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Father speaks over Khyra's death Father speaks over Khyra's death
(10 minutes later)
The father of a seven-year-old girl who allegedly starved to death has called what happened "absolutely disgraceful".The father of a seven-year-old girl who allegedly starved to death has called what happened "absolutely disgraceful".
An independent inquiry has been launched into the death of Khyra Ishaq, of Handsworth, Birmingham.An independent inquiry has been launched into the death of Khyra Ishaq, of Handsworth, Birmingham.
Angela Gordon, 33, and Junaid Abuhamza, 29, have been charged with neglect in connection with her death.Angela Gordon, 33, and Junaid Abuhamza, 29, have been charged with neglect in connection with her death.
Ishaq Abu Zaire vowed to find out what happened to his daughter. Birmingham City Council has said Khyra was not in its care at the time of her death.Ishaq Abu Zaire vowed to find out what happened to his daughter. Birmingham City Council has said Khyra was not in its care at the time of her death.
Speaking for the first time about his daughter's death, Mr Abu Zaire told the BBC: "I'm just as ignorant as everyone else as to what happened.Speaking for the first time about his daughter's death, Mr Abu Zaire told the BBC: "I'm just as ignorant as everyone else as to what happened.
"But... you can put your house on it that we're going to find out, one way or another, we are going to find out exactly what happened here.""But... you can put your house on it that we're going to find out, one way or another, we are going to find out exactly what happened here."
'In shock''In shock'
Birmingham social services have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Khyra's death. Her five siblings are now in foster care.Birmingham social services have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Khyra's death. Her five siblings are now in foster care.
Khyra's father said he feels let down by the authorities.Khyra's father said he feels let down by the authorities.
"As far as I can see because I have a dead child right now, they did nothing, they did nothing," he said."As far as I can see because I have a dead child right now, they did nothing, they did nothing," he said.
Two people have been charged in connection with Khyra's death Khyra Ishaq's father on her death
"They never lifted a finger to do anything... so they are responsible as well.""They never lifted a finger to do anything... so they are responsible as well."
He said the last time he saw all of the children, including Khyra, the girl was happy and there was "no concern... with regards to her health".He said the last time he saw all of the children, including Khyra, the girl was happy and there was "no concern... with regards to her health".
Khyra's father had been out of the country until Saturday and he said he had not seen his children in more than a year.Khyra's father had been out of the country until Saturday and he said he had not seen his children in more than a year.
Earlier, Khyra's grandmother Isolene Clark said she could not express the pain she felt over the death of her granddaughter.Earlier, Khyra's grandmother Isolene Clark said she could not express the pain she felt over the death of her granddaughter.
'Let down''Let down'
She questioned why social services had not intervened and why the family had to find out about Khyra's death from the media.She questioned why social services had not intervened and why the family had to find out about Khyra's death from the media.
"My grandchildren have been let down by the very people that are supposed to protect them and ensure they are safe," she said."My grandchildren have been let down by the very people that are supposed to protect them and ensure they are safe," she said.
"From the moment this terrible thing happened to my grandchildren and my beautiful granddaughter had died, I feel that me and my family have not been treated fairly."From the moment this terrible thing happened to my grandchildren and my beautiful granddaughter had died, I feel that me and my family have not been treated fairly.
"No-one from the authorities had told me my granddaughter was dead and my grandchildren seriously ill."No-one from the authorities had told me my granddaughter was dead and my grandchildren seriously ill.
"I understand police wanted my son to be told first but in the absence of my son, I should have been told.""I understand police wanted my son to be told first but in the absence of my son, I should have been told."
She added that she had always been present in her grandchildren's lives but she had not seen them since falling ill in February.She added that she had always been present in her grandchildren's lives but she had not seen them since falling ill in February.
She said she last saw Khyra at Christmas, and she had been "jumping and kicking like little kids do".She said she last saw Khyra at Christmas, and she had been "jumping and kicking like little kids do".
An independent panel met in Birmingham on Friday to discuss Khyra, who died in hospital last Saturday.An independent panel met in Birmingham on Friday to discuss Khyra, who died in hospital last Saturday.
Birmingham City Council said on Saturday: "We endeavoured to contact the close members of the family as soon as we possibly could after the death.Birmingham City Council said on Saturday: "We endeavoured to contact the close members of the family as soon as we possibly could after the death.
"Khyra was not in the care of social services at the time of her death.""Khyra was not in the care of social services at the time of her death."