AN Irish investigator who played a leading role in the search for Madeleine McCann has said her parents do not need any trauma of a Polish woman coming forward to claim she is the missing girl.
County Down investigator Jim Gamble, who is a leading child safety expert and on Portugal’s Algarve in May 2017, said a DNA test on Julia Wendell should have been carried out behind the scenes – and out of the glare of publicity.
Former senior RUC and PSNI officer Mr Gamble led the 2010 review that led to the creation of Operation Grange – the London Metropolitan Police’s own investigation into the disappearance of Maddie, whose parents Gerry and Kate McCann live in Leicestershire.
He also led the UK’s child protection agency CEOP and is regarded as a world expert in the field – and he has now told the Irish Mirror it would have been better if the claims were examined outside the glare of publicity.
Ms Wendell has alleged the McCanns have approached her to take a DNA test after making claims on social media she and Madeleine could be the same person despite their apparent two-year age difference.
Julia Wendell's case has sparked outrage online among many who do not believe she is grown-up Maddie, who went missing at the age of four 16 years ago in Portugal's Praia da Luz.
The 21-year-old - who appears to use three different surnames - went viral on social media after going ‘Live’ to share supposed "evidence" that she is Madeleine - which included having freckles in the same place and a rare Coloboma in her eye.
Mr Gamble also told The Irish Mirror that the woman’s claims may have led to more trauma for the McCann family.
He told us a private DNA test would have avoided that trauma.
He said: “A simple DNA test should have been discreetly arranged. The parents don’t need the trauma of claims based on assumption.
“Whatever the case, and whoever she is, this young person may well need help.”
Julia Wendell's case has sparked outrage online among many who do not believe she is grown-up Maddie.
As the backlash continues to grow, Wendell has now sought help from a Persian medium, Dr Fia Johansson, who has reportedly helped the US police on missing person cases.
The self-professed psychic issued a statement claiming to be investigating Julia’s case and has urged people giving the young woman hate online to stop and "respect her privacy".
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