£550k In The Maddy Fighting Fund

Where’s Clarence the cross eyed lion today?

I can’t get over how anyone could ever name their child Clarence but that is not why I am writing this article….. No, the McCann’s are in the news again after laying low and giving some dignity to Shannon’s family (meow). Sorry, I shall be sued next.

More than a slap on the wrist

Yesterday four newspapers, The Daily Express, Sunday Express, Daily Star, and Daily Star Sunday were told they had lost a case brought against them in the High Court against them by Mr and Mrs McCann. The McCann’s will now put the £550k towards their fighting fund which must be dwindling fast by now – Is it me or am I the only one thinking their detectives could be leading their hopes up? How much are detectives costing them? I guess whatever it takes and if I were in the same boat I would probably do the same.

Back to the grovelling;- The Daily Express and the Star, both owned by Richard Desmond, carried their apologies in today’s (Wednesday's) editions. An apology was also read out outside the court by the news group representative. Between the newspapers, they had published over 100 articles on the disappearance of Madeleine, some of these articles suggested her parents were involved in her death. The papers said: "We acknowledge that there is no evidence whatsoever to support this theory and that Kate and Gerry are completely innocent of any involvement in their daughter's disappearance."

Very naughty! But didn’t many think this too? Did we not put two and two together to make five? We all judged because we are all human. I remember writing about Madeleine after she disappeared and saying that back in the 70’s at Pontin’s Holiday Camps, people used to go out at night for a drink or ten and leave nappies hanging on the door handles if a baby or young children were left in the cabins. The Pontin’s staff listened out for the children just as the Mark Warner staff listened out for Madeleine but do we recall the 70’s? Were we all in a drunken stupor? Not me I was a child…….who went to Pontins…….

70's is not always so retro chic then

I am not advertising sticking nappies on doors as a nanny minding service, it is a bad idea. There are too many paedos around nowadays with east access to transport, better roads and on occasion, better transport. It is highly likely that some sick bastard has taken Madeleine and she is probably and I have to say hopefully no longer alive. It is fantastic that Shannon has been found alive but to think of Madeleine now being found is actually quite horrific. While I am sure her parents would welcome it more than anything in the world, what trauma has their little girl suffered?

Gerry and Kate McCann did not hurt their own child, they were only guilty of leaving their children and being the unlucky ones. How many other parents have done what the McCann’s have done? Because they are middle class doctors and cold fish to boot, the press swarmed on them and were critical of them. It has been odd to watch how the press has been critical of Shannon’s parents for having the sin of being poor and I think that in the McCann’s case it was the sin of being rich – or at least ‘well off’. Lies upon lies were repeated but it was not just those newspapers mentioned in this blog entry was it?

The McCanns, from of Rothley, Leicestershire, have refused to rule out libel action against other publications and already have an ongoing case against a Portuguese publication who accused them of much the same things as The Express and the Star. They have never given hope of finding their daughter.

The amount of money is small £550k is tiny for a newspaper magnet. I realise that the McCann’s courted the press but they had no right to print information based on lies. People read papers because of headlines and if there is a juicy story (made up or not), people will buy the paper. The Express and the Star were found to be guilty yesterday of being the worst offenders.Lets hope that this may lead to changes but is that really likely? Like teaching an old dog new tricks.

Madeleine went missing last May while the family were on holiday in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz, no sign of her has been seen since.

Nearly £2 million has been raised in the fighting fund so far.

Newspaper Reviews

" 'Kidnapper' was a pervert, claims ex-wife" Declares the News of the World

"CRAZED kidnap suspect Mick Donovan threatened to KILL his own two daughters – after barricading himself inside his house with them." Claims another headline this morning

"Shannon Matthews' kidnap suspect sexually abused two boys," another story continues.

Michael Donovan apparently visited Amanda Hyatt, 25, the neighbour and younger sister of Karen Matthews 'regularly' (or up to four times a week - it depends on which newspaper you read as to how often he visited?) Since Shannon disappeared, so did he? Why didn't the family notice this significance if now they claim he is such an oddball? Maybe he's not such an oddball after all?

Another story in the news from Donovan's ex wife Susan Bird"He was addicted to opiates and when he was high he wanted sex all the time. But when he was off them, he used to have black moods." She also claimed he liked women to dress up as schoolgirls.

Believe of that what you will. Remember it was Michael Donovan/Paul Drake as he was back then who was given custody of their daughters and not her so what sort of woman is she? Pot, kettle and black springs to mind when you read statement from Eleven-year-old Shanice, who was friends with Donovan's daughters, said: "They were always very quiet and did not talk about what went on at home. One of them said their mum was in prison, and the other said she was dead."

Social services in this case sound as though they were in the right position to take the girls away from BOTH parents from all the snippets I have read. Somewhere in everything the truth must be found?

Sue Bird is now 37 and living in Cornwall. For her full 'sensational' (groan) interview see The News Of The World. Sue went on to have four more children with two further partners, none of her children live with her. Both of the girls she had with Donovan are now in care, the other children live with their fathers. Sounds like the media have stepped into a Jeremy Kyle show except this is not funny.

Mick Donovan, a friendless, reclusive oddball used to visit his local corner shop for his lager and his social trip out was to the bingo hall. It would appear he has never held down a job and claims disability for depression. One newspaper says he had a brain tumour which left him with a pronounced limp and a slightly paralysed arm. No confirmation of this. He is the youngest of nine children, all of his siblings live within 2 miles of him.

Did Donovan abuse the two young boys who are now both adults? I will not comment on this because should Mr Donovan be charged with the kidnap of Shannon, any previous cases have to be kept quiet - But this sounds like no charges were ever brought? Why? Fear? Not true? Cashing in? Sorry, if I am hurting anyone here but it will happen when newspapers are paying BIG money.

Sue Bird claims she contacted the police to warn them about her ex husband, Lidgate Garden residents claim they contacted the police too. So why did it take so long for Shannon to be rescued?

Today police said they had never received Donovan's name? They would have acted "in an instant" on any firm information about her whereabouts. Chief Superintendent Barry South said: "Let me put on notice that had we known at any time the whereabouts of Shannon, we would have been there within seconds."These people are now coming out of the woodwork." Why would they lie? Again is it the money, confusion, too much information to get through or too much paperwork?

Melvin Glew 62, contacted the police 11 days ago - or rather he contacted the MISSING PERSONS charity who handled the poster campaign. Granddad Glew, cannot confirm the date or or time when he called but said there was a recorded message.

Other residents may have called the police but did they give a name? I can imagine thousands of calls were made and linking two and two to make four would have been impossible. If the 'family' did not notice that Donovan had gone off the radar then how did they expect complete strangers in the police force?

For those who are left wondering why Donovan changed his name, I still do not have a clue? What has been reported on some websites is that he chose the surname because of his favourite cheesy popstar Jason Donovan. Maybe he wanted a new life? Maybe the tumour story is true and his personality was affected causing changes in judgement.....and changes in name? I am working on this one.

Up until Friday, most people looked at Mick Donovan's nephew Craig, Shannon's stepfather, and questioned his motives? Was he the guilty one? Is it his fault? What has he done? Has he hurt his stepdaughter? Karen Matthew's parents have made no secret that they despise Craig Meehan and there is an article in the Mail today to confirm their feelings.

This whole story looks like a sad indictment of what some parts of society are like nowadays. Donovan's ex wife's six children all scattered, Shannon's brothers and sisters in different homes and now she herself is in a 'home'. Her grandparents instead of slagging off their own daughter should be supporting her and showing her how to be a GOOD parent. Maybe if Karen Matthews had more confidence, she would not have had seven children with six fathers? Karen Matthews would be happier within herself and any wastrels would go by the wayside. Shannon and any brothers or sisters would in turn feel that confidence from their mother and home life would be a much calmer, joyful place. That said I am being incredibly judgemental and I bet there are times when happiness comes easily. I just think if Karen's parents were better parents themselves, Shannon would benefit more than from them bitching. End of Wiglet sermon.


Police are saying that they believe Donovan acted alone. They have now been granted up to 24 hours further questioning time which leaves them till Tuesday morning to charge or release Donovan.

Does this now mean that police do not believe that this is NOT a money making hoax?
A money-making scam theory was backed up by former top cop John Stalker who told The People newspaper: "The arrest of a family member throws up difficult questions.
Distasteful as it will be, police must seriously examine whether connivance in a manufactured disappearance of Shannon may be a feature."

"The Madeleine McCann case and the massive funds it raised will not have gone unnoticed by less scrupulous people."

"Police are now beginning to build up a picture that this was perhaps more sinister than anyone had realised. Had police not acted when they did, the situation could have become very grave indeed." Said a source for Sky news

Shannon has been made the subject of an emergency police protection order, which will be in place "as long as is necessary", a police spokesman said.

Curiouser and curiouser?

Photos thanks to a variety of sources
Photo 1 Sun headline the day Shannon was found
Photo 2 Sue Bird, Donovan's ex wife
Photo 3 Karen Matthew's parents June and Gordon.
Photo 4 Karen Matthews
Photo 5 John Stalker ex Deputy Chief of Greater Manchester Police