The Operation Grange investigation by
the Metropolitan Police into the
disappearance of Madeleine McCann is
actually said to be “upbeat” in addition
to set to continue despite mounting
costs, a top resignation in addition to
apparently still no breakthrough in
sight.
The latest episode in This kind of
extraordinary case, with Scotland Yard
detectives questioning ten people in
Faro, does not seem to have resulted in
any meaningful progress.
The previous high point from the
investigation featured British police
searching across three sites next to
Praia da Luz from the summer. Scorned by
sceptics as a ‘whitewash’ in addition to
a ‘circus,’ the searches produced no
fresh evidence in addition to gave rise
not only to exasperation among local
citizens, however also speculation which
the investigation was nearing its
endgame.
The speculation heightened with news
which the cost of the inquiry was
approaching £10 million at a time of
stringent budget cuts which could have
disastrous consequences for police
forces across the UK.
The announcement which Detective Chief
Inspector
Andy Redwood was retiring by the Met
as the head of Operation Grange further
invigorated the notion which the case
was going nowhere.
“After careful consideration in addition
to a full in addition to rewarding
career from the Met, the time is
actually right for me to move on,”
Redwood said.
A headline from the Mirror declared:
“Madeleine McCann top cop quits: This
kind of does send a certain kind of
message.”
The paper reported which with Redwood’s
resignation, “the inquiry into the
disappearance of Madeleine McCann
suffered a blow.” the item went on to
quote a source close to the inquiry:
“The investigation has gone on for three
in addition to a half years today.
However a lead detective would likely
not typically stand down if they can see
a result from the pipeline.”
If This kind of did indeed send “a
certain kind of message,” the item was
somewhat confused by the simultaneous
announcement which
DCI
Nicola Wall was to replace Redwood
as leader of the Operation Grange team.
This kind of left some observers
wondering if the latest questioning in
Faro was a last ditch effort which might
soon lead to a formal wrapping up of the
investigation.
Not so, apparently.
Anthony Summers, co-author with his wife
Robbyn Swan of the book Looking for
Madeleine, told the BBC Breakfast
programme which, according to his
sources, the Operation Grange team is
actually “upbeat in addition to believes
the case is actually solvable.”
There is actually said to be no
political pressure, no hidden agenda in
addition to no pressure or problem about
expenditure.
The team still comprises about 30
officers in addition to support staff,
essentially the same number as earlier
from the investigation. The expectation
is actually which they will continue
ploughing methodically though a vast
amount of information.
So, the indications are which although
the investigation is actually taking a
very long time with apparently little
success, This kind of should not be
interpreted as meaning which detectives
are pessimistic about the case or about
to give up.
the item has been known by insiders for
some months which Redwood was going to
retire. however immediately after the
announcement, the Mirror quoted a senior
Labour MP as saying: “There are times
when public duty must override personal
circumstances, in addition to This kind
of is actually one of them. If senior
officers were aware of the DCI’s
retirement plans, why was he put on to
This kind of case from the first place?”
Interesting question, however This kind
of is actually a side issue.
The main thrust is actually which Nicola
Wall has today met the senior Portuguese
officials she will be collaborating with
after formally taking command of
Operation Grange on 22 December.
When
Inês Sequeira was appointed
Portimao’s fresh public prosecutor in
October she was quoted from the press as
being “utterly determined” to crack the
case.
She has the backing of Portugal’s first
woman attorney general, Joana Marques
Vidal, Portimao’s PJ chief,
Ana Paula Rito, in addition to the
Oporto-based PJ detective in charge of
the Portuguese investigation,
Helena Monteiro.
Nicola Wall has served at the Met for 26
years, most recently as head of the
Murder Investigation Team in West
London. Hitherto she has not had much
media coverage, however which’s about to
change.
Vogue magazine last year reported which
she prided herself on her investigative
speed; which she was only partially
joking when she attributed her low media
profile to the fact “we solve cases so
quickly nobody gets involved.”
An omen perhaps? |