Maddy case may be re-opened by Theresa May, 04 July 2010

Maddy case may be re-opened by Theresa May Sunday Express By James Murray Sunday July 4, 2010 HOME Secretary Theresa May has asked to meet Kate and Gerry McCann, signalling she intends to tell them she will order a new investigation into their missing daughter Madeleine. Mrs May wrote to the McCanns last week asking them to come to the Home Office in what is being described as a "positive step" by department officials. A senior Home Office source said: "The Home Secretary has already exchanged letters with Kate and Gerry about the case and will be meeting them shortly to discuss how the investigation is being taken forward. It would not be appropriate to pre-empt that meeting or give details of the work." A new team of detectives, most likely from Scotland Yard, could soon get the mammoth task of raking over all files from Portuguese detectives, police in Leicestershire and private investigators. Since taking office, Mrs May has taken a close interest in the case. Her predecessor, Labour's Alan Johnson, last March ordered a costing of a review of evidence and the outline of how a new probe would work into finding out what happened to Madeleine, then three, of Rothley, Leics, who vanished from Praia da Luz on the Algarve in May 2007. Sources say that Mrs May felt Mr Johnson made the right decision and the internal report is almost complete. Mr Johnson acted after Jim Gamble, head of the Child Online and Protection Centre, wrote a report for the Home Office analysing police investigations here and in Portugal. His report, which has not been released publicly, outlines how a new approach could produce new leads. ---------------------------- Let's find missing Madeleine Sunday Express Opinion (paper edition) Sunday July 4, 2010 HOME Secretary Theresa May is right to call a meeting with Kate and Gerry McCann to discuss the disappearance of their daughter Madeleine. It is our sincere hope that Ms May will tell the McCanns that she has ordered a fresh Scotland Yard investigation into the case. It is long overdue. Right from the earliest days following Madeleine's disappearance in Portugal three years ago there have been questions about how the case has been handled. Jim Gamble, boss of the Child Exploitation & Online Protection Centre, has submitted a report that identifies the shortfalls and inconsistencies in the case. His file is with the Home Office and many close to the McCanns believe his recommendations will lead to the appointment of a senior detective and a team of officers who will reopen the case. So far, investigations have drawn a blank but there is still time for skilled officers to find out what really happened to little Madeleine. After all they have been through, we owe it to the McCanns.

Sunday Express: 'Is Scotland Yard about to reopen hunt for Maddy?' (paper edition), 04 July 2010

Is Scotland Yard about to reopen hunt for Maddy?

Opinion: Let's find missing Madeleine

McCanns set to meet Home Secretary, 04 July 2010

McCanns set to meet Home Secretary The Press Association (UKPA) - 11:15AM Sunday 04 July, 2010 Home Secretary Theresa May will meet with Kate and Gerry McCann to discuss how the search for their missing daughter Madeleine is progressing, the Home Office said. The meeting is being arranged following an exchange of letters between the couple and Mrs May in which the McCanns asked to see her, a Home Office spokesman said. Details of the meeting are still being confirmed, he added. The couple, from Rothley, Leicestershire, want a review of all the information in the hands of the British and Portuguese authorities. But the Metropolitan Police said it had no plans to reopen the investigation. Madeleine was nearly four when she went missing from her family's holiday flat in Praia da Luz in the Algarve, Portugal, on the night of May 3 2007 as her parents dined with friends nearby. Despite a massive police investigation and huge publicity worldwide, the little girl has still not been found.

The Sky News report below - which refers to a proposed meeting between Theresa May and the McCanns - mirrors many similar reports that have appeared in the UK media. It has been included here due to the extraordinary mistake in the final paragraph, where The Madeleine Foundation is credited with financing the continuing search for Madeleine. The original version (screenshot below) even contained a hotlink to The Madeleine Foundation website.

Kate And Gerry McCann To Meet Theresa May, 04 July 2010

Kate And Gerry McCann To Meet Theresa May Sky News Sarah Gordon, Sky News Online 5:01pm UK, Sunday July 04, 2010 Home secretary Theresa May will meet with Kate and Gerry McCann to discuss how the search for their daughter Madeleine is progressing. The Home Office announced the meeting will take place following an exchange of letters between Mrs May and the McCanns. Madeleine's parents requested to see the home secretary and details of the meeting are being confirmed, a Home Office spokeman said. The Leicestershire couple, whose daughter went missing from their holiday apartment in the Algarve, want a review of all the information in the hands of British and Portuguese authorities. Mrs May's interest in the case follows an internal review of evidence ordered by former Labour Home Secretary Alan Johnson last year. Mr Johnson wanted an outline of how a new investigation into Madeleine's disappearance might work. The report is understood to be almost complete and there is speculation that a fresh probe into the case could be ordered. However, the Metropolitan Police have said there are no plans to reopen the investigation. Madeleine was nearly four when she went missing in Praia da Luz in Portugal on May 3, 2007, while her parents dined with friends nearby. Mr and Mrs McCann were originally named as arguidos - or suspects - by Portuguese police and a senior officer involved in the inquiry wrote a damning book about the case. But, since their arguido status was lifted, the McCanns have campaigned to keep the search for their daughter going. Although both Portuguese and British police have closed their investigations, money raised by the The Madeleiene Foundation has been put towards hiring private investigators to continue the search. ------------------- Screenshot: ------------------------- Update: 7:30pm UK, Sunday July 04, 2010 The hotlink to The Madeleine Foundation website has been removed but the incorrect reference remains. Update: 6:31am UK, Monday July 05, 2010 The headline has changed from 'Theresa May' to 'Home Secretary' but the incorrect reference to The Madeleine Foundation remains, as previously. ------------------------------- Update: 8:24am UK, Monday July 05, 2010 - After 15 hours and 23 minutes, and a third update, the reference to The Madeleine Foundation is finally corrected. Note: The following paragraph was also amended from the original: Amended to: - Given that this information originated from a 'spokesman', but not from the Home Office, would appear to suggest that the source lay closer to the McCanns' home.

Maddie's family in May talks, 05 July 2010

Maddie's family in May talks The Sun (paper edition) Monday, July 5, 2010 HOME Secretary Theresa May is to meet Kate and Gerry McCann to see how she can help in the search for missing daughter Madeleine. The couple, both 42, asked for the face-to-face talks, more than three years after Maddie, three, disappeared from their holiday villa in Praia da Luz, Portugal. The McCanns, of Rothley, Leics, want a review of all information held by the British and Portuguese authorities.

New libel laws to protect freedom of the Press, 10 July 2010

New libel laws to protect freedom of the Press Daily Mail By Steve Doughty Last updated at 5:39 AM on 10th July 2010 Ministers yesterday promised new libel laws to loosen the grip of the courts on the work of academics, science authors and investigative journalists. They said current law is restricting freedom of expression and threatening researchers with unjust and costly court cases. The new legislation will also tackle 'libel tourism', the use of British courts to silence critics of the rich and powerful around the world. The pledge by Justice Minister Lord McNally came during a Lords debate on a Private Member's Bill. He said: 'We need investigative journalism and scientific research to be able to flourish without fear of unfounded, lengthy and costly defamation and libel cases. We want to focus on ensuring a right and a fair balance is struck between freedom of expression and the protection of reputation.' The Defamation Bill will be put before Parliament next year. It may also consider consider fees charged by lawyers in no-win no-fee libel cases. It follows rising concern among scientists, academics and publishers at restrictive decisions of British libel judges. In one recent case, a science writer found himself held to have libelled chiropractors after he wrote about 'bogus treatments' in a newspaper article. The case against journalist Simon Singh was ultimately thrown out by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, who said it threatened to turn the courts into an 'Orwellian Ministry of Truth'. Another case saw a British judge order all copies of a book by a Californian investigator on Saudi financing of terrorism be pulped - even though it had never been published in this country. The case encouraged the biggest U.S. states, including California, to bring in libel tourism laws to ensure they could counter the orders of judges in London. Lord McNally's announcement was swiftly welcomed by campaigners for reform. John Kampfner, the chief executive of Index on Censorship, said: 'Today the Government listened to the 52,000 people who backed the campaign to redesign our libel laws and have committed, for the first time in a century, to wholesale reform. 'Obviously we'll need to see how bold the Government will be - they must stop libel tourism, cut the obscene legal costs involved and give cast-iron protections to free speech.' Liberal Democrat Lord Lester of Herne Hill said that, while listening to the minister, he had 'wondered if I'm alive at all or whether I'm in Heaven, because I never thought to hear a reply of that kind'. The Government had indicated an 'open-mindedness for reform, a willingness to get on, a willingness to listen', he said. The Bill was given an unopposed second reading. Jonathan Heawood, the director of libel reform group English PEN, said afterwards: 'Until the Libel Reform Bill is actually passed, the right to free speech in this country will be conditional on writers or scientists having deep pockets or a willingness to fight for years through the courts. 'It should no longer be a matter for judges but Parliamentarians should decide on how we balance free expression and reputation.'

Analysis of the Disappearance of Madeleine McCann, 22 July 2010

'Analysis of the Disappearance of Madeleine McCann' by Daniela Prousa Amazon.de 22 July 2010 This new book debates whether the McCanns are victims or perpetrators in the disappearance of their daughter - based on a psychological investigation of their public appearances on media, TV, blog and webpage. Considerable effort has been made on the analysis of the blog entries, of their form, style and content. The author concludes that Madeleine died accidentally in the apartment following a fall from the couch, either immediately after the parents left the apartment or after Gerry's check. It is her conviction that it was Kate who found Madeleine and hid her initially, whereas Gerry only came in later in her support. _________________ http://unterdenteppichgekehrt.blogspot.com/

Maddie-truck crossed Belgium, 31 July 2010

Maddie-truck crossed Belgium Gazet Van Antwerpen 31 July 2010 The parents of Madeleine McCann never think about giving up the search for their missing daughter. They now have a truck, bearing a message to look for the girl, crossing through Europe. The ten ton truck even pulled by our country. The blonde girl disappeared three years ago on holiday in Portugal. Maddie was three years old at that time. -------------- Note: This appears to be something of a 'non-story'. The article below confirms that the 'ten ton truck' was actually an Eddie Stobart lorry - as previously seen in the UK - which just happened to be 'spotted' in Belgium. -------------------- Maddie-truck rumbles by Belgium Nieuwsblad Saturday 31 July 2010, 06h00 The parents of missing British girl Madeleine McCann continue to search for their daughter. Amongst the other British trucks, which drove by our country today, there was still one - three years after her disappearance - asking people to look for the little blonde girl who disappeared without trace, from the apartment of her parents, whilst on holiday in Portugal. The truck is travelling across Europe. Madeleine McCann was three-years-old when she disappeared.

Like Madeleine McCann, Another Little Girl Vanishes, 04 August 2010

Like Madeleine McCann, Another Little Girl Vanishes Sky News - Life of Crime Blog By Martin Brunt August 04, 2010 12:20 PM So far, the story has reached only a little further than the Geelong Advertiser, a morning paper in Victoria. But the circumstances of six-year-old Kiesha Abrahams's disappearance are likely to attract a far wider audience if Aussie detectives don't find her soon. Her mother said she tucked Kiesha in bed in the family home at 9.30 on Saturday night. The next morning the front door, thought to have been left unlocked, was ajar and Kiesha was missing. It's early days and there are many differences, but so far, like Madeleine McCann, another little girl appears to have vanished into thin air. ------------------------------- Related: Kiesha Abrahams press reports

Maddie hunt plea, 06 August 2010

Maddie hunt plea The Sun By ANTONELLA LAZZERI Published: Today (06 August, 2010) MISSING Madeleine McCann's parents have been given new hope after a secret meeting with the Home Secretary, The Sun can reveal. Kate and Gerry McCann spent more than an hour on Wednesday with Theresa May to beg the new government to help them. And they left the meeting "more optimistic than ever". A source close to the couple said: "They asked for help in furthering the hunt for Madeleine. They have not given up on her and they don't want the Government to either. They especially want help in putting pressure on the Portuguese government to agree to a joint British-Portuguese review of the case. "They feel there may be clues and leads that could have been missed." Just before the election in May, the couple met David Cameron who pledged that if elected Prime Minister he would do whatever he could to help them. A Home Office source said yesterday: "Kate and Gerry were given renewed hope that their daughter will be found. "With the might of the coalition Government behind them, they left looking more optimistic than ever that every effort is still being made to find Madeleine." Maddie went missing in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3, 2007, when she was three. A private investigation team employed by the McCanns now continues the hunt for her.

McCanns meet May in Madeleine probe, 06 August 2010

McCanns meet May in Madeleine probe The Press Association (UKPA) – 11:00am Kate and Gerry McCann have held talks with Home Secretary Theresa May to discuss the search for their missing daughter Madeleine. The couple used the meeting on Wednesday to appeal for extra help from the coalition Government to look for the little girl. It is more than three years since Madeleine disappeared from a holiday resort in southern Portugal. Mr and Mrs McCann, from Rothley, Leicestershire, want a full independent review of the police investigation into what happened to their daughter. They complained in February that they encountered "reluctance" when they asked the British authorities to re-examine all the information held by law enforcement agencies around the world. Mr McCann said: "I think people are reluctant to undertake a review because there's been difficult, sensitive issues. But Madeleine's rights should be put first. She's missing, she's innocent and whoever's taken her is still out there, and that has to be of paramount importance." A Home Office spokesman said: "The Home Secretary held a private meeting with Kate and Gerry McCann on Wednesday to discuss the case of their missing daughter Madeleine. The Government's primary concern in this matter is the wellbeing of Madeleine McCann and to ensure that everything feasible is being done to progress the search for her." Madeleine was three when she went missing from her family's holiday flat in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on May 3 2007 as her parents dined with friends nearby. Portuguese police launched a massive investigation with the support of British officers but the inquiry was formally shelved in July 2008 without reaching any firm conclusions about the child's fate. Private detectives employed by the McCanns are continuing to investigate the case. McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "I can confirm that Kate and Gerry met the Home Secretary on Wednesday to continue their discussions with the Government over what can be done to assist the search for Madeleine. As with all their private Governmental contacts, the details of the discussion with Theresa May will remain confidential."

No one wants to buy Maddie's Apartment, 08 August 2010

No one wants to buy Maddie's Apartment Diário de Notícias By JOSÉ MANUEL OLIVEIRA 08 August 2010 With thanks to Joana Morais for translation The property, belonging to an Englishwoman, was put on sale in 2008 for 200 thousand euros, but so far it is only out of curiousity that people have shown an interest in seeing the flat. Tours from the North of the country even include the place in their program itineraries. The apartment 5 A at the Ocean Club resort, in Praia Luz, Lagos, from where the 3-year-old English girl Madeleine McCann mysteriously disappeared whilst on vacation with her parents and twin siblings, also minors, on the night of May 3, 2007, remains closed and for sale since August 2008 for 200 thousand euros; even though the notice board with that information was removed. The worldwide media coverage surrounding the case does not "diminish nor increase" the property value of the T2 ground-floor apartment, situated about 200 metres from the beach, said the real estate investors to DN. ------------------------ Note: 'T2' is real estate jargon for a 2 bedroom apartment.

Cameron must help Kate and Gerry, 08 August 2010

Cameron must help Kate and Gerry The Sunday Post By Lorraine Kelly Sunday, 08 August 2010 I'VE been on holiday in Spain where there are still posters of Madeleine McCann on display. The search never stops for Maddie's parents, Kate and Gerry. They recently met Home Secretary Theresa May. Before he became prime minister David Cameron assured them he would do all he could. Now he has to make good on that promise. The McCanns are convinced new evidence would come to light if there was a review. It's more than three years since Madeleine went missing in Portugal and her family are more determined than ever to find her.

Englishman who photographed children at the beach arrested, 19 August 2010

Englishman who photographed children at the beach arrested Diário de Notícias By MIGUEL FERREIRA 19 August 2010 Parents complained. Tourist was arrested and his camera had several images of children between eight and 15 years A man suspected of photographing minors on the Marinotel beach, in Vilamoura, was arrested yesterday afternoon by the Maritime Police (PM). The intervention of the police was prompted by the complaints of three sets of parents who were concerned at the odd behaviour of the individual, a 48-year-old British citizen. According to a source from the South Maritime Zone Command, the complainants testified that "the man pointed his camera several times at children who were playing in the sand by the water." Without speaking to the suspect, at around 15:00, the parents of the children decided to call the Maritime Police to identify the man and to confirm whether the stranger was taking photos of minors without the consent of their parents. "'When the police arrived on the beach, they were able to see the man still taking photos," a Portuguese holidaymaker, who was on the beach, told DN. When approached, the Englishman, 49, did not resist the authorities request to view the memory card from the camera used to take the photographs, which he had in his hands. "We were able to verify the existence of many photographs of children aged between eight and 15" on that memory card, South Offshore Commander Marques Ferreira confirmed to DN. Thereupon, the individual was taken into custody by agents of the Maritime Police. In accordance with that which the PM found with the Judicial Police, the British citizen, who has no [criminal] record, was presented to the Public Prosecutor of Loulé. The defendant was constituted an arguido, but walked away free with conditions regarding his identity and residence [i.e. released on bail]. He should be heard by a judge today at 10.00am, again in the Criminal Court at Loulé. On the beach, apart from the parents who complained, few realized about the activities of the tourists and the police. This is the second recorded case of an adult photographing minors on Algarve beaches recorded in five days.

British tourist arrested for taking photos of eight-year-old children on Algarve beach, 20 August 2010

British tourist arrested for taking photos of eight-year-old children on Algarve beach Daily Mail By TOM WORDEN Last updated at 4:46 PM on 20th August 2010 A British tourist has been arrested on suspicion of taking photographs of children on a beach on the Algarve. The 48-year-old was held after three sets of parents noticed him taking pictures of youngsters. Police said they found a number of photos of children aged eight to 15 on his camera. He was arrested by officers from the Maritime Police on the Marinotel beach in the popular resort of Vilamoura at around 3pm on Thursday. The beach is around 50 miles east of Praia da Luz, the seaside village where  Madeleine McCann disappeared in May 2007. Commander Marques Ferreira said: 'A 48-year-old Englishman was seen  photographing children on the beach at Marinotel in Vilamoura and was arrested by the Maritime Police. 'We were able to verify the existence of many photographs of children aged  between eight and 15.' A police source said witnesses claimed 'the man pointed his camera several  times at children who were playing in the sand by the water'. A Portuguese holidaymaker told newspaper Diario de Noticias: 'When the police arrived on the beach, they were able to see the man still taking photos.' The suspect, who has not been named, was due to appear at a court in the nearby  town of Loule this morning. Police made him an 'arguido' or formal suspect on Thursday evening  before releasing him on bail.

Maddie beach perv, 21 August 2010

Maddie beach perv The Sun By HARRY MILLER Published: Today (21 August 2010) A BRITISH tourist has been arrested for allegedly taking photos of children - on a beach near where Madeleine McCann went missing. Three sets of parents noticed the 48-year-old taking snaps of kids playing on Portugal's Algarve coast, police said yesterday. Officers found "many" photos on his camera of children "aged between eight and 15". Taking pictures of minors without their parents' permission is illegal in Portugal. The suspect was arrested at about 3pm on Thursday after concerned mums and dads contacted the Maritime Police. The man, who has not been named, was held on the Marinotel beach in Vilamoura. The beach is about 50 miles east of Praia da Luz, where Maddie disappeared in May 2007. She was then aged three. Police commander Marques Ferreira said: "A 48-year-old Englishman was seen photographing children. We verified the existence of many photographs." He said the suspect had been alone when taking the photos. The man was made an "arguido", or formal suspect, on Thursday. He was bailed by police and was due in court yesterday in the town of Loulé.

Briton arrested in Algarve for child beach photos: My 80 pictures are 'for research', says clothes buyer, 22 August 2010

Briton arrested in Algarve for child beach photos: My 80 pictures are 'for research', says clothes buyer Daily Mail Last updated at 11:30 PM on 22nd August 2010 A British business executive has appeared in a Portuguese court after being accused of taking photos of children on a beach. Parents had been alarmed when they saw 48-year-old grandfather Rhys Jones - who works for international clothing retailer Peacocks - arrive at an Algarve holiday resort alone and start taking pictures of boys in their swimwear. When the parents complained, a row developed, police were called, and father-of-two Mr Jones was arrested. The beach is 50 miles from where Madeleine McCann disappeared from her parents' apartment in Praia da Luz in May 2007. It is understood that 80 pictures of boys aged eight to 15 were found on the camera. But Mr Jones has told the Daily Mail that while he had been 'absolutely stupid', he had an innocent excuse - he was impressed by the youngsters' swimwear, wanted his firm to copy it, and was taking photos as research. The businessman, who was holidaying in a hotel in Vilamoura with his wife Ann and his 14-year-old son, spoke before appearing in an Algarve court on Friday afternoon. The keen amateur sportsman, who runs an under-14s football team and is chairman of the Welsh Club Cricket Conference, has worked for Peacocks for 30 years and is international operations and development controller. Last Thursday he was on the beach at Vilamoura when he said he realised young male holidaymakers were wearing swimwear unlike that stocked by Peacocks. On the spur of the moment, he said, he began photographing boys playing in the sand, with the aim of showing them to colleagues to suggest they stocked similar trunks, particularly for sales in Peacocks stores in Cyprus and Malta. Police were called after parents objected. Mr Jones said: 'I was absolutely stupid. When parents approached me I realised what an idiot I'd been. 'I can fully understand the parents' reaction. I've been bloody stupid. My wife keeps telling me I'm an idiot – she's right, I was. 'But I didn't try to sneak any pictures, I did it all openly.' Mr Jones said he is worried about his job at Peacocks, which is based close to his home in Cardiff. Portuguese police commander Marques Ferreira said: 'A 48-yearold Englishman was seen photographing children on the beach at Marinotel in Vilamoura and was arrested by the Maritime Police. 'We were able to verify the existence of many photographs of children aged between eight and 15.' A police source said witnesses said, 'The man pointed his camera several times at children who were playing in the sand by the water'. Mr Jones has been named an 'arguido', or formal suspect, and appeared in a court on Friday with a local lawyer to answer initial questions, but is understood to have been allowed to return home with his wife and son at the weekend. He will be recalled to Portugal if the court decides to take the case further. Taking photographs of children without their parents' permission is a crime in Portugal. Mr Jones was on Saturday due to play cricket in his position as captain of the Lisvane Second XI in Cardiff and is due to go on a cricket tour of Berkshire today. One of his friends said last night: 'He has been one of the stalwarts of the cricket club for many years, joining as a teenager just after its foundation in the late 70s. 'I can't believe he has ended up in a Portuguese court. He's a straightforward guy with a great sense of humour.'

ITV1 commissions The Suspicions of Mr Whicher adaptation, 26 August 2010

ITV1 commissions The Suspicions of Mr Whicher adaptation The Stage By Matthew Hemley Published Thursday 26 August 2010 at 09:58 Red Riding actor Paddy Considine is to star in an adaptation of Kate Summerscale's book The Suspicions of Mr Whicher for ITV1. The two-hour drama is being made by Hat Trick Productions and adapted by Neil McKay, whose credits include Mo and See No Evil - The Moors Murders. Set in 1860, the true story tells of the investigation into the murder of three-year-old Saville Kent. The Suspicions of Mr Whicher will film on location around London in October. It is being directed by James Hawes and the executive producer for Hat Trick Productions is Mark Redhead. Redhead said: "This a very modern story. It gripped the country in the way that the case of Madeleine McCann has done in our day. It became an obsession for the press and was even debated in the House of Commons. Perhaps for the first time, the Rode Hill House murder exposed the darkness that lay behind the solid front door of the respectable English home. As a story it is riveting but also deeply touching." The production was commissioned by ITV director of drama commissioning Laura Mackie and controller of drama commissioning Sally Haynes.

Cuts hold up Maddie UK probe, 29 August 2010

Cuts hold up Maddie UK probe News of the World Who'll pay, ask police By Lucy Panton 29/08/2010 A NEW probe by British cops into missing Madeleine McCann is being held up in a row over funding, we can reveal. Police forces face cuts of tens of millions of pounds to their budgets leaving no spare cash to pay for what would be a costly re-investigation. Home Secretary Theresa May held a meeting with Kate and Gerry McCann early this month to discuss the search for their daughter. Senior officers at Scotland Yard have been consulted about taking on the case. But despite the apparent early progress we can reveal that there are two key stumbling blocks. No police force can afford to take on the job which could take at least two detectives away from other duties for as long as a year. A source said: "The real issue that needs to be resolved is who is going to pay for it? No police force can afford to agree to take on the case without knowing where the funding will come from. "The other issue which is as important to resolve is to ensure that British officers will have full access in Portugal. "At the moment there is no agreement in place that the Portuguese authorities are going to allow and co-operate with a British re-investigation. "The review has highlighted the need for a thorough re-investigation starting from scratch. The Metropolitan Police have been consulted and are likely to be given the job, but not until all the problems have been ironed out." The McCanns, from Rothley, Leicestershire, appealed directly to former Home Secretary Alan Johnson and now Mrs May for extra help. Madeleine was three when she went missing from her family's holiday flat in Praia da Luz in May 2007. This year we broke the news that the Met's Homicide Command have been approached to discuss taking on the investigation. Jim Gamble, head of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, told Labour ministers there were huge holes in the original inquiry.The treasury are set to slash eight per cent of the policing budget for the next three years threatening jobs. ----------------------- Keir Simmons - ITV News Twitter 29 August 2010 News of the World claims a new UK police invest. into Madeleine McCann is held up by funding issues and lack of co-operation from Portugese. 11:48 AM Aug 29th via HootSuite ----------------------- @macybea Not sure. This is the Home Sec asking for an invest, but UK police unable to fund it and worried about Portugese co-op. #McCann 11:56 AM Aug 29th via HootSuite in reply to macybea -------------------------- @macybea I doubt that UK police would be allowed to fund an investigation from a private source - esp. one requested by the Home Sec #McCann 12:00 PM Aug 29th via HootSuite in reply to macybea ------------------------- @macybea Don't have it confirmed from the Home Office yet but I think the Home Sec may well have asked for new #McCann invest. Am checking. 1,283,076,382,000.00 via HootSuite in reply to macybea -------------------------- Home Office source: Reports that Home Secretary is asking for new police invest into Madeleine McCann led by Scot Yard are not true. 1,283,088,368,000.00 via HootSuite -------------------------- @Headlines2day The Crime Editor wrote it - it prob came from a Yard source. CM not really doing #McCann now - you lot are obsessed with him. 1,283,091,996,000.00 via HootSuite in reply to Headlines2day