First image of Baby P as whistleblower's warnings revealed

Published on Friday 14 November 2008 18:39

FRESH questions were asked last night about whether ministers and inspectors could have prevented Baby P's death, as his natural father spoke for the first time of his heartbreak.

It emerged that a whistleblower wrote to the government six months before the infant was killed, in Haringey, north London, warning of concerns about the area's child-protection services.

But ministers did not investigate further, saying it was a matter for the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI).

The row came as the first pictures emerged last night of the blond, blue-eyed toddler.

Inspectors held a meeting with Haringey Council staff but ruled they were "satisfied" with how the specific issues raised by the whistleblower had been handled.

David Cameron, the Conservative Party leader, said everyone appeared to be insisting procedures were followed rather than asking who was responsible and why they did not act.

Baby P was just 17 months old when he died in a blood-spattered cot on 3 August last year having suffered more than 50 injuries despite 60 visits from the authorities over eight months. His natural father, who cannot be named for legal reasons, condemned the three people convicted of involvement in his son's death.

In a statement read by his lawyer he said: "Those who systematically tortured P and killed him kept it a secret, not just from me but from all the people who visited the house up until P's death. Even after he died, they lied to cover up their abuse."

He also paid tribute to his "bouncing" baby son, adding: "The verdicts will help to bring closure for what has been a very traumatic time for me, P's family and indeed all those who knew and were close to him."

Meanwhile, Gordon Brown pledged to do "everything in my power" to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.

Speaking on a trip to New York, the Prime Minister said: "I am determined that everything we do, the inquiries we are having in this case, reveal everything that went on.

"But I am absolutely sure that, like me, every parent in the country is outraged and shocked by what has happened."

Haringey Council is the same local authority heavily criticised for failing to prevent the murder of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie in 2000.

The whistleblower in the current case was former social worker Nevres Kemal, who claimed on 16 February last year that Haringey had failed to act on unconnected allegations of child sexual abuse.

A review by the government education inspectorate Ofsted and the CSCI highlighted a number of "issues for improvement" and the council was ordered to resolve them "as soon as possible".

Ms Kemal's lawyer, Lawrence Davies, said her complaint was "pushed from pillar to post".

The three people convicted of involvement in killing Baby P were warned yesterday that they faced "substantial" terms in prison. The child's mother, 27, her boyfriend, 32, and lodger Jason Owen, 36, will be sentenced on 15 December.