BB FANS

Baby Peter stepfather scalded in prison attack

One of three people jailed over the death of Baby Peter has been scalded in an attack in prison.

Steven Barker, the boyfriend of the abused infant's mother, was reported to have suffering scalding to his face and arm after another prisoner threw a mixture of sugar and boiling water over him.

Barker, who is serving a life sentence at high security Wakefield Prison, West Yorkshire, could be scarred for life, the Sun reported.

Guardian

Shoesmith: 'Baby P Report Was Altered Skynews

Baby P prisoner loses toddler rape appeal bid

By Cathy Gordon, Press Association

One of the three people jailed over the death of Baby Peter lost a bid today to take an appeal over his conviction for the rape of a two-year-old girl to the highest court in the land.

In an announcement lasting just a few minutes, Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge refused an application by Steven Barker for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Barker, 33, lost a Court of Appeal challenge over the conviction in January.

Lord Judge, sitting at the same court in London today, ruled that Barker's case did not raise any "point of law of general public importance".

He added: "That, therefore, is the end of the matter."

Barker was handed a 12-year sentence for causing or allowing the death of 17-month-old Peter Connelly, but he was also jailed for life with a minimum term of 10 years after being convicted of rape at a separate trial.

Barker had claimed he did not have a fair trial and his rape conviction was "unsafe".

But his challenge was rejected by Lord Judge, Lady Justice Hallett and Mrs Justice Macur in January.

They also dismissed his appeal against sentence.

At the time Lord Judge said: "All the reports upon the appellant indicate that he is a danger to young children."

Peter's mother Tracey Connelly, 28, of Penshurst Road, Tottenham, north London, and lodger Jason Owen, 37, of Bromley, south east London, were also jailed over the child's death.

Peter Connelly was found dead in a blood-spattered cot in August 2007.

He had more than 50 injuries, including fractured ribs and a broken back, despite being on the at-risk register and receiving 60 visits from social workers, doctors and police over eight months.

Barker was told by the sentencing judge he played a major role in Peter's death.

Barker and Owen, who are brothers, were convicted by a jury of causing or allowing the death of a child at a trial, while the mother pleaded guilty to the charge.
Independent

Baby Peter sacking 'was lawful', the High Court rules

The former head of children's services at Haringey Council who claims she was unfairly sacked after the death of Baby Peter has lost her case.

Sharon Shoesmith claimed she was the victim of a "flagrant breach of natural justice" when she was fired after a damning report by Ofsted inspectors.

She took action against Ofsted, Haringey Council and Children's Secretary Ed Balls.

But the High Court has ruled that she had been lawfully sacked.

The ruling was given by Mr Justice Foskett QC.

BBC

Baby P workers 'may' return to work

Two social workers who admitted serious failings in protecting Baby Peter from abuse could return to work within months after they have escaped being struck off.

A General Social Care Council (GSCC) disciplinary committee suspended Maria Ward for two months and Gillie Christou for four months for their misconduct in the case.

But the panel ruled they could remain on the social care register, meaning they can resume working with vulnerable children by the autumn.

yourlocalguardian

Whistle-blower in Baby P case still barred from returning to work

A DOCTOR from Muswell Hill who raised concerns about the NHS clinic which failed to save Baby Peter Connelly has spoken out about her treatment.

Hundreds of doctors are among the signatories of a petition handed to the Department of Health last week demanding Dr Kim Holt is reinstated at St Ann’s Hospital in St Ann’s Road, Tottenham. Dr Holt blew the whistle on failings at the clinic, writing a letter to bosses the year before Baby Peter died warning that a child would die unless numerous failings were addressed. Instead of taking action, the number of consultants working there was actually reduced, leading to a “very unsafe” environment and to overworked doctors tragically missing the signs that the 17-month-old was being abused. Dr Kim Holt was placed on “special leave”.

Despite a ruling from NHS London last year that she should be given her job back, 51-year-old Dr Holt is still waiting. She claims she refused a bid to “buy my silence” and also had to endure seeing the hospital readvertise her post.

Woodgreen-Today

Baby P GP ‘guilty of serious breach of professional duty’, GMC rules

Dr Ikwueke failed to consider the possibility of child abuse when baby Peter Connelly visited his north London surgery with unusual bruising in October 2006, the General Medical Council panel found.

He also failed to carry out an adequate examination of Peter eight days before his death and failed to share information with other professionals on a number of occasions, the panel said.

Metro

GP suspended for failing to care for Baby P
By Paula Fentiman, Press Association - Independent

Progress made at Baby P council

The council at the centre of the Baby P scandal still has "areas for development", inspectors have ruled.

A new Ofsted report found three areas that required attention within Haringey's children's services department which was heavily criticised following the death of baby Peter Connelly in 2007.

But the unannounced inspection found progress had been made since the toddler's brutal death which led to the sacking of social services chief Sharon Shoesmith.

HarrowObserver

Sharon Shoesmith to give advice on child safety

A row erupted today over a decision to invite the disgraced former head of social services at the heart of the Baby P scandal to give advice to MPs on child safety.

Sharon Shoesmith, 57, who was sacked as Haringey council's director of children's services, will give evidence next week.

ThisisLondon

Baby P anger ‘absurd’, says Sharon Shoesmith

Sacked social services chief Sharon Shoesmith said yesterday the nationwide outcry over the death of Baby P was ‘absurd’.

She refused to admit to making any personal mistakes, saying instead her staff made ‘errors of judgment’.

Speaking on child safety to the Education Committee, Ms Shoesmith distanced herself from the failings, saying she ‘did not have any personal dealing with the case’.

Metro

Baby P warning doc sues NHS

A SENIOR doctor who claimed Baby P could have been saved if her warnings had been acted on is suing the NHS for up to £100,000, it emerged today.
Dr Kim Holt raised concerns about the child's development at a clinic where the little boy was seen just two days before his death in 2007.

The consultant paediatrician and three colleagues warned in 2006 that the clinic at St Ann's Hospital in Tottenham, north London, was understaffed .

They also warned it had a "chaotic" appointment system which was a risk to patients.

Dr Holt alleges she was forced out of her job and suffered a nervous breakdown.

The clinic was run by Haringey Primary Care Trust but staffed with Great Ormond Street Hospital Trust doctors.

Dr Holt is now seeking up to £100,000 in a personal injury claim against Great Ormond Street.

The SUN

Baby P doctor voluntary removal from register refused

A doctor accused of failing to spot signs that Baby P was being abused has had her application to be removed from the medical register rejected.

Dr Sabah Al-Zayyat, who is facing disciplinary action over her conduct, had applied for "voluntary erasure" from the medical register.

This would have avoided the need for a full misconduct hearing.

The General Medical Council has ruled that the "serious" allegations against her should be heard in public.

The GMC could ban her from UK working.

BBC