SOMETHING CHANGED

2015 - when the future was brighter

 

I agree with you John, there is something in the air.  I doubt Gerry and Kate can take much comfort from the words of Mark Rowley.  While on the face of it, he appears sympathetic to the parents, the ruling out of the Portuguese suspects to focus on one significant lead that might lead to a result, does not bode well for the actual perpetrators of the crime. 

For the real perpetrators of this crime, the words 'one significant lead left' must be ominous.  They now know the police are not looking for anyone else - they are closing in. 

 

But lets ignore for one moment, all the news stories and hullaballoo and look again at the odd behaviour of the McCanns. Historically, they have used almost every anniversary as an opportunity to raise awareness of Madeleine’s disappearance by doing the media rounds and the interviews.  Especially in the early years when they were releasing balloons and lanterns and holding fundraisers at Kensington roof top gardens. Anniversaries were a huge part of the Team McCann campaign - Gerry wanted an annual Madeleine Day for the World marked by concerts and sports events.  Presumably all the former anniversaries were equally unwelcome, so the message on their facebook page is a complete about turn.

 

Why so low profile on the biggest anniversary yet?  Only a few months ago, Clarence Mitchell was pitching 10^th anniversary exclusives.  As I have said previously, he had an uphill battle there unless the McCanns were prepared to say anything new. Although the narrative has changed, every so slightly. The new buzz word is ‘hope’ - loose interpretation, 'we do not accept what we have been told'. That there is no plea from Kate to the abductor or her daughter, is not unusual, but she hides it under the guise of ‘there is no plea from Scotland Yard’. 

 

At around the same time Gerry and Kate told the world, for some bizarre reason, that they were moving the Fund money around in preparation for continuing the Search themselves once Scotland Yard gave up closed.  Cynics might say they were moving the money in preparation for their forthcoming loss in the Lisbon Civil Courts.  Regardless, they were planning to pick up where they left off when Scotland Yard intervened. 

 

However, the idea that Madeleine is still alive, has, it would appear, been completely quashed.  Whilst that doesn’t rule out abduction.   ‘If the world believes Madeleine is dead, no-one will look for her’ (Kate) has been the premise of every battle the McCanns have fought.  Completely understandable, but begs the question, why didn’t the parents co-operate with the police so they could be ruled out?  At the time they were made suspects, they had the full backing of the great British Empire behind them.  No-one was going to beat a confession out of them and with the eyes of the world watching they were not going to be framed.  Had they allowed themselves to be ruled out, the police could have concentrated on the abductor and we wouldn't all be here 10 years on.    

 

The search for a live Madeleine has sustained their Campaign, their Fund and their reputations. Madeleine being officially acknowledged as dead, is probably the stuff of their worst nightmares.  Fortunately, they found a reporter on the other side of the world, willing to remind us of the names and faces of kids who have been rescued from captivity. As if being held in a dungeon and tortured for 10 years was a desirable option for a missing 3 year old.   Why are they pushing the idea that Madeleine is alive in Australia?  Why not here in the UK, or even in Portugal?

 

In the past Gerry and Kate never missed an opportunity to give an interview or appear on television.  Doing 'media' was their thing because they had a product to sell - or if that is too unkind, they had a cause.  They were forced into the limelight by their predicament, they did not seek fame and fortune for themselves.  I have to say at this point, as I watched Gerry and Kate surrounded by paparazzi in those very early days, I could see them becoming hooked.  The force is strong is some people, lol.  What I am trying to say, badly, is that the parents had morally sound reasons to stay in front of the cameras and pose for photoshoots rather than the usual fame and fortune.  They are among the noble heroes and heroines of real life who make up large segments of morning television.  No 'You must love me' narcissism there. 

 

This anniversary has taken an unexpected turn, the formerly eager parents now see the date as too painful a reminder of their loss.  So what has changed from a few months ago, when Clarence was pitching exclusives?  Several options: 1) there were no offers 2) interviewers would not accept their terms 3) they can no longer say Madeleine is alive and findable.  I lean towards option 3) because it is the myth that Madeleine is alive that has kept them afloat this past ten years. 

 

It may be that Scotland Yard are shortly to release a statement, Mark Rowley has already released a titbit - they have one significant lead left.  I feel if Gerry and Kate were confident the 'one significant lead' wasn't them, they would be appearing on all the breakfast shows and in the Sunday supplements - if they still exist.  Kate's message this year is a sorrowful one, filled with negativity - it sounds as though she and Gerry are bracing themselves for a media onslaught, preparing for the worst and battening down the hatches.  Scotland Yard have one significant lead left, but at this especially painful time, they haven't offered the McCanns any assurances.  If they had, now would be a good time to get that message out there.  Can they tell Lorraine that Scotland Yard are keeping them informed and they hope this final lead will produce a result? 

 

Scotland Yard may well be playing cat and mouse with their suspects, it is a device used both in literature and in real life.  Some might think that is unnecessarily cruel, but Gerry and Kate are clearly sticking by their original story - to the letter.  They are never going to admit that Madeleine was not abducted.  If they are ever prosecuted, the police will have to prove their case every step of the way, they are up against formidable opponents and the best lawyers money can buy.

 

 

 

I hope the press pay heed to Kate's words, that is, I hope they will be careful in the way they report this case, bearing in mind the number of real lives that will be affected.  I can't however, feel too sorry for Kate.  It has been 10 years - has she learned nothing? Especially from all the charity work she has been involved with.  Does she not have a list of what she, and Missing People have achieved?  We always hear about the funds being raised, but not very much about what is done with them.

 

Her annual message is again filled with whining about the way in which her, and her family life has been affected.  Again she speaks of her own suffering, while failing to mention Madeleine's.  Kate complains about her own 'stolen time', oblivious to the fact that her small daughter lost her entire life.   For those who wonder why people don't take to Kate, the clues are all there.