David Cameron furious at PM over baby death inquiry
- 00:03:30
- ITN
David Cameron furious at PM over baby death inquiry
Gordon Brown has promised action after a child was battered to death while being monitored by social workers. The Prime Minister said the death of Baby P "raises serious questions that we have to address" and the Government is considering its next move after receiving a report from Haringey Council, which put the child on its "at risk" register. Pressure is growing for a public inquiry after the 17-month-old died despite the involvement of social services, police and doctors. His mother and two men face up to 14 years in prison for repeatedly assaulting the 17-month-old boy in the same London borough where Victoria Climbie died from abuse in 2000. Amid angry exchanges in the House of Commons, Tory leader David Cameron said a local review "cannot possibly" be undertaken by Haringey Council's own director of children's services. The Prime Minister said he regretted the Opposition leader making a "party political" issue of the tragic case - a comment Mr Cameron branded "cheap" and demanded he retract. Minister for Children Beverley Hughes has called in the same man who looked into the Climbie case to conduct an independent nationwide review. An Old Bailey jury heard how Baby P, who had been used as a "punchbag", died in August last year from a broken back and other injuries sustained after months of vicious beatings in his home. The child's 27-year-old mother pleaded guilty to causing or allowing his death, while her 32-year-old boyfriend and lodger Jason Owen, 36, of Bromley, southeast London, were found guilty of the same charge by a jury. All three were cleared of murder after it could not be proved who caused the fatal injury. The defendants, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, will be sentenced on December 15. The court heard how baby was seen 60 times by health or social workers during an eight-month period. When he died had more than 50 injuries or bruises - 15 of them to the mouth - and at one stage had been smeared with chocolate to hide the marks. Paediatrician Dr Sabah Al-Zayyat failed to spot his broken spine or ribs when she examined him 48 hours before he was found dead in his blood-spattered cot. The little boy lived a stone's throw from eight-year-old Victoria Climbie, who was murdered by her great aunt her boyfriend after care workers and police in Haringey failed to save her. Baby P's case has been described as "worse than Climbie". Two social workers and a lawyer have been given formal written warnings over the toddler's case, the Haringey Local Safeguarding Children Board has said.
ITN | November 12, 2008
