It’s probably an uncomfortable point to make, however at Obsolete, Septicisle doesn’t shy away he compares the press coverage the disappearance of Shannon Matthews has received and the press coverage the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has and is still receiving.

After one week Shannon Matthews’ case has all but disappeared form the front pages of the press. Why is that? Septicisle speculates.

Could it possibly be because this is a distinctly working-class family, where the father and mother have split up, and where the mother is, not to put too fine a point on it, not as aesthetically sympathetic as Kate McCann was/is? Or that this has happened up in the sunny climate of Dewsbury, a classic Yorkshire town, which simply can’t compare to the attractions of Praia da Luz for the travelling hacks?

Thursdays Express when Shannon Matthews had been missing two days, rather sums it up when Madeleine McCann’s supposed sighting in France makes the front page.