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A collection of the media statements given by the McCanns, or on behalf of the McCanns, during their time in Praia
da Luz
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The McCanns' media statements in Praia da Luz |
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The McCann's first media statement, read by Gerry McCann
10.00pm, Friday 04 May 2007
"Words cannot describe the anguish and despair that we are feeling as the parents of our beautiful daughter Madeleine.
We request that anyone who may have any information related to Madeleine's disappearance, no matter how trivial, contact
the Portuguese police and help us get her back safely.
Please, if you have Madeleine, let her come home to her mummy, daddy, brother and sister.
As everyone can understand how distressing the current situation is, we ask that our privacy is respected to allow us
to continue assisting the police in their current investigation."
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The McCann's second media statement, read by Gerry McCann
Saturday 05 May 2007
'Moments before making his statement, Dr McCann appeared first alone before returning to the family's temporary holiday
apartment and re-emerging arm in arm with his wife.' The Irish Times, 06 May 2007.
"First of all we would like to thank everyone here in Portugal, the UK and elsewhere for all your support during this
extremely difficult time for our family.
"We are pleased that the family liaison officers from Leicestershire are now working closely with the Portuguese Police
in keeping us informed.
"We have no further information regarding the investigation but appreciate the significant effort everyone is making
on our behalf.
"We would again like to appeal for any information, however small, that may lead to the safe return of Madeleine.
"Finally we would like to thank the media for respecting our privacy especially that of Madeleine's little brother and
sister."
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Kate speaks publicly for the first time outside the church
Sunday 06 May 2007 (Mother's Day Service)
Kate: "Gerry and I would just like to express our sincere gratitude and thanks
to everybody, but particularly the local community here, who have offered so much support. We couldn't have asked for more.
I just want to say 'Thank you'. Please continue to pray for Madeleine. She's lovely."
Gerry: "From today's service, the thing that we are going to take from this
is strength and courage and hope, and we continue to hope for the best possible outcome from this for us... and for Madeleine.
Thank you."
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Statement given by Kate McCann
2.00pm, Monday 07 May 2007
"We would like to say a few words to the person who is with our Madeleine, or has been with Madeleine.
Madeleine is a beautiful, bright, funny and caring little girl. She is so special.
Please, please do not hurt her. Please don't scare her. Please let us know where to find Madeleine, or put her in a place
of safety and tell somebody where.
We beg you to let Madeleine come home. We need our Madeleine. Sean and Amelie need Madeleine and she needs us.
Please give out little girl back.
Por favor, devolva a nossa menina."
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Alex Woolfall reads a prepared statement from Kate and Gerry
Wednesday 09 May 2007
"We are grateful to all of those currently taking part in the search for our daughter Madeleine.
"At present we are channelling all of our emotions and all of our efforts into the steps that are being taken to secure
Madeleine's safe return.
"We continue to remain positive and we thank the media for their ongoing support to publicise the search for Madeleine."
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Gerry McCann reads a prepared statement
Friday 11 May 2007
"We have now seen at first hand how hard the police are working in the search for Madeleine and their strong desire to
find her.
We have also seen the resources being put into the investigation.
We are doing absolutely everything to assist the police with their investigation and we will leave no stone unturned
in the search for our daughter, Madeleine.
We are very grateful for all the efforts and offers of support that we have had from home and around the world.
We have been moved by the enormous willingness of people to do all they can to help find Madeleine.
As we have said before, we are positive and focussed on the investigation.
Thank you."
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| The McCanns leave church on Madeleine's fourth birthday, 12 May 2007 |
Statement from Mark Warner holidays issued on behalf of the McCann family
8.00am, Saturday 12 May 2007
Alex Woolfall: "Today is our daughter Madeleine's fourth birthday. We would
like to mark today by asking people to redouble their efforts to help find Madeleine.
We know that there is already a huge amount of effort and resource being put into the search for our daughter. We also
know that offers of support are being made daily. It is this that keeps us strong and gives us hope.
On Madeleine's birthday, please keep looking, please keep praying, please help bring Madeleine home."
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Father's tribute to missing girl BBC News
12 May 07 21:28 22:28 UK
The father of missing child Madeleine McCann has paid an emotional tribute to her on her fourth birthday.
Gerry McCann told villagers at a special mass in Praia da Luz, Portugal, the effect of her abduction was "like a tidal
wave".
(...)
Mr McCann, along with wife Kate, said: "Today we should be celebrating the fourth birthday of our daughter Madeleine.
"Instead we have had to remember what a normal, beautiful, vivacious, funny, courageous and loving little girl that we
are missing today.
"I like to think about the effects of Madeleine's abduction from us nine days ago like a tidal wave."
He said: "The devastation affects everyone we meet here in the resort and has affected this community.
"The tidal wave did not stop here, it has travelled many miles across Europe, across the sea to Glasgow, Liverpool, Leicester,
Ireland, America, Canada, New Zealand and continental Europe, where we have many friends and family."
He thanked those who had prayed or shown support to the family, such as sticking up posters or emailing friends and contacts
throughout Europe.
"They have taken our strength and they are taking action, these actions are to make Madeleine's disappearance more public
in the hope that we will get her back sooner as a result."
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The McCanns hold a press conference and, for the first time, take questions from the media
8.00am, Monday 14 May 2007
Gerry: "Good morning.
Kate and I would like to make a short statement regarding three main issues.
We'd like to talk about the offers of support that we've had over the last few days, the role of the International Family
Law Group, who were here over the weekend, and three, we'd like to talk about how we'd like to communicate with the media.
We will take two or three very short questions at the end of this statement but as you all understand we cannot
talk about the investigation and I hope you understand that there are certain things that we are just not ready to talk about,
at this time.
First of all, you know that we've taken tremendous strength from the warmth and the, errm, spiritual outpouring which
we have received here and from all around the world and that has given us great encouragement and hope that we will bring
back Madeleine safely.
More recently there have been multiple offers of different forms of help, including many financial pledges of people
wishing to help Madeleine. We warmly welcome these offers but this created a problem for us in that how we were going
to deal with it.
We have brought in our lawyers to help us decide how to best use these offers of support to help us find Madeleine.
Since the lawyers have come here we have visibly felt a burden being lifted from our shoulders because there's one less
thing that we do not have to immediately think about and how we can coordinate them.
This has allowed us to concentrate more on our own physical and mental well-being. We do need to spend more time at this
point considering oursleves, our family - who's Sean and Amelie - and contemplating about the situation that we were
in.
We do, of course, wish to keep communicating with the media and we would like to thank you all, publicly, for the excellent
job you have done to keep Madeleine's profile so high.
We believe, and have been advised, that this is essential in the search for her.
We would like all communications to continue through Alex, the Press Officer appointed by Mark Warner, who we believe
have done an excellent job for us and the Mark Warner staff have looked after our every needs and making sure that that is
the first priority."
Jane Hill (BBC): "Mr McCann, you're... "
Jeremy Thompson: "If I could ask you both, it's Jeremy Thompson
from Sky News, we'd like to thank you for coming out and talking to us this morning. You talked about your physical and mental
well-being, can I ask you both how you are feeling and how you're coping?"
Gerry: "It's obviously extremely difficult. We have had excellent help
from a travel trauma... errr, consultant, who really has enabled us to utilise tools to help us look forward and direct...
the emotions that we... that are negative and to try to put the speculation out of our heads and channel everything into looking
forwards. And as far as we are concerned, until there is concrete evidence to the contrary we believe that Madeleine is safe and
being looked after and that is how we can continue in our efforts."
Jane Hill (BBC): "Mr McCann, we're live on the BBC... Mr Mc... "
(drowned out by 3/4 people asking questions at the same time)
Gerry: "One at a time please."
Jane Hill (BBC): "Oh, sorry."
Unidentified: "How long do you think you will stay here in Portugal?"
Gerry: "Kate?"
Kate: "I mean I... we can't even consider returning home at the moment. Absolutely,
can't even let it enter my head... "
Gerry: "Take one more question... "
Jane Hill (BBC): "Errr, we're live on the BBC. You've spoken about not
leaving any stone unturned. What are your concrete plans over the next few days and weeks?"
Gerry: "Obviously, you know, the thrust of the search for Madeleine is the
investigation, which we are fully supporting. We have brought in the lawyers, really, to advise us what else can be done.
I don't know what that is at the minute. You have seen that the family, and close friends back home, in contact with us, are
doing everything that we feel in our power to keep the publicity high, and that has been our thrust and main actions at this
time. We will have to consider that, with the experts advice, and taking advice from all the many different agencies that
are involved and really that's why we can't do that on our own."
Jane Hill (BBC): "There's been some talk of bringing in... "
Gerry: "Last... last question... "
Jane Hill (BBC): "... private investigators... "
Gerry: "Pardon?" (to someone else)
Unidentified: "What do people back home in the UK do to help you?"
Gerry: "Well, I think that... I hope that... they have taken despair, which
we were feeling, and partly from the strength that they have also received from us, when we've spoken to them, and they have
really taken on what we have said, that we must look forward and turn thoughts into actions. And you can see from the
many different things, all of the appeals, all of the... errm, poster initiatives etc. People distributing posters at international
airports - that is thoughts being turned into action and really it's about publicising her disappearance. The experts
will tell us any specifics.
That's all the questions we can take at this time... "
Jeremy Thompson: "Can I... Can I just ask you one more thing before...
Gerry: "Sorry, that's all we can take at the minute."
(Gerry and Kate walk away)
Jeremy Thompson: "I wondered if you had a message for the person who
may be holding her?"
(Gerry and Kate continue walking away)
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Michael Wright reads a prepared statement
Thursday 17 May 2007
This statement was designed to tie in with the official launch of the new website, which now contained details
of the various ways people could donate to Madeleine's Fund
"Gerry and Kate have asked me to give you an idea of the spread and scale of the campaign and the huge response to the
Fund that was officially launched yesterday.
Let me start by saying that Gerry and Kate have taken immense strength from the support and good wishes they are receiving from
all over the world. They have been totally overwhelmed by offers from individuals, small companies and large multi-national
corporations.
Both of them are firmly fixed on the campaign, which is designed to raise Madeleine's profile right across Europe and
ensure we bring her home safely. Their purpose is to turn hope into action.
Whilst none of us are experts in campaigning, the situation we have found ourselves in has galvanised us into action
and made us think creatively. We are leaving no stone unturned and we have a huge number of campaign partners who are helping
us to do that from sporting celebrities to big business.
Top of the list are the UK and Portuguese media, in particular, who have played a huge part in maintaining the profile
of this case and the awareness of Madeleine. We need your continued support and now need to increase the coverage right across
Europe.
Our campaign has started with an expansive poster distribution across Europe and our partners include multi-nationals
from the oil, banking, telecoms and retail sectors. Other multi-national companies have already started to include Madeleine's
image on every outgoing e-mail.
The response to yesterday's launch has been huge. The official website has received over 5 million hits today and
the scale of response has brought some difficulties and they are being dealt with.
But this is just the start. Each day brings more offers of help and new ideas. We are open to anything that will
bring Madeleine home. If anyone wants to offer practical help we can be reached at 'campaign @ bringmadeleinehome . com'.
Thank you."
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Father Paul Seddon reads a prepared statement
Friday 18 May 2007
"I came to Portugal this week, not just because I'm a priest or anything, but simply because I'm a friend. Just
to give them some support along with the many other friends they have everywhere.
When I first heard that Madeleine was missing it was in the early hours of Friday morning, just two weeks ago. For everyone
involved it was a terrifying experience.
Those first few hours were filled only with darkness and fear. None of us will ever forget how we felt at that moment.
If that feeling of helplessness and devastation had continued it would have generated a sort of paralysis. But Gerry
and Kate would not allow it. They knew it would have simply destroyed them as people and reduced the chance of finding Madeleine.
They made a choice to take control of things. This gave them a very positive focus and a conviction that Madeleine could
and would be found.
The role played by the local people and the local church cannot be overstated, along with the constant contact with friends
and family back home. The frequent visits to the church stirred their energy and a power which has also strengthened
them.
Kate has a very deep rooted faith and she turned immediately to God for hope and strength.
Gerry has found that his own faith has been renewed through the incredible love... and he and Kate and the twins have
received from everyone. He has told me he has experienced something in the church which set him on his way.
He spoke to me about feeling like he was in a tunnel but not at the far end where the light seems far away, he was
at the end where the tunnel opened out - where anything seemed possible.
It is these experiences of love and support that have given them a renewed determination, which has made a
huge impression on people everywhere.
Initially we all felt weak and helpless but when we looked at this couple in the most awful situation imaginable we asked
ourselves a question: 'If they can be so courageous, why can't we?'
People became inspired by them, especially their friends and family. So there is now a world-wide movement to find her
that is being powered by people everywhere.
The emhasis is now on how we can channel negative emotions into positive actions to make things better.
We're not going to look back now we're going to look forward, to look ahead.
Gerry spoke of the tidal wave of destruction that Madeleine's disappearance caused him and Kate. It has now been met
by a tidal wave of empathy and love which has now been turned into action and hope.
Kate and Gerry, and all of us supporting them, whether here in Portugal or back home, will continue to leave no stone
unturned until we find her.
On their behalf, I want to thank everyone for their part in trying to find this very precious, very special little girl.
Thank you."
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The McCanns hold a press conference and take questions from the assembled media
Tuesday 22 May 2007
Gerry: "Good afternoon.
As you know, yesterday I spent the day in the UK attending a series of meetings. I met with our legal team
and the poilce and the discussions we had were extremely productive. Later on I also visited the incident room in Leicester
along with other family members, which was extremely informative and encouraging.
Kate and I are particularly pleased with the joint appeal organised by the British and Portuguese police. We
would encourage anyone who has photographs to submit them to the police. They can be uploaded on the website 'www . Madeleine
. CEOP upload . com'. I'll just give you that again, 'www . Madeleine . CEOP upload . com'. And we'd also be grateful
if you could give them any information which you think will assist the police on 0800 0961233.
Later on yesterday afternoon, I also had a meeting with the Madeleine's Fund directors and the trustee solicitor
responsible for setting up the Fund. With immediate effect we are going to try and appoint... appoint an interim manager
to asist in the management of the Fund and shortly we will be looking to appoint a campaign manager.
The campaign manager's role will be to extend and coordinate our family campaign, organised by ourselves and friends,
to keep Madeleine's profile high across Europe.
Kate and I will play a key part in that campaign. We will travel wherever is necessary to ensure people across Europe
recognise Madeleine's picture and we will encourage them to come forward with any information which might lead to Madeleine's
safe return.
As you are aware, both of us have taken a great deal of strength from our faith in this... errm, very difficult time.
Tomorrow we want to visit the Shrine at Fatima to pray for Madeleine's return to us.
Kate?"
Kate: "Gerry's telling me about the overwhelming support he received yesterday...
errm, back home and especially his visit to Rothley. The love and messages he received are very moving.
Both of us are really grateful for all the support we've had. It keeps us... gives us strength and keeps us focussed.
And I can't emphasise that enough.
We're also overwhelmed by the response to the Fund and the number of people... errm, using the website
is unbelievable.
I want to thank everyone for everything they're doing. I strongly believe it well help us in our search
for Madeleine. So, thank you for that.
I would like to add that we're both really pleased that Paige, the young girl who went missing on Sunday, was safely
reunited with her parents yesterday.
Thank you."
Ian Woods (Sky News): "Gerry, I know that you've been getting lots of money
in. People will want to know how you're going to spend that. I mean, I know, one of the thoughts was to hire private investigators.
Is that the case and what input do you think they can have that perhaps the Portuguese police haven't had to date?"
Gerry: "Okay, I'll tell you the... the first thing in terms of the Fund
which... there's... there's no payments been made out the Fund yet and that's why we need the manager in.
Errm, there will be quite significant legal expenses and I've already explained to you since the legal team has come
in to advise us that has lifted a great burden from our shoulders. So, you know, there will be considerable expenses
there.
The second thing is, we will fund the website which we think is a great vehicle for information regarding Madeleine's
disappearance. And there is links from our 'Find Madeleine . com' website back to the police appeal websites.
We will have administrative costs and I think the next major cost after that will be the campaign manager.
Taking your question on, back to the private investigators. I'd like to reiterate what we've already said. The thrust
of this investigation will be the criminal investigation which is being... errr, run by the Portuguese police with assistance
from the British police.
As you know, our family strongly believe that somebody in the public holds a key piece of information and that's
why we have campaigned so vigorously to make sure her disappearance is... errr, publicised as much as possible.
Regarding the specific point about the private investigators, we've taken advice about the level and the extensive resources
both in this country and in the UK which are being... errr, directed and... to Madeleine's search and, at this stage,
we don't see a role for private investigators."
BBC News: "Mr and Mrs McCann, for BBC News. Errm, you said you will travel across
Europe. Now, do you know when you're gonna go, where you're gonna go, is that dependant upon alleged sightings of Madeleine,
and also at some point, you're gonna have to go home?"
Gerry: "Okay, I think we'll take... take that as two points there.
The first point... errm, about sightings of Madeleine. We've clarified that with the British police if they... if the
information comes back to the British police, and I'm assuming it's the same for the Portuguese police if the information comes
through here, Interpol will direct local inquiries through local police and it will be done through the local authorities.
I think, if we weren't certain that those inquiries were conducted to our absolute... errr, satisfaction we could
consider sending someone out to investigate locally. | |
