Clarence Mitchell - busy spokesman ... but who for .. and why ?

Gerry (R) and Kate McCann, parents of the missing girl Madeleine McCann, listen to the family spokesman Clarence Mitchell during a walk near the beach resort of Lagos May 24, 2007. REUTERS/Hugo Correia (PORTUGAL)


The McCann’s spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: “Today has been profoundly moving for them. The support has been overwhelming and they wanted some quiet contemplation. They know the days ahead will be hard. Kate now is keen to get back to Praia da Luz. She doesn’t like leaving there.

“She believes that is where the heart of the campaign is and feels close to Maddie there.”

He added: “Every single prayer is important to them. They draw strength from every prayer in their search for Madeleine. They want everybody to continue praying.”

The Sun Online

Clarence Mitchell, a spokesman for the parents, said: "Their faith is very important to them. This was a profoundly moving and spiritual visit. Every single prayer is important to them - they draw strength from each one."

Daily Telegraph

Foreign Office spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: ``(Mr McCann) is here for a number of reasons - to attend to a few personal matters, to meet police and of course to thank everybody once again for the overwhelming support they have had from around the world.

``Gerry will be establishing where the police investigation is going and talk to people with the fund.

``He will not be making any statements while in the UK. That's because he will talk to his wife about this when he gets to Portugal and they could make a statement there.''

Lexis Nexis AP News Story

Today was extremely busy and tiring. We met with our press officer Clarence Mitchell, to discuss strategy for the fortcoming interviews. Kate attended a luncheon in aid of International Missing Child day and John, my brother, attended a similar event in London. After this John and Brian Kennedy, Kate’s uncle, who are both directors of Madeleine’s fund appointed an interim fund manager. .....

Gerry's Blog/Diary 25-26 May 2007
Fund website http://www.findmadeleine.com/

UPDATE 27th May 8.30 pm

The BBC1 News has a report in which it is stated that the McCanns (who are Roman Catholics) are about to depart this week for Italy for an audience with the Pope and have support at the "highest political level" .. the Prime Minister ? (Unconfirmed Web gossip claims PM in-waiting Gordon Brown, has had telephone conversations with the McCanns in recent days and has been instrumental in putting pressure on the Portuguese Police to release information) .Pictures of the Pope are used to familiarise those in the TV audience who may be unacquainted with him or his role or indeed his range of exceptional headgear. There are also pictures ofthe local Church and the McCans, she with her 2 tone green/yellow dangling hair ribbons and clutching a cuddly toy, which are fast becoming the icons/image of the Mc Cann brand.

Clarence Mitchell is interviewed and the screen caption describes him as Family Liason Manager . he explains that Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has been active in arranging the papal audience due on Wednesday. Apparently the UK Ambassador to the Holy See has also been involved in making arrangements with with Pope Benedict XVI's staff.

Nowhere (except in the alert blogosphere) is Clarence Mitchell correctly described as a Civil Servant who is also the director of the Media Monitoring Unit within the Central Office of Information(COI) and is based in Downing Street.

The current Account balance of the Fund displayed on the official website stays stubbornly at £313,091.17.

If you are at all interested a barmy woman has composed an Astrological Birth Chart for Madeleine and an immense essay explaining Love, Truth, Beauty etc., and what happened to Madeleine and why. Click here. Scoff not, it probably works as well as a visit to the Holy City.

For cheap laughs consult ...Here