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Letter publication angers McCanns | Letter publication angers McCanns |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The parents of four-year-old Madeleine McCann have condemned the decision by a Dutch newspaper to publish a letter claiming to know where her body is. | The parents of four-year-old Madeleine McCann have condemned the decision by a Dutch newspaper to publish a letter claiming to know where her body is. |
On his internet blog, her father said the letter and accompanying map should have been properly examined first. | On his internet blog, her father said the letter and accompanying map should have been properly examined first. |
Gerry McCann said the publication was "irresponsible" and "cruel" journalism. | Gerry McCann said the publication was "irresponsible" and "cruel" journalism. |
Police are expected to search scrubland after the letter claimed Madeleine was buried nine miles from the Algarve resort where she was last seen. | Police are expected to search scrubland after the letter claimed Madeleine was buried nine miles from the Algarve resort where she was last seen. |
Amsterdam-based De Telegraaf declined to comment on Mr McCann's criticisms. | Amsterdam-based De Telegraaf declined to comment on Mr McCann's criticisms. |
The Dutch newspaper received the letter on Monday and passed it on to police, delaying publication of the information until Wednesday. | The Dutch newspaper received the letter on Monday and passed it on to police, delaying publication of the information until Wednesday. |
'Upsetting' | 'Upsetting' |
The letter identifies an area of scrubland 9.3 miles (15km) from where Madeleine vanished six weeks ago. | The letter identifies an area of scrubland 9.3 miles (15km) from where Madeleine vanished six weeks ago. |
She was last seen in Praia da Luz on 3 May. | She was last seen in Praia da Luz on 3 May. |
Mr McCann said: "We were extremely disappointed in the publication of the anonymous letter in The Telegraaf claiming to know where Madeleine is buried. | Mr McCann said: "We were extremely disappointed in the publication of the anonymous letter in The Telegraaf claiming to know where Madeleine is buried. |
"Although all information will be taken seriously, we were very upset that the credibility of this letter had not been examined and, more importantly, [it was] published before the Portuguese police had an opportunity to investigate the claim, and search the area if appropriate without massive media attention. | |
"We feel strongly that this was an irresponsible piece of journalism and, even if it were true, is insensitive and cruel. | "We feel strongly that this was an irresponsible piece of journalism and, even if it were true, is insensitive and cruel. |
"One can imagine how upsetting it is for Kate and I to hear of such claims through the media and if every piece of information was published like this there would be nothing else in the newspapers." | "One can imagine how upsetting it is for Kate and I to hear of such claims through the media and if every piece of information was published like this there would be nothing else in the newspapers." |
Around eight plain-clothed police officers visited the village of Arao, which is 15km from Praia da Luz, on Wednesday evening. | Around eight plain-clothed police officers visited the village of Arao, which is 15km from Praia da Luz, on Wednesday evening. |
There were no signs of any ground searches taking place on Thursday morning. | There were no signs of any ground searches taking place on Thursday morning. |
Locals say the country road that police stopped at on Wednesday is in an area which has not been searched before, said BBC correspondent Alison Roberts. | Locals say the country road that police stopped at on Wednesday is in an area which has not been searched before, said BBC correspondent Alison Roberts. |
According to De Telegraaf, the Madeleine letter says the four-year-old, of Rothley, Leicestershire, is buried near a dirt track north of Odiaxere in the Algarve. | According to De Telegraaf, the Madeleine letter says the four-year-old, of Rothley, Leicestershire, is buried near a dirt track north of Odiaxere in the Algarve. |
Ch Insp Olegario de Sousa confirmed Portuguese police were aware of the map and were doing "everything necessary". | Ch Insp Olegario de Sousa confirmed Portuguese police were aware of the map and were doing "everything necessary". |
He said: "There have been exchanges between Dutch police and us. | He said: "There have been exchanges between Dutch police and us. |
"We are checking the information like we check everything in this case for importance." | "We are checking the information like we check everything in this case for importance." |
Similarities investigated | Similarities investigated |
Dutch police are studying similarities between the new letter and one received last year by De Telegraaf pointing to the whereabouts of Belgian step-sisters Stacey Lemmens, seven, and Nathalie Mahy, 10. | Dutch police are studying similarities between the new letter and one received last year by De Telegraaf pointing to the whereabouts of Belgian step-sisters Stacey Lemmens, seven, and Nathalie Mahy, 10. |
The Belgian girls were murdered in June 2006 after they disappearing from Liege. | The Belgian girls were murdered in June 2006 after they disappearing from Liege. |
On the day the letter was received, police found their bodies at the spot indicated on an enclosed map. | On the day the letter was received, police found their bodies at the spot indicated on an enclosed map. |
A convicted paedophile, Abdullah Ait Oud, is now on remand awaiting trial for murder. | A convicted paedophile, Abdullah Ait Oud, is now on remand awaiting trial for murder. |
It is believed Madeleine was abducted from a holiday apartment while her parents ate at a nearby restaurant. | It is believed Madeleine was abducted from a holiday apartment while her parents ate at a nearby restaurant. |