Baby P Councillors To Keep Jobs

Two senior councillors involved in the Baby P case, will be keeping their jobs, despite calls for them to be sacked. The Liberal Democrat opposition on Labour-run Haringey Council tabled a motion of no confidence against Councillor Liz Santry – the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People – and Council Leader George Meehan.

Seventeen-month-old Baby P died in a blood-splattered cot at his home in Haringey in August, after suffering more than 50 injuries, despite being visited by social services 60 times in over eight months.

The 17-month-old's mother, her 32-year-old boyfriend and another man, Jason Owen, 36, were convicted at the Old Bailey of causing or allowing his death.

At the first full council meeting since the trial, the motion – which was tabled by Councillor Robert Gorrie – was discussed during a three-hour debate at a meeting of the full council on Monday.

However, the majority Labour group passed an amendment removing the no-confidence element, and inserted a commitment to act on recommendations of a Government review on children's services in the borough.

Previously, the council apologised for not doing more to protect the baby.

Mayor of Haringey Alan Dobbie opened the meeting by offering apologies for the events leading up to the child's tragic death. A minute's silence followed.

Throughout the debate members of the public heckled Ms Santry and other Labour members.

Matt Cooke, Chairman of Haringey Labour Group, said the calls for Ms Santry and Mr Meehan to resign were premature.

He said: "The council has said very, very clearly we will take whatever action is necessary, and Councillor Santry said she would rule nothing in and nothing out."

Meanwhile, after the meeting, Lib Dem Group Leader Mr Gorrie said: "People right across the country will share our dismay and disgust that the people running Haringey Council will not take responsibility for this tragedy.

"How can we rebuild Haringey's shattered reputation if the same people remain in charge?"

(JM)