Information about the Madeleine McCann co-ordinating group set up after 8 May 2007 under the Chairmanship of Leicestershire Constabulary's Head of Corporate Communications

The request was refused by Leicestershire Constabulary.

Dear Leicestershire Constabulary,

In written evidence to the Leveson enquiry, Mr Matt Baggott, former head of Leicestershire Police at the time Madeleine McCann was reported missing, made these statements, either in writing, or orally:

(1) “On 8 May 2007 Leicestershire Constabulary was asked to co-ordinate the UK response to assist the Portuguese enquiry on behalf of the UK Government and Association of Chief Police Officers. The Gold Strategy set on this date established that it was a Portuguese-led enquiry and that all actions would comply with requirements of Portuguese law including their Judicial Secrecy Act. Due to the unprecedented media interest in the UK, a co-ordination group was set up on behalf of law enforcement agencies and government departments to coordinate the media interaction and ensure that a consistent stance was taken. This co-ordinating group was chaired by the Head of Corporate Communications from Leicestershire Constabulary. That group has continued to meet as required since 2007”, and

(2) “Due to the thirst for information from the media, every individual
working in Leicestershire supporting the police investigation signed a confidentiality agreement. Messages were also disseminated to all staff to make them aware that even private conversations with friends could be reported on in the media…the confidentiality agreement…was something that was put together by the Gold group who were running the enquiry as part of the U.K. effort, not by myself as Chief Constable”.

Please supply the following information to amplify these on-the-record public statements at a public enquiry by Matt Baggott:

1. Who, on 8 May 2007, asked Matt Baggott to set up the ‘co-ordinating group’ to which he refers?

2. Matt Baggott refers to the ‘Gold Strategy’ being set on the same date (8 May 2007). Which person or persons determined the ‘Gold Strategy’?

3. What was the ‘Gold Strategy’ (please provide a copy of the document in physical or electronic form).

4. Matt Baggott says: “…a co-ordination group was set up on behalf of law enforcement agencies and government departments…” Please state the date this co-ordination group was set up and the date of its first meeting.

5. Please list all ‘law enforcement agencies’, ‘government departments’ and any other individuals, groups or agencies who were members of this co-ordinating group (a) at its outset and (b) at any time during its existence.

6. Who was the Head of Corporate Communications for Leicestershire Police when the co-ordinating group was set up? Does he still chair this group? If not, please give the names of those persons who have subsequently chaired this group, with the dates of any changes.

7. On what date was it decided that (quote Matt Baggott) ‘every individual working in Leicestershire supporting the police investigation’ must sign a confidentialty agreement?

8. Please supply in physical or electronic form a copy of the confidentiality agreement.

9. How many staff in total signed the confidentiality agreement?

10. Is the ‘co-ordination group’ still in existence?

11. On what dates, and at what locations, has the co-ordination group met since 8 May 2007?

12. Was the co-ordination group at any time (and if so, on what date) made aware of the statements made in May 2007 by two General Practitioners, Drs Arul and Katharina Gaspar, which contained allegations against two members of the McCanns’ group of friends, and which was not delivered to the Portuguese Police until October 2007.

Yours faithfully,

Anthony Bennett

Booth Christine,

Dear Mr Bennett

 

 

RE: Information about the Madeleine McCann co-ordinating group set up
after 8 May 2007

 

 I acknowledge receipt of your request for information under the Freedom
of Information Act 2000.

 

This is receiving our attention and a response will be sent to you in due
course and within the specified time

 

Your response should be received by 2nd October 2014

 

 

 

 

With Kind Regards

Chris Booth

 

Information Management

Leicestershire Police

Telephone: 0116 222 2222 Ext 5222

Website:[1]http://leics.police.uk

Email to: [2][Leicestershire Constabulary request email]

 

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Dear Booth Christine,

Your response is overdue, when can I expect the information please?

Yours sincerely,

Anthony Bennett

Booth Christine,

Your email has been forwarded to Steven Morris who is dealing with your response.

With Kind Regards
Chris Booth

Information Management
Leicestershire Police
Telephone: 0116 222 2222 Ext 5222
Website:http://leics.police.uk
Email to: [Leicestershire Constabulary request email]

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Data Protection,

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Bennett

Please find attached our response to your Freedom of Information request.

Thank you for your interest in Leicestershire Police.

Kind Regards

Steven Morris

Steven Morris
T/Disclosure Officer
Information Management
Professional Standards

Email: [email address]
Tel Ext: 5219
Fax Ext: 5207

www.leics.police.uk

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