Climbie police face charges

six Metropolitan Police officers are facing misconduct charges following an inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbié.

The eight-year-old's murder was one of the most shocking examples of child abuse in Britain.

Today, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) announced the decision after investigating officers from Brent and Haringey police child protection teams who handled reports of Victoria being abused.

Victoria died in February 2000 after 10 months of abuse at the hands of her great-aunt Marie-Therese Kouao and Kouao's boyfriend Carl Manning.

At the time of her death, she had 128 injuries on her body, including cigarette burns, scars from being beaten with a bicycle chain and marks on her wrists and ankles where she had been tied up.

The IPCC has ordered six officers - a detective chief inspector, a detective inspector, three police sergeants and a police constable - to face an internal tribunal-for allegedly failing to perform-their duties properly. Laurence Lustgarten, IPCC commissioner for north-west London, said: "I understand that this announcement may awaken painful memories for the family but I hope this is another step forward in their search for justice."

Raju Bhatt, solicitor for Victoria's parents Francis and Berthe, said that they "have never been interested in scapegoating" and that the responsibility for their daughter's death lies "with the senior management of the various authorities who failed her".

But, Mr Bhatt added, they "appreciate that individuals within these various authorities nevertheless have to be brought to account for their actions".

If found guilty, the six officers could face anything from a caution to being asked to resign or dismissal. In addition, a detective inspector and chief superintendent-are to receive "words of advice" for similar failures.

The Metropolitan Pol ice Authority already has the final report because it is responsible for decisions regarding two senior officers, a temporary commander and a commander.

Today's decision comes after Lord Laming's inquiry into the murder, which condemned police, doctors, social workers, senior managers and council officials for failing to follow up signs that Victoria was being abused.

In his report, Lord Laming condemned two officers, Haringey Pc Karen Jones and Brent Pc Rachel Dewar, as "incompetent" but said a lack of supervision by their managers was equally to blame.

Kouao and Manning were convicted of Victoria's murder in January 2001 and are serving life.

The most senior policeman implicated, Detective Chief Inspector Philip Wheeler, was stripped of his role at Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and returned to Scotland Yard.