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12/12/2007
No Hidden Agenda At McCann's 'Tapas Nine' Meeting
There was no 'secret meeting' between the parents of Madeleine McCann and the seven friends who dined with them on the night of their daughter’s disappearance.
They did not conduct such a meeting, aiming to "get their stories straight".
The group, known as the 'Tapas Nine', simply discussed events at Praia da Luz and what will happen next in the investigations.
Kate and Gerry McCann were only reunited with the friends two weeks ago for the first time since Madeleine was reported missing at a Portuguese holiday resort on May 3.
The meeting comes just weeks before the McCanns, from Rothley, Leicestershire, and their friends are expected to be interviewed by police over apparent inconsistencies in their witness statements.
Clarence Mitchell, their spokesman, roundly denied that the meeting was held for the friends to compare their accounts of events at the Ocean Club resort.
"It is the first time the nine have sat down face to face. It was really just a get-together to discuss where they are at," he said.
The couple's advisers were present at the meeting, in a hotel in Rothley.
Meanwhile, Portuguese detectives and a public prosecutor are reported to be finalising a series of formal letters asking for some of the McCann group to be re-interviewed in Britain.
One of the friends has reported seeing a man carrying a small child away from the McCanns' apartment at about the time Madeleine is believed to have been abducted, six days before her fourth birthday.
Three of the friends have given statements claiming to have seen Robert Murat, the only other official suspect, outside the apartment, though he said that he spent the evening at home with his mother.
Meanwhile, a former Portuguese police chief said that the McCanns should have been arrested as soon as their daughter disappeared for abandoning their children.
Paulo Pereira Cristóvão, who left the PolÍcia Judiciária this year to head the Portuguese Association for Missing Children, told the 24 Horas newspaper: "When the parents told police that they went to dinner and left the children at home alone, they confessed," he said.
(BMcC/JM)
They did not conduct such a meeting, aiming to "get their stories straight".
The group, known as the 'Tapas Nine', simply discussed events at Praia da Luz and what will happen next in the investigations.
Kate and Gerry McCann were only reunited with the friends two weeks ago for the first time since Madeleine was reported missing at a Portuguese holiday resort on May 3.
The meeting comes just weeks before the McCanns, from Rothley, Leicestershire, and their friends are expected to be interviewed by police over apparent inconsistencies in their witness statements.
Clarence Mitchell, their spokesman, roundly denied that the meeting was held for the friends to compare their accounts of events at the Ocean Club resort.
"It is the first time the nine have sat down face to face. It was really just a get-together to discuss where they are at," he said.
The couple's advisers were present at the meeting, in a hotel in Rothley.
Meanwhile, Portuguese detectives and a public prosecutor are reported to be finalising a series of formal letters asking for some of the McCann group to be re-interviewed in Britain.
One of the friends has reported seeing a man carrying a small child away from the McCanns' apartment at about the time Madeleine is believed to have been abducted, six days before her fourth birthday.
Three of the friends have given statements claiming to have seen Robert Murat, the only other official suspect, outside the apartment, though he said that he spent the evening at home with his mother.
Meanwhile, a former Portuguese police chief said that the McCanns should have been arrested as soon as their daughter disappeared for abandoning their children.
Paulo Pereira Cristóvão, who left the PolÍcia Judiciária this year to head the Portuguese Association for Missing Children, told the 24 Horas newspaper: "When the parents told police that they went to dinner and left the children at home alone, they confessed," he said.
(BMcC/JM)
Related UK National News Stories
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14 September 2007
Portuguese Police Examine Kate McCann's Diary
Portuguese police are reportedly examining a copy of Madeleine McCann's mother's diary as they continue to investigate the four-year-old's disappearance. The BBC reported that police are examining a photocopy of Kate McCann's private diary, as well as a laptop belonging to her husband, Gerry.
Portuguese Police Examine Kate McCann's Diary
Portuguese police are reportedly examining a copy of Madeleine McCann's mother's diary as they continue to investigate the four-year-old's disappearance. The BBC reported that police are examining a photocopy of Kate McCann's private diary, as well as a laptop belonging to her husband, Gerry.
11 June 2014
Madeleine Police Begin New Search In Second Area
Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in Portugal have began searching a second area in Praia da Luz, after a week-long search in scrubland ended without findings.
Madeleine Police Begin New Search In Second Area
Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in Portugal have began searching a second area in Praia da Luz, after a week-long search in scrubland ended without findings.
22 October 2007
Investigators To Re-interview McCann Friends
Friends of Madeleine McCann's parents who dined with the couple on the night the four-year-old disappeared are to be re-interviewed.
Investigators To Re-interview McCann Friends
Friends of Madeleine McCann's parents who dined with the couple on the night the four-year-old disappeared are to be re-interviewed.
31 March 2008
'Group Of Seven' Facing Missing Madeleine Questioning
Police are set to question the 'group of seven', as the friends of missing Madeleine McCann's parents have come to be known. They were on holiday with the family when the little girl went missing in Portugal and are to be re-interviewed by police in the UK about the circumstances surrounding little Madeleine's disappearance.
'Group Of Seven' Facing Missing Madeleine Questioning
Police are set to question the 'group of seven', as the friends of missing Madeleine McCann's parents have come to be known. They were on holiday with the family when the little girl went missing in Portugal and are to be re-interviewed by police in the UK about the circumstances surrounding little Madeleine's disappearance.
11 July 2007
Police continue to question Madeleine suspect
Police are continuing to re-interview the only official suspect in the case of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. Robert Murat returned to Policia Judiciara headquarters in Portimao on Wednesday morning for a second day of questioning over the four-year-old's disappearance.
Police continue to question Madeleine suspect
Police are continuing to re-interview the only official suspect in the case of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. Robert Murat returned to Policia Judiciara headquarters in Portimao on Wednesday morning for a second day of questioning over the four-year-old's disappearance.
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