Commenting on the report in the Evening Standard that Haringey had employed a bus driver with convictions for sex offences against children, Cllr Ron Aitken, Lib Dem Social Services Spokesperson, said:

“The employment of Dennis Bell, a known and persistent threat to children, clearly shows that Haringey Council has failed to learn the lessons of the Victoria Climbie case.

“Yet again, assurances that Haringey Council’s child protection procedures were being implemented properly have shown to be without foundation, with potentially terrible consequences.

“It is time that senior staff took responsibly for this alarming discovery. Those responsible should resign.”