Karen Matthews brands Kate McCann a ‘dreadful mother’

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by Emma Dodds |
Published on

Erm... Pot-kettle-black?!

Karen Matthews is infamous across the country for kidnapping her own daughter for financial gain.

In 2008, when the world was still reeling from the disappearance of Madeleine McCann less than a year earlier, another missing child story gripped the UK.

A photo of innocent nine-year-old Shannon Matthews was everywhere, everyone hoping that she would be found - alive and unharmed. Her mother, Karen, appealed publicly for information and convincingly put across the image of being a mother in turmoil.

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The face of little Shannon was everywhere (Credit: Rex Features) ©Rex Features

Thankfully, she was found just under a month later. But it transpired that her abduction was at the hands of her own mother, who, along with her boyfriend Craig Meehan, organised with Meehan's uncle Michael Donovan to drug the little girl and keep her hidden in a divan bed.

The discovery sent shockwaves through the hearts of every family, as people found themselves asking how a mother could put her own daughter through that.

Karen is now nationally hated, even being known as "Britain's worst mum" to some.

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Karen Matthews, who kidnapped her own daughter (Credit: Getty Images) ©Getty Images

However, it has now been revealed that she has made bizarre comments about Madeleine McCann's mum, Kate - slamming her as a "dreadful mother".

Karen's friend Julie Bushby, who has become something of a national treasure after being portrayed by Sheridan Smith in drama The Moorside last month, has revealed that Karen made the shocking remarks on one occasion when she visited her in prison.

READ MORE | Madeleine McCann timeline: A decade since her disappearance

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Julie Bushby, Karen's friend and neighbour, stood by her and visited her in prison (Credit: ITV) ©ITV

According to Julie, who was speaking to MailOnline, Karen said: "Don't get me onto the McCanns, we've all got something to say about them.

"I've been judged and I'm paying for it but Maddie's mother was bad too. At least my daughter was never left alone!"

As if trying to redeem her own actions, she then said: "We're too lower class for them but we can still have an opinion. There seems to be one rule for them and another for us but she was a dreadful mum.

"She left one, two, three babies alone while she was out eating and drinking with her mates. My Shannon was kept away from her family but she was never left alone."

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Shannon was "missing" for nearly a month (Credit: Getty Images) ©Getty Images

Julie revealed to the site that she wrote diary entries every time she visited Matthews in prison: "Karen talked about Maddie and her family, the difference and unfairness of their social situations.

"She's never understood why British and Portuguese police haven't taken it any further and asks in her simple almost child-like state if it's because 'they're rich and posh and she's poor and common'.

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Karen served four years of her prison sentence (Credit: Getty Images) ©Getty Images

Karen was released from prison after serving four years of her sentence in 2012 and has attempted to take on a new name - ironically wanting to be known as "Kate".

This comes after scrutiny around Kate and Gerry McCann has increased over the past few weeks, especially after the appearance of investigative journalist Mark Williams-Thomas on This morning last week.

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The McCanns appealing for info on their daughter Madeleine (Credit: Getty Images) ©Getty Images

We have an exclusive debate with Kerry Needham, mother of missing child Ben Needham, and Jodie Marsh, who has publicly stated her disdain for the McCanns - but who do you agree with?

Do you think Karen is trying to excuse her actions? Or do you think that she may have a point? Let us know over on Facebook and Twitter.

Like this? Now read these:

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