Crank, Hoax, Cruel Joke or Hope?

**el duder** · 7 June 2007, 12:51

Originally posted by Kyajae

Mystery Call Sparks New Madeleine Lead
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/...269394,00.html

Whos funding this merry go round for the McCanns?

The British Embassy? i.e The Government? i.e The Tax Payer?

**gingerjedi** · 7 June 2007, 12:54

They revealed they had been asked to draw up a new flight plan involving a possible change from Amsterdam to East Midlands Airport.

It was thought the McCanns might need to go back to the UK to talk to advisers about the call.

Ransom? They do have a rather large 'fighting fund'.

**Bluebird** · 7 June 2007, 13:03

Originally posted by el duder

Whos funding this merry go round for the McCanns?

The British Embassy? i.e The Government? i.e The Tax Payer?

I believe that a "fund" has been set up which the general public have been donating towards, my guess is that most of the money comes from this.

As regards the British Embassy - looking after UK citizens in foreign countries is what they do isn't it ?

**PRC1964** · 7 June 2007, 13:16

Originally posted by Bluebird

As regards the British Embassy - looking after UK citizens in foreign countries is what they do isn't it ?

No. They are there to look after British interests, not to bail out members of the public.

**gingerjedi** · 7 June 2007, 13:19

Originally posted by PRC1964

No. They are there to look after British interests, not to bail out members of the public.

So members of the British public are not of interest?

**Bluebird** · 7 June 2007, 13:23

from the Foreign Office Website.........

Originally posted by PRC1964

No. They are there to look after British interests, not to bail out members of the public.

FCO Consular Services

Our consular service is a major operation. Every hour of every day staff throughout our worldwide network of Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates are helping British nationals. It is one of the most important parts of the Government's foreign policy.

During the 2003-04 financial year British nationals made over 60 million trips abroad. Our 1,800 Consular staff helped over 87,000 British travellers and issued over 455,000 passports.

**Troll** · 7 June 2007, 13:30

It could be that the kidnappers realise that with all the publicity, the child is too hot and are looking to cash in on the reward offered (best case)

Or it could just be a crank

**PRC1964** · 7 June 2007, 13:30

Originally posted by Bluebird

FCO Consular Services

Our consular service is a major operation. Every hour of every day staff throughout our worldwide network of Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates are helping British nationals. It is one of the most important parts of the Government's foreign policy.

During the 2003-04 financial year British nationals made over 60 million trips abroad. Our 1,800 Consular staff helped over 87,000 British travellers and issued over 455,000 passports.

Yes, they do issue passports and pass on Foriegn Office information leaflets. However, try asking them for some cash to get you back to Britain and you'll be politely shown the door. The most they will do (quite rightly) is to help you make contact with someone in the UK who will pay for you.

Anyway, 87,000 people helped out of a total of 60 million trips is hardly a lot.

**Kyajae** · 7 June 2007, 13:35

Originally posted by PRC1964

Yes, they do issue passports and pass on Foriegn Office information leaflets. However, try asking them for some cash to get you back to Britain and you'll be politely shown the door. The most they will do (quite rightly) is to help you make contact with someone in the UK who will pay for you.

Anyway, 87,000 people helped out of a total of 60 million trips is hardly a lot.

It's staffed by civil servants, FFS, they're not there to be helpful or provide a service.

Crank, Hoax, Cruel Joke or Hope?