Is this a fact??

Question

"Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa, of Portugal's investigative Policia Judiciaria (PJ), stressed this week that the family were not suspects."

Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2007, All Rights Reserved. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uklatest/story/0,,-6841578,00.html

Maxwell - I am just wondering, because they gave a SPECIFIC name as a source - the police Chief.

I know there has been an awful lot of bullsh*t bandied about during this case. Nonetheless, I find it hard to believe that the Associated Press would be stupid enough to tell a direct lie about the police chief, attributing the quote (which is a quote, not a random remark from the usual unnamed suspects) to him.

While I appreciate that the media is generally full of you-know-what, this stands out as being too much of a risk to falsify.

You rely on the Portuguese press only? Do you not think they are just as likely to talk nonsense? When have they directly attributed a quote to a named official who is in charge of the case?

Dave, you may be right, but look at the difference between this comment and the usual random crap , which is usually attributed to some moronic journalist or a "police source2. If this is a lie, it is an ENORMOUS risk to take on the AP's part.

Answer 1

Keep fueling the speculation, and sooner or later you are all going to have to eat your own words, because all this nonsense is being fed by the british media, since day one, so they can sell more and more...
The British get the credit for any good news and the Portuguese get the bad wrap for the negative... it's indeed the "silly season".
It’s always more easy to blame foreigners; but some people are missing the point that the “foreigners” in this story, are the British.
This isn't about Madeleine, anymore. Where did anyone hear about an investigation conducted in public? All the fuss can't be good for the poor child…

Answer 2

Until I hear a definitive statement from the police or from a Portuguese newspaer I would have to doubt that. If this was the case then at least one of the Portuguese newspapers would have picked up on that fact...

P.S I think that it is a rumour to force this Chief Inspector into giving a definitive yes or no which would of coures breach Portugal's rules on disclosure.

EDIT:
Just found this article:

Público, the Portuguese newspaper, says that Alípio Ribeiro has confirmed earlier today that Madeleine's disapearance is far from being solved although investigation has brought up new elements.There are new elements but we still don't know where they might lead us.

These are the first statements by a Portuguese police authority since last weeks return to Murat's house and to the McCann's apartement at Ocean Club.

Alípio Ribeiro confirmed that there has been an evolution in the investigation but it is not clear yet in what sense» will the story develop. .......
"http://ultimahora.publico.clix.pt/noticia.aspx?id=1301898


Also if it was true why hasn't one of the news channels picked it up - like the McCanns news best friends - Sky? That channel would have loved to have run that story.

Answer 3

I have never regarded the McCann's as suspects only perhaps unwise with 20/20 vision.

I feel that some people out there are a sort of Madam Guillotine and get some sort of sexy satisfaction to see anyone humiliated. If no one else is around then the McCanns will do.

Answer 4

how old was the blood on the wall and who tried to clean it off
we need the blood results to answer a lot of questions I my self think they are old but why not cleaned off long ago properly

Answer 5

And yet another Dave S response!

Answer 6

Hi,
I hope and pray for the safe return of the lass, but I agree with you.
The media are getting on my t*ts.
They are funding the seemingly never ending McCann holiday, with us ultimately footing the bill through newspapers, TV and whatever.
Oh I know, I will leave my young children alone whilst I nip down the pub, then get them to pay up for the story.
Daft, isn't it ?

Answer 7

I believe it to be so and not some statement of a statement someone else is reputed to have said.

Answer 8

Is that a fact is that a fact
is that a fact of history?
Is that a fact is that a fact
or is it myth and mystery?

Edit
Well spotted, you got it first, funny how these people have gone oh so quiet.

Answer 9

if they were suspects they would have been hauled in by now.
my heart goes out to any Brit having to rely on policing abroad! the Portuguese are partly to blame for the investigation going t1ts up!

Answer 10

I have never heard of a police force who go out of their way to say who ISNT a suspect. Im sure they have better things to do than to run interference whenever a bit of bad publicity comes the McCanns way.