Letter from Assistant
Commissioner Mark Rowley to news
editors re Op Grange, the Madeleine
McCann investigation.
As you are aware this case has for
some time been moving towards
increased action in Portugal on the
basis of MPS 'International letters
of request'. Whilst the process is
more bureaucratic and slower than we
would wish, you will recall at
recent briefings that DAC Martin
Hewitt has said that we were
increasingly optimistic of that
activity starting soon.
I am writing because I now believe
that activity will occur in
forthcoming weeks. You will
understand that our requests for
action in Portugal lead to
investigative steps taking place
under Portuguese law. In this
context I have been discussing with
my opposite number in the Policia
Judiciara the high levels of
interest that the action (especially
when some of it will take place in
public) will generate in the British
media. I have discussed with him
that it is our usual and preferred
practice in this case to brief the
media on an ongoing basis on such
cases as that usually ensures that
the activity of reporters and the
coverage assists rather than damages
the investigation.
These briefings, as you would
appreciate, do not give complete
detail on what the activity is, (as
this could compromise what we are
trying to achieve), but do provide
context and as much information as
possible whilst still protecting the
investigation.
The advice I am receiving from
Portugal is that their approach is
very different and they do not brief
the media on current investigations.
He has been clear with me that if we
provide any briefings or information
on the work they are undertaking on
our behalf, or if reporters cause
any disruption to their work in
Portugal, activity will cease until
that problem dissipates.
It is important you understand this
and appreciate the position in which
I find myself. We will not be able
to provide any information
concerning the activity because
ultimately it could mean the work
stops. We respect the Portuguese
position as we would expect them to
respect our position if we were
carrying out work on their behalf in
the UK.
The most important task for me is to
build momentum and protect our
investigation given the many lines
of enquiry that we see are necessary
in order that we can do everything
possible to solve the case. I ask
that you support me and my team in
those efforts. This includes
respecting the requests of the
Portuguese authorities during the
work they will be carrying out on
our behalf.
As well as being aware of the
dangers of disrupting the work of
the Portuguese, I would also ask you
to think carefully about the
information you decide to put into
the public domain. Although we will
continue not to comment on specific
information, I would ask you to
think twice about what impact that
information or speculation might
have on the investigation if it is
published or broadcast.
We do not want to undermine our
prospects of providing Mr and Mrs
McCann with answers in this tragic
case.
Collectively we all need to think
carefully about our actions in this
case.
Yours sincerely
Mark Rowley
