I can't imagine what the McCanns must be going through just now. We can all criticise them for leaving their children alone in the flat---yes, it was irresponsible---yes, it was selfish---yes, it was unnecessary in a country as child-friendly as Portugal---but all the same, I don't think that this act of stupidity (or even neglect) deserves this punishment. For some time I have believed that Madeleine is dead---but it gives me no comfort to hear the Portuguese police finally admit that they came to the same conclusion some time ago. Perhaps now that the investigation is, effectively, a murder inquiry, the police will be able to find the culprit without the distraction of sightings that are wishful thinking when they are not simply the acts of pathetic attention seekers. Still, I hope that I am wrong, and that Madeleine will be reunited with her family.