How shamed Climbie experts kept their jobs

Senior figures criticised in the official report into the death of Victoria Climbie have kept their jobs or moved on to better positions, an Evening Standard investigation has revealed.

More than four years after the death of the tragic eight-year-old, many of the police officers, social workers, council chiefs and health professionals criticised by Lord Laming's public inquiry are still in positions of responsibility for child protection in London. They include:

As revealed in the Evening Standard yesterday, Dr Ruby Schwartz, who diagnosed Victoria as having scabies when she arrived at hospital with signs of abuse, has had charges of serious professional misconduct against her dropped by the GMC.

Tim Loughton, shadow minister for children and shadow health minister, said: "Laming was categorical about the buck stopping with senior personnel and that was the basis of reform in the Children's Bill.

"It's outrageous that those people who were in positions of responsibility throughout the Climbie case are not only getting off scot-free but some have also been promoted."

The Climbie case shocked Britain when details emerged of how the girl from the Ivory Coast died after months of torture at the hands of her aunt and the aunt's boyfriend in February 2000. Lord Laming's report criticised a catalogue of "lamentable" failures by social workers, police and NHS staff.

But the NSPCC has warned that procedures surrounding abuse cases remain chaotic.

Concern for vulnerable children has been reawakened this week after the junior social worker responsible for Victoria's case revealed she is to fight for reinstatement. Lisa Arthurworrey says she was made a scapegoat when Haringey council sacked her for gross misconduct.

There are also new fears about Haringey social services after the Standard's revelations that 18 convicted criminals have been employed in front-line roles in the past two years. Latest details of the way senior figures have prospered since their involvement in the Climbie case come despite calls from her family for those at the top to be disciplined.

Mary Richardson, former director of Haringey council's social services, left two months after Victoria's death for a £100,000-a-year job in the same role at neighbouring Hackney council. Her deputy at the time, Carol Wilson, is now director of health and social care at Waltham Forest. Chief executive Gurbux Singh went on to the highprofile post of chief executive of the Commission for Racial Equality although he has since resigned. Brent council chief executive Gareth Daniel, who was lambasted for failing to address a shortage of staff, remains in his position .