The McCann Saga - What do you think of this taken directly from today's Blog ?

Question

(Talking about a headline in a newspaper)

'The headline suggests that Kate and I face prosecution for neglecting our children by dining 50 yards away and checking on them regularly. We know that there has been criticism in some quarters of our actions but at the time, we felt our actions were responsible. We were essentially performing our own baby listening service although we have talked of the guilt we felt at now being there at the moment Madeleine was taken.

We have been advised that legally our behaviour was well within the bounds of responsible parenting and subsequently been assured that no action will be taken. These types of criticism, particularly at this stage, as well as being hurtful are extremely unhelpful in the search for Madeleine. From the moment we discovered Madeleine missing Kate and I have done everything in our power to try and help get her back.'

Is this one of the worst cases of self vindication that you have EVER COME ACROSS ???

Answer 1

Oh David it gets worse by the minute
Edit; Do you know i think he is trying to convince Himself, that he done nothing wrong by telling the whole world he did nothing wrong if you know what I mean he is looking for the sympathy vote Of course you did nothing wrong Gerry like my @ss

Answer 2

I just love how he goes about explaining it from a legal aspect. As in, "our behavior was well within the bounds of responsible parenting and assured no legal action will be taken". Yeah I bet Madeleine could honestly friggin care less about the legal actions that will be taken against them for being ignorant, self-absorbed, unfit parents. I also really like when he says that the criticisms are "extremely unhelpful". Well if he and his wife had stayed in the room with their babies, like people who have a fully functioning brain, they wouldn't have to deal with the criticisms. Nobody in their right mind goes out and leaves 3 children under the age of 4 in a motel room in a foreign country and checks in every 30 minutes. It's stupid and I don't see why anyone would be giving them any pity. I hope Madeleine is found safe and that her and her siblings are taken away and placed with someone who will care for them.

Answer 3

I agree that it is almost that he is trying to convince himself that what they did was acceptable. No one who has seen the photos of where the apartment was in relation to the tapas bar could ever say that it was safe to leave them where they were on their own. For a start the apartment is next to a road not part of the complex and open to anyone to drive/walk down. Apart from all the obvious risks to babies (because that is what they are) being left alone you have the worry of them getting up and wandering. I do feel for the family terribly. They could not have known this awful thing would happen. They must be suffering beyond belief. I hope that Maddy is returned safely. I just dont think they have done themselves any favours by not being honest about the real situation in leaving their children. Maybe its too painful beyond words and this is his way of coping.

Answer 4

It strikes me as probable that, on the basis of ACTUAL INFORMATION and by someone with ACTUAL AUTHORITY, they have indeed been assured of just what he says. It would, after all, be simple for the Portuguese police or a legal commentator to contradict him if what he said is off the mark.

Just because it contradicts your pet theories does not cast doubt on it. I would set more store by that than I would by any of the fictions spun here about the case.

I think we can safely assume that the McCann family has some awareness of some of the negative opinion being expressed here and elsewhere. It depresses me to think it but I suppose it is inevitable that it should be so. It should, then, come as no surprise at all that he should seek to correct what he certainly regards as misapprehensions about what really happened. Taking a negative inference from it is just as ridiculous as any of the other garbage that is being regularly spouted about this case - but I have come to expect no better.

I notice that someone here has huffily declared that, while their conduct might have been legally OK, it was not morally acceptable. Well, sorry, folks but that won't wash. You guys have been declaring with all the authority of the armchair judge and jury that the McCanns broke Portuguese law. If it is demonstrated that they didn't, you will have been proved wrong. End of story.

Answer 5

One of the Portuguese newspapers published an article highlighting a host of questions about the evening - including the fact that the restaurant was in fact 150 yards away by foot - unless Gerry can walk on water which maybe he can, there was a partition so there was no clear view of the apartment, and Gerry and Kate were not seen to leave the table at all during their dinner.

With regards to the law with regard to child care - Parents can be prosecuted for wilful neglect if they leave a child unsupervised " in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health". Children and Young Persons Act 1933.

Answer 6

Rags:

Thanks for the link to the compound. Please note the location of the swimming pool. Who would leave three children alone in an unlocked room (at night) with a pool between them.

Please tell me if I am being paranoid with this scenario: one of the babies starts to cry and wakes Maddy. Maddy can't fine Mommy or Daddy so she takes a walk outside and possibly falls in the pool.

The risk is right in front of them and they choose to ignore it.

Answer 7

David this whole thing is getting way out of control and it gets worse by the minute.
Do you know that I think he is trying to convince Himself, that he done nothing wrong by telling the whole world he did nothing wrong. I think he is looking for the sympathy vote. And to make matter worse he thinks he is leader of this world. Gerry you are the most dumbest person I have ever heard of.

Answer 8

I find it unbelievable that anyone is still swallowing this guff. He obviously does not know the difference between right and wrong, oozes nothing but smugness and self justification and seems to have been corrupted by fame and money. There is little, if anything, of Madeleine in his self seeking agenda.

Answer 9

Any comment that I make will not be helpful in finding a daughter that THEY ABANDON!! It seems like all they have done is live high on the hog on donated money, and try to clear themselves form being negligent parents in the media!
You simply do NOT leave babies un-attended for your own pleasure! As far as listening service, did you have a monitor on that you could hear?? Even when I sat in my backyard at night, and my kids were sleeping inside, I had several monitors so that I could hear them if something were to happen!
Smypathy..none...for Madeleine..100%, I hope someone who really wanted a child to love and spoil has you, and not some horrible fate!

Answer 10

as well as being hurtful are extremely unhelpful in the search for Madeleine. From the moment we discovered Madeleine missing Kate and I have done everything in our power to try and help get her back.'

Answer 11

Since he feels he has clarified the law on this matter why does he not campaign for a change in UK legislation which would confirm his oh so learned opinion?? Gerry stick to what you know [medicine] and stay away from subjects which you obviously have no idea about [ law and parenting! ]

I had to laugh when I read that they may be suing those papers, websites, etc that are speaking out against him. He evidently has never had any dealing with the legal profession or he'd know that his £900k would never stretch that far..

I say we start a fund to sue them for libel.. I bet we'd make more than £900k in a month!!