Matthew Steeples suggests it is time for the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann to stand down
Whilst the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has had millions lavished on it, those trying to help locate other missing children have barely received any resources. Now, with a victory for Goncalo Amaral in his libel appeal against Gerry and Kate McCann, it is time for this to be put right and regretfully, it is also time for the Scotland Yard investigation into this peculiar matter to step down.
In his book, The Truth of the Lie, which remains banned in Britain, Amaral alleged Mr and Mrs McCann have some responsibility for the child’s disappearance and went as far to allege they potentially faked her abduction and were responsible for her death. In doing so, Amaral certainly caused Mr and Mrs McCann anguish but he also exercised his right to freedom of speech.
Since Madeleine McCann disappeared in 2007, over £12 million has been spent on the probe to attempt to find her. Nothing has been achieved in spite of this vast sum and nobody has discovered whether the child is alive or dead. Whatever anybody thinks about what happened that night, therefore, remains pure speculation but it is now the future that must be considered. Mr and Mrs McCann should be allowed to continue to allocate their own resources to their search, but it truly is time the public purse was finally closed.
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