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PM rejects Baby P 'buck-passing' PM rejects Baby P 'buck-passing'
(19 minutes later)
The prime minister has rejected allegations of "buck-passing" in the Baby P case.The prime minister has rejected allegations of "buck-passing" in the Baby P case.
The Tories have accused ministers of not doing enough despite being told of alleged failings in Haringey Council months before the child died.The Tories have accused ministers of not doing enough despite being told of alleged failings in Haringey Council months before the child died.
They were reacting to the news that a whistle-blower tried to warn the government six months before Baby P's death in August 2007.They were reacting to the news that a whistle-blower tried to warn the government six months before Baby P's death in August 2007.
Gordon Brown's spokesman said the correct procedures had been followed.Gordon Brown's spokesman said the correct procedures had been followed.
Baby P, 17 months, died following abuse. His mother and two men were convicted of causing his death.Baby P, 17 months, died following abuse. His mother and two men were convicted of causing his death.
The spokesman said: "There is an appropriate body for complaints regarding social careThe spokesman said: "There is an appropriate body for complaints regarding social care
"It is right that complaints should be directed to the Commission for Social Care Inspection to take appropriate action.""It is right that complaints should be directed to the Commission for Social Care Inspection to take appropriate action."
The public are tired of hearing that 'correct procedures have been followed' when a child died in agony Michael GoveTory spokesman
The spokesman could not say when Gordon Brown had become aware of the whistle-blower's claims, but added: "He's remained in very close touch with the secretary of state and has clearly taken a close interest in what has been a tragic case."The spokesman could not say when Gordon Brown had become aware of the whistle-blower's claims, but added: "He's remained in very close touch with the secretary of state and has clearly taken a close interest in what has been a tragic case."
HAVE YOUR SAYSocial workers need to have the confidence, intelligence and support to act sooner rather than laterCheryl KeySend us your comments
Former social worker Nevres Kemal sent a letter about her concerns regarding Haringey Council to the Department of Health in February 2007.Former social worker Nevres Kemal sent a letter about her concerns regarding Haringey Council to the Department of Health in February 2007.
She was worried that children in the borough continued to be "at risk".She was worried that children in the borough continued to be "at risk".
'Profoundly concerned'
This was despite an inquiry into the killing of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie - she died from abuse and neglect in the same borough eight years ago.This was despite an inquiry into the killing of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie - she died from abuse and neglect in the same borough eight years ago.
Ms Kemal believed recommendations made by Lord Laming following that inquiry were still not being followed.Ms Kemal believed recommendations made by Lord Laming following that inquiry were still not being followed.
Her letter was passed to the Department for Children, Schools and Families, which said proper procedures were followed. Her letter was passed to the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), which said proper procedures were followed.
HAVE YOUR SAY Nothing will be learned from this. Most of what will be done will be damage limitation Jay Steele, DerbySend us your comments
Haringey Council has issued an injunction against Ms Kemal so that she cannot talk directly about the case or anything to do with "child protection matters".
She is now pursuing a claim of constructive dismissal from the council.
The DCSF confirmed it received a letter dated 16 February 2007 containing allegations "that child protection procedures were not being followed in Haringey".
A spokesman claimed "standard procedures" were followed and after the letter went between various departments, Ms Kemal was told to notify the Commission for Social Care Inspection as it would take "appropriate action".
BBC political correspondent Carole Walker said: "I am told the ministers did not see that letter but officials judged it was the right thing to do to pass it on to the commission. We don't know yet what action was taken.
"Until we know what action was taken in response, there will be questions asked about why alarm bells didn't ring any sooner."
Ms Kemal's lawyer, Lawrence Davies said: "If the social care inspectorate had acted on it or the ministers had acted on it [the letter], it seems hard to believe that the situation in which Baby P was seen 60 times in total... presumably several times after February, couldn't have been averted."
Public inquiry call
The shadow childrens' secretary, Michael Gove, said no government department appeared to have been willing to act on the warning.The shadow childrens' secretary, Michael Gove, said no government department appeared to have been willing to act on the warning.
He said: "I think the public will be profoundly concerned that ministers were informed six months before Baby P's death". He said: "The public are tired of hearing that 'correct procedures have been followed' when a child died in agony.
"I think profound concerns are also raised by the fact that, in Whitehall, what we seem to have had was bureaucratic buck-passing, rather than a proper, vigorous attempt to follow through on these concerns." "Ministers were told six months before Baby P's death that there were profoundproblems in Haringey's children's services department.
Ms Kemal has been banned from discussing the matter after local authority took out an injunction against her. "Yet all that appears to have happened is the... gagging of thewhistleblower and bureaucratic buck-passing in Whitehall."
Local Lib Dem MP Lynne Featherstone wants a public inquiry and she told the BBC that someone at the council should take responsibility.
The political row about Baby P comes on the same day as a newspaper report quoted two Haringey social workers claiming that council staff faced an extremely heavy workload which was difficult to cope with.
No-one at Haringey Council has lost their job over the case.
The council welcomed a government review, saying it would be "open and co-operative" with inspectors and would implement the findings "swiftly and comprehensively".