Day 132 - 12/09/2007 Wednesday , Madeleine Beth McCann

Day 132 - 12/09/2007 Wednesday, Madeleine Beth McCann

 

 

Statement by the Board of  Madeleine’s Fund:

Leaving No Stone Unturned Limited

12 September 2007 -

 

The Fund would like to thank everyone for their kindness, support and generosity. 

 

Madeleine’s Fund was set up to:

 

Find Madeleine;

 

Support the Family; and

 

Bring the abductor or abductors to justice

 

and subject to that to help other missing children

 

 

With the sudden dramatic and unexpected turn of events at the weekend the directors had to consider whether legal defence costs could be paid for by the Fund. 

 

 

The Board has taken advice from Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP and Christopher McCall QC.  The Board has been advised that payment of Gerry and Kate’s legal defence costs would be legally permissible subject to conditions about repayment in the event of a guilty conviction. 

 

 

The directors of the Fund discussed this today.  The two family directors, Brian Kennedy and John McCann withdrew from the meeting when the decision was made. Esther Mcvey chaired the meeting.

 

 

The Fund directors realise that there is not only a legal answer and recognise the spirit which underlies the generous donations to Madeleine’s Fund, which it

is the directors’ responsibility to steer.

 

 

For this reason the Fund directors have decided not to pay for Gerry and Kate’s legal defence costs.  We stress that Gerry and Kate have not asked for these costs to be paid.  However, people have already called in offering their financial support.  Any such fund to pay legal defence costs would have to be separately set up and administered.   

 

 

At the heart of this campaign and Fund is a little girl confused, lonely and in need of her parents.  This Fund’s money will be focused on finding that little girl and leaving no stone unturned. 

 

12 September 2007