Originally I was going to ignore this but, since there appears to be little happening that is of any importance, I thought some light entertainment was in order. So here we go. First the link if you should feel like reading the whole thing (remove xxxx to access) which appears to start around page 42, then some succinct snippets. Sykes
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Re: Twitter (News and important information only please)
Post Tony Bennett on Tue Apr 12, 2016 5:26 pm
This story has surfaced today
Concerning these stories about some 'anti' and money, there are rumours flying that it's Hoho herself:
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Francis Williams We can confirm that Lizzy Taylor is the troll at the centre of the financial con allegations. We are working with the affected people to ensure their voices are heard and the public is made aware of the actions of the Canadian troll. We are VERY confident that this will now bring an end to the many years of smearing of Madeleine and her family that this troll has instigated.
We will ensure that Madeleine receives the justice that she deserves.
Chris Roberts @Chris_Roberts23 3h3 hours ago
#mccann
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Statement from Ben Thompson
Post Bobbysgirl Today at 6:21 pm
The following statement has been passed to me from Ben Thompson. He is not a member of this forum, so has asked me to post on his behalf:
Hi everybody, I see from Tony Bennett's screenshot, and write up, that certain direct accusations and implications have been made toward myself, and Leanne. I would like to address those here.
1. As I told Tony on twitter last night, and as he was told by others, I had no part in setting up the fund, running the fund, or indeed any role whatsoever within the fund. The only part I did play was the same as any other supporter. To tweet, give updates, (available publicly) and to write the odd post in the group I created; Justice For Madeleine.
2. I am a little surprised that Tony didn't do a little research before casting accusations, and requesting an audit trail from Leanne. The PJGA have already stated that they received the money DIRECTLY from gofundme. Leanne merely fronted the campaign after discussing the idea with the PJGA. As you can see from the blog [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] which used information easily accessible to anybody with the internet. A UK bank account wasn't needed.
In simple terms, this is how gofundme operate.
A. Fund set up.
B. Public donate.
C. Donations to gofundme are sent via a merchant (stripe) to the nominated bank account.
D. As confirmed by the PJGA, the destination account used was their own. The same one they have used since 2009.
3. Tony insinuates that it is odd that Leanne didn't reply to his message via CMoMM. I fail to see why this is such a surprise. Leanne left the case having endured some horrendous abuse, and harassment. She answered the same questions, often from the same people, on a daily basis.
4. What Leanne did, by setting up the fund, was a brave move for a young lady. One she can be proud of, and one she can look back on as a achievement for a cause she showed huge belief in. She has every right to move on, pursue her goals, and leave that behind.
5. If as Tony suggests, he has heard anything to the contrary about Leanne, I suggest instead of insinuating it, he takes the information to the authorities, along with the person's name who passed him this "information". That way Leanne, if she chooses to, can seek legal advice with a view to prosecuting the person behind the "information" If indeed any was passed.
6. As I touched upon before, for a man who prides himself on his research, I find it unbelievable, irresponsible, outrageous, and possibly even dangerous that Tony decided for whatever reason, to post such an inaccurate article here, knowing full well at the very least, the pros would run with it, and possibly worse.
7. The PJGA have always maintained that they are in control of all money, and all decisions made. In this case, if Tony or anybody else has questions, perhaps they should present those questions directly to them. Afterall, you wouldn't post a letter you wished to arrive in London to Aberdeen, would you.
8. Finally, I would just like to say, that barring a very select few, it has been fantastic to see so many people's support of others. I'm sure that the success of the fund took a lot of us by surprise, but it was a momentous and uplifting event. One that shouldn't be unnecessarily tarnished. I have absolute faith in everybody involved. Let's hope it bears the fruit we all hope for.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I will of course be taking a screenshot should the unlikely happen, and it is removed. As I say, I am not a member here, and therefore am unaware of how the forum operates.
Thanks again,
Ben Thompson.
Post Get'emGonçalo Today at 6:36 pm
Thank you for posting that Bobbysgirl.
Having been on the receiving end of Ben's hysterical hissy fits and threats on facebook, it's quite remarkable how his writing can change.
Bennett:
I believe this to be a reference to the GoFundMe project for Goncalo Amaral started by Leanne Baulch along with Ben Thomson.
IF IT IS, it would chime with other information which I received many weeks ago in relation to Leanne Baulch.
Again, IF IT IS, I hope that all those involved have a solid audit trail for all the money donated.
If Leanne Baulch ever looks in here these days, maybe she could reassure us on these points.
If it's nothing to do with the GoFundMe project, well, no matter then
=======
Ben Thomson has contacted me via Twitter today and explained that "neither he nor Leanne Baulch are involved with this Ash Miller nonsense".
He further states that he did not help to start the Goncalo Amaral GoFundMe project.
I am aware that it is said that PJGA 'received the money' and have been 'able to help Goncalo Amaral to fund his appeal' etc. etc.
I did ask Leanne Baulch via 'pm' on CMOMM to account for the monies raised but she did not reply.
I am not aware of any reason why she cannot make a simple statement such as
"£xx,xxx was paid to PJGA on ____ (dates)"
Robert D Guest @Robert_D_Guest 12h12 hours ago
'Canadian #McCann Troll Stole Our Money To Fund Her Campaign of Hate Against Maddie's family' from day1 she told us the McCanns are guilty
Post Bobbysgirl Today at 7:34 pm
You're welcome Jill.
I remember you both having a fallout, I think that stemmed from Tony publicly attacking Justice For Madeleine, (the group Ben used to run) simply because he removed a thread that had turned into a bitch fest against Sonia Poulton, (something Tony would have been sad to see taken down). As I recall you then posted private messages between yourself and Ben on this forum, having doctored them first. He wasn't too happy about you allowing Pamela Gurney onto your fb group either, especially after her sickening abuse of Brenda Leyland, both before and after her death, then saying you were unaware of who she was. I used to be admin with Ben at Justice, and he was always polite, supportive and honest with me. I know he can be fiery at times, but I have never seen him attack anybody without good reason. He has added a great deal of good to the cause, perhaps focusing on that would be more positive. Especially given Tony's recent post (above), that he is yet to apologise for. I have never had any issue with you, although I can understand why Ben did. I think it is unfair for you to discuss him when he isn't in the forum to defend himself. Perhaps contact him via pm and sort it out in private. I happen to know he had a lot of respect for you prior to your fallout, always spoke highly of you, and supported both the forum, and your group. With the smears above from Tony, and Ben having to take the time to address them, do you think it is fair to add yet more?
Post Get'emGonçalo Today at 7:58 pm
The private message Ben said I doctored was this:
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You say 'doctored them' like it was plural. I deleted 'Hello hunnybunch' from the above screenshot and after that I was threatened on facebook and twitter. You say he never threatens anyone without good reason. Removing 'Hello hunnybunch' was a good reason was it?
What gives him to right to dictate who is allowed on my facebook group? Pamela Gurney was allowed on my group briefly to have her say - that also resulted in Ben having a meltdown.
I said to Ben I didn't know that it was Pam Gurney who hounded Brenda Leyland, I thought it was Kate Holt - that also resulted in Ben having a meltdown.
As you can see I've kept the conversation I had with Ben on facebook and this is just one of the screenshots.
You think it is unfair of me to discuss Ben when he isn't a member of this forum yet he doesn't think twice about asking you to post his stuff here, without registering like a man to do it himself....and then issuing another mild threat at the end saying he's screenshotting it in case it's deleted. Is that going to end up on facebook and twitter too?
Ben promised to get his own back on me so I guess all this troublemaking comes from him does it?
My four year old granddaughter behaves better than Ben.
Kids...who'd have 'em yawn
Post cloak'ndagger Today at 10:01 pm
Benny's girl posting for him. .Aw shucks Nat. clapping clapping
cloak'ndagger
solved Re: Twitter (News and important information only please)
Post Bobbysgirl Today at 10:06 pm
"Benny's girl" excuse me?
Seems this forum only sticks to the rules when it suits. Jill derailing threads, and cloak n dagger being rude, as well as attempting to reveal user names.
(cloak'n'dagger is none other than Blondie)
Post cloak'ndagger Today at 10:31 pm
@Bobbysgirl wrote:
"Benny's girl" excuse me?
Seems this forum only sticks to the rules when it suits. Jill derailing threads, and cloak n dagger being rude, as well as attempting to reveal user names.
So sorry Bobbysgirl. .Rules apply here that is true and netiquette observed . Ben knows all about netiquette doesn't he?
I wish you good night, ,
Post Verdi Today at 11:31 pm
Sophiebubbles wrote: We all know here on this Forum that Go fund me was sincere and genuine and I like many others was delighted to contribute without any doubt whatsoever.
It would be much appreciated if you could drop the royal 'we' - inferring that forum members are a united force. Although I have no particular reason to doubt the sincerity of a GoFundMe initiator, it doesn't follow that I know the person to be genuine. Unless you know someone personally and/or have sufficient knowledge of their strength of character to be sure they are trustworthy, it is at the very least an act of naivety to say beyond doubt that you trust them implicitly.
Anyone you encounter on the internet is effectively a stranger, no matter how many times you exchange words - you cannot know a single thing about them other than what they tell you. Do you really put 100% trust in total strangers? That's tantamount to meeting someone you don't know from Adam on the street, handing them your credit card and PIN and asking them to meet you later at the local cafe with the cash withdrawn and your card.
It really is a personal choice if someone wishes to donate to a specific cause, via the internet, through a GoFundMe account but I think it extremely unwise to assume that it is a bona-fide cause and funds are being administered honestly. Just look at the Find Madeleine Co Ltd., all those innocent well meaning citizens who just wanted to help - what exactly happened to their donations?
You appear to be au-fait with twitter-land, you must know that people met on the internet are not necessarily to be trusted.
Post Hobs Today at 11:32 pm
When the mccann supporters, their spokesman or even the mccanns themselves start making claims and allegations, STOP.
Ask yourselves why they are coming out the woodwork and making accusations and claims?
What is it they are trying to divert attention from?
What is happening that is so sensitive to them?
From personal experience, when i get a particular reaction or response to a post, i know i have found something sensitive and it encourages me to start digging deeper.
Let the subjects guide you
AN APOLOGY TO LEANNE BAULCH
Post Tony Bennett Today at 6:56 am
Dear Leanne Baulch
A SINCERE APOLOGY
The GoFundMe project to raise donations for Goncalo Amaral, so that he could have sufficient funds to cover obtaining legal advice and assistance for his appeal to the Court of Appeal, was an excellent and successful project.
The news from the PJGA project in October last year, reported here on CMOMM, that your fund had reached the target of enabling him to obtain the necessary funds to hire a lawyer was a credit to you and you fully deserved the praise you received for your efforts. As you know, I also made a donation via GoFundMe.
On Tuesday this week I saw references on Twitter by someone called Ashley Miller to a professed ‘anti-McCann’ who had apparently been dishonest on money matters with her. I made the very bad mistake of referring to claims reported to me (which I cannot substantiate) about the operation of the GoFundProject and linking your name to Ms Miller’s allegations.
It was entirely wrong of me to do so and I publicly offer my sincere apologies to you for my post which I will now go and remove.
During the GoFundMe project, I did have some specific queries about the operation of the fund and wrote to you about them. I did not receive a reply. However, I have no basis for thinking that there was anything untoward about the operation of the fund and once again I would like to offer my personal congratulations and thanks to you for organising a highly successful project.
Tony Bennett
Post Get'emGonçalo Today at 7:12 am
Thank you Tony.
And Ben has approached me on facebook asking for bygones to be bygones and I have accepted.