McCann’s hire security firm

[Guest David Guyatt]

It has been announced this morning, that the McCann’s hired security firm, Control Risks Group, four months ago to investigate the disappearance of their daughter Madeleine.

Who are Control Risks Group (CRG)?

Founded in 1973, by the insurance & travel company Hogg Robinson, CRG was formed to advise Lloyds insurance syndicates on risks and premiums in kidnap and ransom insurance. It boats the biggest corporations in the world amongst its clientele.

Over the decades, its board of directors and consultants have been a veritable who’s who of the top brass from the military and intelligence world, with representation from Britain’s intelligence and security services, military and police. It also had representation from the FBI and the CIA. A strong presence of former SAS officers is also noted.

Speculation that CRG has been involved in covert paramilitary operations, including assassination are denied, but have continued to persist in some circles.

A one time subsidiary of CRG was KMS that was originally formed in 1974, under the managing directorship of former SAS Major David Walker who was also a founding director of CRG. Walker, along with former commanding officer of SAS Reserve, 21 SAS, Colonel Jim Johnson. Together they organised a management buy out of KMS that was registered in Jersey using laws of confidentiality to conceal the identity of owners and directors. For many years this confidentiality was screened behind four Jersey based bankers who worked for British investment bank Morgan Grenfell – who are known to have provided cover, in the past, for MI6 officers abroad. This link was, however, broken in 1987 after Irangate broke publicly.

Walker and Johnson later founded another entity, SALADIN SECURITY. Registered in London in 1978, specialising in VIP protection. At one time their only client was Saudi Prince Bandr.

For additional information see:

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title...rol_Risks_Group

David Walker was closely involved in the UD Irangate affair. In 1984, former US Navy Secretary advised Oliver North to meet with Walker. North met with him, the first of several subsequent meetings, in December 1984. North was later to write to Irangate player, Adolfo Calero, urging him to make use of some of his [North’s] “British friend and his services for special operations.” Walker’s involvement in the Irangate affair was discussed behind closed doors by the Congessinal Committee investigating the affair.

Oliver North when questioned by the Congressional Committee about Walker’s role in the affair, demurred saying “I think there are equities that belong to foreign governments here.”

Foreign governments….

A statement that just goes to prove that our Ollie never was the sharpest knife in the draw.

In conclusion one may be forgiven for thinking that these possible (or should it be “probable”?) connections to British and American governments and their intelligence apparatus may have a decided resonance in the McCann case….

David

Edited September 24, 2007 by David Guyatt

[Guest Stephen Turner]

Walker and Johnson later founded another entity, SALADIN SECURITY. Registered in London in 1978, specialising in VIP protection. At one time their only client was Saudi Prince Bandr.

David

As in Bandr "Bush" our Georgies little playmate, and erstwhile Carlyle group member?

[Guest Gary Loughran]

In conclusion one may be forgiven for thinking that these possible (or should it be “probable”?) connections to British and American governments and their intelligence apparatus may have a decided resonance in the McCann case….

David

David, baby me through an extension/extrapolation of the above conlclusion please. It's a very interesting group. Can anything be read into the selection of that specific investigative group - the seeming swiftness of their appointment - the perception of leniency by the British Media - background of the McCann's???

[Guest David Guyatt]

In conclusion one may be forgiven for thinking that these possible (or should it be “probable”?) connections to British and American governments and their intelligence apparatus may have a decided resonance in the McCann case….

David

David, baby me through an extension/extrapolation of the above conlclusion please. It's a very interesting group. Can anything be read into the selection of that specific investigative group - the seeming swiftness of their appointment - the perception of leniency by the British Media - background of the McCann's???

The very same. Also famous for being Thatcher's and Bae's playmate in arranging the massive arms deal: Al Yamanah.

David

[Guest David Guyatt]

In conclusion one may be forgiven for thinking that these possible (or should it be “probable”?) connections to British and American governments and their intelligence apparatus may have a decided resonance in the McCann case….

David

David, baby me through an extension/extrapolation of the above conlclusion please. It's a very interesting group. Can anything be read into the selection of that specific investigative group - the seeming swiftness of their appointment - the perception of leniency by the British Media - background of the McCann's???

Gary, It's not really a conclusion more a question I pose. The appointment of CRG may be entirely innocent. But I'm not sure it is. I still harbour grave doubts about the Portugese police's performance. Is it that they're just bloody useless? Is it that they're protecting their tourist trade and must blame another Brit for having a paedophile on the loose, which they cannot apprehend? Is it something darker that they're protecting from sunlight. Are the McCann's being wisely led to have chosen a security entity that has such a dark history and such close covert government connections?

In the latter's case, I would note that some years ago I was sent a breifing paper on the privatised British security and intelligence networks. Every company was detailed and a brief summary of their origins and modus operandi provided. According to the writer of this brief (who had cause to be knowledgeable in that field), Control Risks were described as "...the root of the security companies family tree."

Hope this helps.

David