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Taking the blame: the two Haringey councillors who have quit over toddler’s death
01.12.08
Two top councillors at Haringey fell on their swords today after an official report criticised their personal failings.
Council leader George Meehan and the cabinet member for children and young people Liz Santry had faced repeated calls for their resignation.
Mr Meehan issued a public apology only on 19 November and last week the pair dodged a vote of no confidence.
Opposition councillors tabled the motion at a full meeting but the majority Labour group passed an amendment to prevent it taking place. Last month Mr Meehan said: “I want to make this formal apology on behalf of Haringey council. We are very sorry for the events that led to the death of Baby P; sorry for the suffering he endured; sorry for the failure of all the child protection agencies involved to protect him, to save his life. Haringey council's apology is heartfelt and unreserved.”
Mr Meehan came under extra pressure to resign as he was also leader at the time of Victoria Climbié's death. The pair will remain councillors unless they stand down or are forced out.
... and officials still in line of fire
Maria Ward: Social worker, 39. Appointed Baby P's social worker from February last year — six months before he died.
Ms Ward saw the child four days before his death and failed to notice wounds and bruises. She told the court he “appeared well”. She made at least nine visits to the family's filthy, “urine smelling” house before Baby P's death.
Gillie Christou: Team manager in Haringey council's children's services. Approved decision to return Baby P to his mother after her second arrest last year.
Mrs Christou, 50, was
Ms Ward's supervisor and responsible for those on Haringey's child protection register. She based her decision to return Baby P on a pledge that a friend of the mother would supervise them.
Sylvia Henry: Social worker. Heavily criticised by the Climbié inquiry eight years ago, she played a role in decision to return Baby P to mother after the first hospital visit in December, 2006. She believed mother's explanations of baby's injuries. Ms Henry is not believed to be facing any form of disciplinary action.
