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British police helped 'develop' evidence against Madeleine
McCann's parents Kate and Gerry, according to diplomatic
cables published by WikiLeaks |
British police helped “develop” evidence against Madeleine McCann’s
parents as they were investigated by Portuguese authorities looking into
their daughter’s disappearance, according to diplomatic cables published
by WikiLeaks.
Britain’s ambassador to Portugal, Alexander Wykeham Ellis, reportedly
made the claim to his American counterpart on September 21, 2007 – two
weeks after Portuguese police named
Gerry and
Kate McCann
as “arguidos”, or formal suspects, in the case.
In a cable to Washington, US Ambassador Al Hoffman wrote:
“Madeleine
McCann’s
disappearance in the south of Portugal in May 2007
has generated international media attention with controversy surrounding
the Portuguese-led police investigation and the actions of Madeleine’s
parents.
“Without delving into the details of the case, Ellis admitted that the
British police had developed the current evidence against the McCann
parents, and he stressed that authorities from both countries were
working co-operatively.
“He commented that the media frenzy was to be expected and was
acceptable as long as government officials keep their comments behind
closed doors.”
The cable does not specify what evidence British police are alleged to
have gathered, or whether UK investigators were involved in the decision
to formally name the McCanns as suspects.
They remained under official suspicion until July 2008 when Portuguese
police shelved the investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance and
lifted the McCann’s status as arguidos.
The three-year-old went missing from an apartment in the Algarve on May
3, 2007 while her parents dined with friends in a nearby restaurant.
Speaking at the time the suspect status was lifted, Mrs McCann said: “It
is hard to describe how utterly despairing it was to be named arguidos
and subsequently portrayed in the media as suspects in our own
daughter’s abduction.”
A
spokesman
for the McCanns said: “This is an entirely historic note that is more
than three years old. Subsequently, Kate and Gerry had their arguido
status lifted, with the Portuguese authorities making it perfectly clear
that there was absolutely no evidence to implicate them in Madeleine’s
disappearance whatsoever. To this day, they continue to work tirelessly
on the search for their daughter, co-operating when appropriate with
both the Portuguese and British authorities.” |
