, anger, disgruntlement sweep the queue, this is not fair, we have all paid the same and are entitled to the good grub, on an equality share basis.

We are British fair play after all!

We march on the management but MW are clever operators, as a commercial company dealing with the public, they don't want angry irate customers claiming favouritism and unfairness every morning. We are informed everyone is treated the same. Why would they pick 20 from 200 to upset the rest of the guests?
We are told they are happy if you eat at the Tapas, or anywhere else, if either you pay or somebody else pays out, not MW. So we are all to be treated by MW the same they tell us it is the only way they can do their costings.

As a result there are no angry crowds around the management desk every morning and no queues at the Tapas. We walk away in groups thinking its odd people have spent 100's of pounds for meals at the Mill and are now paying to eat somewhere else.

Some people thinks perhaps they don't care as the holiday is free to them." End quote.

OK it is imaginary but it could certainly happen for you sense the anger even in Jez' statement. Date: 05/11/07.

"Jeremy and Bridget had visited the Tapas bar on several occasions during which they noticed the group had reserved a table for every night of their holiday. This appeared to be contrary to the set down procedure of not booking a table any further than three days ahead. The group appeared boisterous but good natured with Gerry being the central figure. His gregarious character making him appear to be the central figure in the group and almost holding court. However they did notice that David Payne was equally gregarious and almost playing along with, if not up to, Gerry.

Jeremy and Bridget became aware that although the McCanns had taken up the use of the creche facility during the day, they had not done so for the evening hours and had left the children in the apartment but were checking on them regularly and that other members of the group appeared to be doing the same.
They expressed surprise over this as the McCanns apartment was set in a location that appeared vulnerable. They were aware that the apartment was a corner building and with easy access from the road. The apartments were not very secure and entry could easily be gained."



Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: G-Unit on March 17, 2018, 07:35:51 AM
On Thursday 3rd there were two bookings which seem to have been authorised by Steve; Bullen and Cox. According to Berry (Cox's partner) and Balu they took out a meal for 4 instead but there's no record of the Balu meals, just the Cox's two meals.

On Friday 4th there's a booking for Berry for 4 people with 'Take away' written against it. Did they get mixed up between Thursday and Friday?
Title: Re: Why did the PJ interview 25 staff from the Millenium restaurant?
Post by: Robittybob1 on March 17, 2018, 08:51:52 AM
On Thursday 3rd there were two bookings which seem to have been authorised by Steve; Bullen and Cox. According to Berry (Cox's partner) and Balu they took out a meal for 4 instead but there's no record of the Balu meals, just the Cox's two meals.

On Friday 4th there's a booking for Berry for 4 people with 'Take away' written against it. Did they get mixed up between Thursday and Friday?
I wouldn't have clue.  But I hope not as otherwise what they say they were doing on the Thursday night isn't right.