This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7754407.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Baby P report 'must be published' Baby P review 'to remain secret'
(about 3 hours later)
MPs have called for a review into the death of Baby P, which pointed to failings in Haringey council's child protection services, to be made public. Ministers have rejected calls for a review into the death of Baby P, which pointed to failings in Haringey child protection services, to be made public.
Michael Gove and David Laws, Tory and Lib Dem frontbenchers, have written to Children's Secretary Ed Balls urging the review of the case to be published. Michael Gove and David Laws, Tory and Lib Dem frontbenchers, wrote to Children's Secretary Ed Balls urging the review of the case to be published.
The internal Haringey document, which both men have read, suggested social workers did not follow key procedures.The internal Haringey document, which both men have read, suggested social workers did not follow key procedures.
Ministers have said naming individuals could hamper future investigations. But Mr Balls said confidentiality was vital to the success of such reviews.
Mr Balls told Parliament earlier this month that lawyers had advised him against publishing the report, which contains personal data about individuals involved in the case, as it could jeopardise future inquiries.
'Public interest''Public interest'
The death of the 17-month old boy last year, after months of abuse by his mother and boyfriend, shocked the country and led to heated exchanges between Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Tory leader David Cameron.The death of the 17-month old boy last year, after months of abuse by his mother and boyfriend, shocked the country and led to heated exchanges between Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Tory leader David Cameron.
Baby P was on Haringey council's at-risk child protection register at the time of his death and was seen by social workers, police and medical professionals 60 times in the months before his death.Baby P was on Haringey council's at-risk child protection register at the time of his death and was seen by social workers, police and medical professionals 60 times in the months before his death.
After reading the serious case review, which pointed to a series of operational and management failings in the council's child protection services, Mr Balls ordered an external investigation.After reading the serious case review, which pointed to a series of operational and management failings in the council's child protection services, Mr Balls ordered an external investigation.
We believe that it is clearly in the public interest that this should be published Judge postpones Baby P sentencing MPs letterWe believe that it is clearly in the public interest that this should be published Judge postpones Baby P sentencing MPs letter
Mr Balls agreed to allow a handful of MPs to read the case review on the basis they did not disclose its contents.Mr Balls agreed to allow a handful of MPs to read the case review on the basis they did not disclose its contents.
But he told Parliament that lawyers had advised him against publishing the full report as it could jeopardise future investigations.
In a letter to the children's secretary, Mr Gove, who is the shadow schools minister, Mr Laws, who is the Lib Dem schools spokesman and local Lib Dem MP Lynne Featherstone have now urged him to change his mind on the issue.In a letter to the children's secretary, Mr Gove, who is the shadow schools minister, Mr Laws, who is the Lib Dem schools spokesman and local Lib Dem MP Lynne Featherstone have now urged him to change his mind on the issue.
"There is clearly a strong public interest in the case of Baby P and a determination to ensure that the lessons of the tragic case are learned," the letter said."There is clearly a strong public interest in the case of Baby P and a determination to ensure that the lessons of the tragic case are learned," the letter said.
"Now that we have all read the full report, we believe that it is clearly in the public interest that this should be published, with the exception of a small number of passages which give sensitive personal information.""Now that we have all read the full report, we believe that it is clearly in the public interest that this should be published, with the exception of a small number of passages which give sensitive personal information."
'Public accountability'
In response, Mr Balls said the purpose of such reviews was "to learn lessons from what happened" and confidentiality was "fundamental to their effectiveness".
"This is not about keeping secret information which should rightly be in the public domain. I have been very clear about my commitment to public accountability in the Haringey case."
Mr Balls said he expects to receive the first draft of the report, carried out by Ofsted, the Commission for Healthcare Audit and the Chief Inspector of Constabulary, by 1 December.Mr Balls said he expects to receive the first draft of the report, carried out by Ofsted, the Commission for Healthcare Audit and the Chief Inspector of Constabulary, by 1 December.
That report will be subsequently published.That report will be subsequently published.
The sentencing of Baby P's mother and two men involved in his death has, meanwhile, has been put off to the Spring, it has emerged.The sentencing of Baby P's mother and two men involved in his death has, meanwhile, has been put off to the Spring, it has emerged.
The 27-year-old mother, her 32-year-old boyfriend and lodger Jason Owen, 36, of Bromley, south London, were due to be sentenced on December 15 for causing or allowing his death.The 27-year-old mother, her 32-year-old boyfriend and lodger Jason Owen, 36, of Bromley, south London, were due to be sentenced on December 15 for causing or allowing his death.
But Old Bailey trial Judge Stephen Kramer said the sentencing had been put off for at least three months.But Old Bailey trial Judge Stephen Kramer said the sentencing had been put off for at least three months.
He said: "For legal reasons, the sentencing of the three defendants is postponed until March or April 2009."He said: "For legal reasons, the sentencing of the three defendants is postponed until March or April 2009."