Spanish TV station claims it obtained leaked copies of McCann’s police statements

11/04/2008

Kate and Gerry told police that hours before Madeleine vanished she asked: “Mummy, why didn’t you come when we were crying last night?”, a Spanish TV station claimed yesterday.

Telecinco said it had obtained leaked copies of the couple’s statements to Portuguese police in which they told of their surprise at their daughter’s comment.

Telecinco said Kate told police: “Gerry and I spoke for a couple of minutes and agreed to keep a closer watch over the children.”

Hours later, Madeleine disappeared from the apartment in Praia da Luz after being left alone with her twin brother and sister.

In the leaked transcripts, Kate recounts the moment she realised Madeleine was missing. She is said to have told police: “When I went to see Maddy, I realised that she was not there. I looked through the whole flat.
“I went towards the window and opened the curtains to see if she had climbed up there but I could see no trace of her.

In shock, I ran to the tapas bar and yelled to Gerry, ‘Maddy isn’t there, someone has taken her’.”
Gerry is quoted as telling police: “I thought it could not be and ran to the apartment.

“I looked everywhere, I returned to the children’s room and started to think about what could have happened.” The McCanns believe the leak has been deliberately timed to smear them on the day they made their plea to Euro MPs.

Spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: “It is more than curious that this comment, taken in isolation and out of context, should now emerge on the very day they are in Brussels trying to improve children’s welfare and safety.”