Letters From A Tory Daily views on British politics and the Conservative Party from a centre-right thinker who writes letters on his blog to politicians, journalists and many others.

Dear Jan Moir,

Your thought-provoking column in the Telegraph this morning about the way the public view the disappearance of Madeleine McCann raised some issues that have still yet to be addressed in the minds of the public.

Your point about the story feeling like a real-life game of Cluedo may sound demeaning, but it is an astute observation in my opinion.  It’s almost as though the public, myself included, feel a need to know what happened in light of the media coverage.  The convoluted nature of the reports that we receive from Portugal undoubtedly compound this and after the unprecedented media hype I think you’re right to observe that we all feel like part-time criminal psychologists – as if somehow we claim to understand the motives of all the actions of everyone involved.

For Kate and Gerry McCann to have enjoyed assistance from world leaders and celebrities in finding their daughter, only to try and run from the media when things turn against them, is symptomatic of the public’s desire for answers and the media’s desire to provide them (sometimes regardless of what effect the headlines may have on the work of the Portuguese police).  I am as clueless as everyone else about what really happened to Madeleine, and yet I can’t help but have constructed my own detective story about the events on and since her disappearance.  I suspect many other people have done the same.  Our fascination with the McCanns has reached the point where we are almost suffering withdrawal symptoms if we don’t get another fix of scandal and deceit and I am as guilty as everyone else of wanting to know more and lapping up the incredible headlines.

Yours in regret,

A.Tory