In spite of what it represents, an official product of the CEOP under the then command of, Jim Gamble; the imagery itself is second place to the questions it raises.
As a prerequisite to any question asked, it is crucial to know the chronology surrounding this astonishing CEOP production, A Minute For Madeleine.
Having fled Portugal, immediately after being declared Arguido; persons of interest; or in the case of the parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, suspects in all but name.
It is with this in mind, that some thirty days later, Jim Gamble foisted onto the world, this extraordinary piece of propaganda. And extraordinary it is, be assured of that.
It becomes extraordinary for reasons manifold. To mention but a few.
It becomes extraordinary, because it is the product of an experienced career policeman.
An experienced career policeman, who at the time, was CEO of a government funded organization.
And let us for a moment, remind ourselves of the CEOP acronym:
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre.
Yes; quite.
Which gives rise to our questions.
What was the intended effect of this non too subtle torpedo, supposed to have on the ongoing Portuguese investigation?
Was A Minute For Madeleine the product of the imagination of Jim Gamble alone?
Was the decision to produce and air A Minute For Madeleine, taken solely by Jim Gamble?
If the answer to the last two questions is yes, then we know where we stand. Or more precisely, we know where Jim Gamble stands.
If the answer is no however . . . .
I don’t think I even want to go there.
Update:
"Madeleine will now be six years old" is a written statement which opens the CEOP vid. 'A minute for Madeleine'. Gamble is actually heard to say however, "Madeleine is now six years old". Altogether less tentative. Martin Roberts
