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Madeleine McCann detectives fail in bid to quiz paedophile over disappearance
Justin Davenport, Crime Correspondent11.06.09
Final attempts by private detectives searching for Madeleine McCann to interview a convicted British paedophile about her disappearance have failed.
Retired UK policemen Dave Edgar and Arthur Cowley flew to Germany yesterday hoping to speak to Raymond Hewlett, 64, who is said to have been staying an hour's drive from the McCanns' Portuguese holiday flat when the girl vanished on 3 May 2007.
But negotiations between the private investigators and Hewlett's German lawyer broke down today.
Mr Edgar, who has been employed by Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, said he was "very disappointed" with the lawyer's behaviour.
He went on: "I have been attempting to speak with Raymond Hewlett to eliminate him from our investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
"He is not a suspect but I was keen to interview him because of his failing health. I have tried over the past weeks to arrange this via his lawyer in Germany.
"These negotiations have been difficult for reasons which I do not want to go into detail about.
"From information provided by his lawyer and other sources it is obvious that his health is such that any meaningful interview would not be possible."
The detective said he had been told that the paedophile, who has throat cancer, could only manage a 60-minute interview when to quiz him properly about Madeleine's disappearance would take five hours.
Reader views (10)
This is trial by media which is wrong. Whatever this man has done is for the Police and a judge to decide not hired help. Good to see common sense is not allowing mob rule. A few very good posts gary Amazonmothe Max, Carla Sonia.
- Jones, Ealing
I agree with Gary, Max and Amazonmothe. As Gary has said, if the German authority haven't investigated this, then why should these private detectives be taken seriously?
- Sonia M., St Albans, Herts
Bloke, London- The REAL POLICE DID interview this man on the first couple of weeks after her disaperance.
He gave an alibi.
The alibi was confirmed.
mb you should read the real police report and not the propaganda in the uk press.
- Carla, London
Yes indeed, why SHOULD the McCann's abandon hope? If your child went missing Amazonmothe, wouldn't you move hell and high water to find him or her? The McCanns are the victims here let's not forget. Jeez - some of you people need to find some compassion.
- Sharon, London
"He is not a suspect but I was keen to interview him because of his failing health. I have tried over the past weeks to arrange this via his lawyer in Germany."
If he is not a suspect why on earth do you want to interview him Mr Edgar. Only because he has failing health ?
What a strange statement to make.
- John Smith, London , England
Bloke, London And where did you get that train of though?
- Gary, Brentwood 2
The sad truth is it was the REAL police officers on this case who worked on hype and not evidence. They squandered time early in the investigation barking up fictional trees. Who can blame the McCanns for pursuing reasonable leads? Why should they abandon hope?
- Bloke, London
I agree completely with the comments of Amazonmothe, hasting. The Macanns are just clutchuing at straws. Why don't they donate what's left of the fund to a charity for missing persons, so many more who need help can be helped now, rather than throwing it at ghosts and glimmers of far fetched hope!
- Max, Dublin, Eire
Bounty hunters not real policemen. The McCanns still expecting 'special' treatment. They constantly add to the distress or parents of missing children by bombarding their neglect with money seeking preferential treatment gestures. God help all the little ones
- Amazonmothe, hasting
If a crime has been committed REAL police officers should be involved, who work on evidence not hype. I am sure had the German, UK or Portuguese police any 'EVIDENCE' linked to this person they would interview the person not hired guns looking for headlines
- Gary, Brentwood 2
