Exploring the reason why Dr Amaral wanted to exclude the Press from libel case.

[John]

Dr Gonçalo Amaral's lawyer told reporters outside the tribunal on the 12th September that he wanted to exclude reporters from the hearings in order to protect the integrity of the investigation.

Do you agree with his explanation or did he have an ulterior motive?

[ferryman]

Dr Gonçalo Amaral's lawyer told reporters outside the tribunal on the 12th September that he wanted to exclude reporters from the hearings in order to protect the integrity of the investigation.

Do you agree with his explanation or did he have an ulterior motive?

He frankly admitted that he wanted proceedings in camera to protect Madeleine lest Madeleine be alive.

I remain stunned that such a frank admission didn't lead to an immediate collapse of Amaral's defence, but it clearly didn't.

In respect of proceedings being in camera, I'm just questioning whether the McCanns have any say in the matter.

I'm not convinced they do.

[Rachel Granada]

Dr Gonçalo Amaral's lawyer told reporters outside the tribunal on the 12th September that he wanted to exclude reporters from the hearings in order to protect the integrity of the investigation.

Do you agree with his explanation or did he have an ulterior motive?

I think his justification was to "preserve Madeleine's memory" or something like that.  That's rubbish as he clearly doesn't give a stuff about Madeleine.

My take on it as that he knew what would be presented in evidence and didn't want Joe Public hearing about it.  Amaral is neither altruistic nor a man of honour or courage. 

[Sherlock Holmes]

Dr Gonçalo Amaral's lawyer told reporters outside the tribunal on the 12th September that he wanted to exclude reporters from the hearings in order to protect the integrity of the investigation.

Do you agree with his explanation or did he have an ulterior motive?

Doesn't make much sense to try to muzzle reportage and opinion when you consider that his argument is freedom of expression.

[DCI]

Doesn't make much sense to try to muzzle reportage and opinion when you consider that his argument is freedom of expression.

Well said Sherlock 

[Rachel Granada]

Doesn't make much sense to try to muzzle reportage and opinion when you consider that his argument is freedom of expression.

Good post, Sherlock.  Moriarty himself would have applauded you!

What you say is right.  If this is all about his freedom of expression, and if he is so sure of his case then why try to exclude the press?

Methinks there may be further revelations (as if the 3As business was not bad enough).

[DCI]

I think his justification was to "preserve Madeleine's memory" or something like that.  That's rubbish as he clearly doesn't give a stuff about Madeleine.

My take on it as that he knew what would be presented in evidence and didn't want Joe Public hearing about it.  Amaral is neither altruistic nor a man of honour or courage.

His lawyer said:

We asked to the court to deal with this trial behind closed doors to protect anything about the disappearance of Maddie McCann, because we don't know if the girl is dead or alive. And we asked that, the McCanns opposed that and want the publicity of the trial.

[Rachel Granada]

His lawyer said:

We asked to the court to deal with this trial behind closed doors to protect anything about the disappearance of Maddie McCann, because we don't know if the girl is dead or alive. And we asked that, the McCanns opposed that and want the publicity of the trial.

Cheers DCI.  Bit of a blooper from Amaral's lawyer there, eh!

[Sherlock Holmes]

Good post, Sherlock.  Moriarty himself would have applauded you!

What you say is right.  If this is all about his freedom of expression, and if he is so sure of his case then why try to exclude the press?

Methinks there may be further revelations (as if the 3As business was not bad enough).

Yep, it seems, so far, that this trial is merely serving to bring out the contradictions in the arguments of both sides.

It is hard to imagine that the victor will walk out of court with any considerable net gain, given the losses of face in the mean time.

Ironic in a case about reputation

[DCI]

Cheers DCI.  Bit of a blooper from Amaral's lawyer there, eh!

Just a bit. But since, when has Amaral wanted to protect anything about the disappearance of Madeleine?

[ferryman]

His lawyer said:

We asked to the court to deal with this trial behind closed doors to protect anything about the disappearance of Maddie McCann, because we don't know if the girl is dead or alive. And we asked that, the McCanns opposed that and want the publicity of the trial.

Thank you for the exact words, DCI.

Amaral's lawyer doesn't know whether Madeleine is dead or alive, and his client, Amaral, wants the right to say, not merely that Madeleine is dead, but that Kate and Gerry know she is dead, caused her death and launched a fraudulent fund in their (deceased!) daughter's name ...

Why is this trial continuing?

Does anyone know?

I sure as hell don't ...

[stephen25000]

Thank you for the exact words, DCI.

Amaral's lawyer doesn't know whether Madeleine is dead or alive, and his client, Amaral, wants the right to say, not merely that Madeleine is dead, but that Kate and Gerry know she is dead, caused her death and launched a fraudulent fund in their (deceased!) daughter's name ...

Why is this trial continuing?

Does anyone know?

I sure as hell don't ...

Well that's easy to answer.

The Mccann's want more money.

[ferryman]

In what sense is libel not proved when Amaral's own lawyer doesn't know whether Madeleine is alive or dead?

[Rachel Granada]

Yep, it seems, so far, that this trial is merely serving to bring out the contradictions in the arguments of both sides.

It is hard to imagine that the victor will walk out of court with any considerable net gain, given the losses of face in the mean time.

Ironic in a case about reputation

As with Bennett, Kate and Gerry McCann just want him to STOP, Sherlock.  It's not just the book and the film, Amaral has been touring round giving interviews to all and sundry promoting his lies.  They just want him to stop.

[Rachel Granada]

Just a bit. But since, when has Amaral wanted to protect anything about the disappearance of Madeleine?

Never.  He wanted Kate and Gerry McCann stitched up and when that failed he tried to make money.  He does not give a stuff about Madeleine McCann.