Social workers 'right to question parents'

The row over the MMR "witch-hunt" deepened today as social workers defended their right to interview the mothers of autistic children.

They insisted some parents could be harming their children to draw attention to themselves, and admitted subjecting one mother to an eight-week investigation before accepting she had done nothing wrong.

It came after the Evening Standard revealed up to 20 parents of autistic children faced accusations that they were suffering from Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy.

Mary Robinson, 41, the mother of five autistic children, had weekly visits from social workers who suspected she was making her children ill to draw attention to herself.

Today the man who sanctioned the investigation defended the decision - claiming his team had a duty to act in such cases.

Nigel Druce, former head of social services at Cornwall county council, said: "Social services have to do these investigations and they are done sensitively. Naturally, the process can be very stressful for parents and we are always very sorry about that, but I don't know a better way."

But autism campaigners believe parentswho blame the MMR vaccine for their children's autism are being unfairly targeted. They say many are afraid to voice their views about the jab for fear of having children removed by social workers on the basis of unfounded allegations.

Thousands of parents believe the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine triggered autism and bowel disease in their children. Health chiefs have dismissed the possibility that the vaccine is unsafe and this week renewed their attack on research by scientist Dr Andrew Wakefield, which suggested a link.

Yesterday the Standard revealed evidence of a broader campaign to end the debate, with unfounded suggestions that some parents of autistic children may be suffering from Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy.

Several parents connected with a group legal action against MMR manufacturers are known to have been investigated for the condition - first identified by paediatrician Professor Sir Roy Meadow.

Today Mr Druce, who has an OBE for services to social care, said staff were right to act on suspicions. It could be difficult to tell whether an investigation was necessary, he said, because warning signs of Munchausen's were different in each case.

He added: "It is not always that there is physical damage to the child by the parent, but their behaviour towards the child can be damaging. It is more subtle. They are far too protective of the child. They seek too much help and over-react when the child is ill."

Mr Druce said that in Mrs Robinson's case it seemed the system had reached the "right conclusion" as her children were not removed. He insisted his staff had no policy of linking Munchausen's with autism.

Psychologist Lisa Blakemore-Brown, of Brunel University, who specialises in autism, knows of at least 20 parents of autistic children who have faced such allegations.

The cases highlight the scepticism of national and local government chiefs towards those who believe autism could be triggered by MMR.

Bill Welsh, of the campaign group Action Against Autism, said: "It is incredible what lengths some people will go to discredit parents. It is devastating for those who have the finger pointed at them in this way."