Are the McCanns in for a shock?

Question

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/6740315.stm
BBC NEWS | England | Leicestershire | Petitioners want McCann inquiry

Answer 1

I am glad, finally it has been acknowledged by the McCanns.
All the pros kept saying it was a poxy petition, with only a few names on it. Well its starting to grow eh?

Answer 2

P**down Man - why is it that every time you disagree with something it is 'Not a British way of thinking' get a grip and a proper opinion or go away and stop bothering the grown ups.

I would have hoped that their daughter getting kidnapped because they left her unattended would have been a shock but that obviously hasnt happened. I dont want this petition to work as a shock, just as how the law should work to protect vunerable children. ALL children are vunerable and need to be protected not left alone whilst their parents go out and enjoy themselves, I dont care whether their parents are doctors or binmen they have a legal and moral obligation to their children

Answer 3

I signed it, not to get at the parents but at the attitude that its OK to leave such young children alone. I don't like the hypocricy of the media who have been highly critical of other parents who've left children unsupervised. It would be tragic if other children were left in danger because of the implicit condoning of what the McCanns did.

Answer 4

Great News...!! These 2 Dr Jekyll's should be struck off for neglecting their children ... Imagine...these 2 having a hand in caring for anyone...when they treat their own with total disregard for their well being... I urge everyone to sign it... I urge everyone involved in " Team McCann " to stop acting like Celebrities - forget the chat shows etc... lets get some Professional People to start searching for Madeline...splash the cash McCanns... stop hanging on to it...

Answer 5

I Bloody hope so!
They need to answer for the neglect of due parental care.
Although, i don't really believe they will be called to account.
They are Doctors, the profession will protect them.

Hi Meltdown Man,
Still spouting nonsense then?
Hey when are you gonna stop your nasty campaign against people like me? All those nasty "Questions" about us - so called Anti McC's - and yet how many of us have been blocked, so cant answer?
Yeah, you really do believe in freedom of speech don't you???? Your own peculiar brand of free expression that is.

Answer 6

They should be charged in Portugal too as its against the law to leave kids like they did.

Yep - I think that they should be investigated, I know it won't actually get anywhere, at most they will get a slap on the wrist, but it does send out a strong message.

Answer 7

I am glad it has got attention. The McCanns have had enough of that to last them a lifetime, it makes a change for someone else to have it for a change.

Answer 8

In a country which prides itself on freedom of speech, I think a petition is a good way for people to express their concerns. That is especially true in a case such this, which, until recently, has been reported in a very one-sided way in the media.

The McCanns have defended their actions on that fateful night
(Kate: "I think that is a very small minority of people that are criticising us."),
and appeared shocked that the German reporter asked them a question which forced them to deny their own involvement in Madeleine’s disappearance.

As far as I can see, this petition simultaneously tries to redress the balance of opinion, whilst trying to ensure not only that there is no future repetition of these circumstances, but that parents accused of child neglect cannot cite this case as an excuse.

To: Leicestershire Social Services
"We the undersigned request that Leicestershire Social Services fulfil their statutory obligation to investigate the circumstances which led to 3 year old Madeleine McCann and her younger siblings being left unattended in an unlocked, ground floor hotel room.

We ask that they do this to reflect an evenhanded approach to the important issue of child protection.

We also wish to ensure that no parent will ever be able to evade responsibility for the safety and welfare of their children by citing the example of Mr and Mrs McCann, whose negligence is unreasonably being discounted in the tidal wave of sympathy brought about as a consequence of their media campaign".

The language may be a bit strong, but the issue of child protection evokes strong emotions.

P.S.
This is on the mirror.co.uk current affairs forum and is from the originator of the petition:

I know I said I would contact BBC News Online and ITV News (in response to the emails they had sent to me) but after a period of reflection (and discussion with my daughter) I took the view that having set the ball in motion, far better for it to simply gain it's own momentum.................

The petition isn't about ME........

It's about Madeleine, Sean, Amelie and any other children in that tour party who were left unsupervised while their parents dined.

It's about all of the children (some of whom are as yet unborn) of those "thousands" of people who sent messages of support to Gerry to say "they had done or would do the same".

It's about ALL children whose parents/grandparents/carers consider it "responsible" to leave them unsupervised.

But most of all it is about two irresponsible parents, who having gained a world platform to promote their 'search' for Madeleine appear quite unable to take a few moments during each media 'opportunity' to IMPLORE others to never leave young children unsupervised, because the unthinkable CAN happen ..........., and sometimes it will.

Having created the media platform, would it not help to absolve any 'guilt' Madeleine's parents may (or may not) feel if they were conveying that message?

By reminding others of the need to safeguard young children, Madeleine's parents might at least prevent some other child coming to harm - even if that were only ONE child, because EVERY child is every bit as important as Madeleine.

My daughter's concern about contact with the media was that Team McCann (or their media supporters) would 'spin' the story of the petition and seek to vilify me.... she's a very wise young woman, no wonder I am so proud of her.

In truth the petition speaks for itself. Its aims are clearly stated and it is for everyone who views it to decide whether they agree with the statement to Leicestershire Social Services, or do not.

My aim in setting up the petition was to provide an opportunity for all responsible adults throughout the UK to have an opportunity to have their views heard, because any dissenting voices were being stifled (and censored) amidst the media's furore of support.

Madeleine's parents created the set of circumstances which led to her "disappearance". Their sensitivities are no more important than those of any other adult whose parenting skills are called in to question and their irresponsibility should be investigated.

Answer 9

This delight in seeing these people suffer is so sick! Where is the compassion? There is none. God help anyone who is ever at the mercy of the great British public.

Answer 10

Not al all surprised in view of the number of critiscisms about them leaving the children alone. It would have been illegal in the UK.