Council accused over Climbie inquiry

The chairman of the Victoria Climbie inquiry today accused one of the councils involved of trying to influence the proceedings by writing to him asking to tone down the criticism they had received.

Lord Laming said that Haringey Council had made a "covert attempt to influence" the inquiry by sending him a personal letter to "redress the balance" in the authority's favour.

He briefly adjourned the inquiry today to warn representatives of the councils, police and other agencies involved that such approaches were "totally out of order".

He said: "I will not tolerate any covert attempt to influence the way in which the inquiry is conducted."

Haringey is one of four councils, along with two police child-protection teams and two hospitals, facing severe criticism over their failure to spot repeated warnings that eight-year-old Victoria was being abused. Victoria's great-aunt, Marie Therese Kouao, and her lover Carl Manning were jailed for life last year for her murder.

In the letter to Lord Laming last Friday, Haringey's solicitor complained that the conduct of its social workers was being judged more harshly than that of health service staff. Lord Laming said: "Potential criticisms are a matter entirely for this inquiry", and that he "rejected completely" any suggestion that different standards were being applied.

The hearing continues.