Regarding the belated apology by Haringey’s Labour Cabinet Member Liz Santry for the tragic death of Baby P, local Liberal Democrats have revealed an email sent to councillors after his death last August in which Councillor Liz Santry criticised the media for linking the tragedy to the death of Victoria Climbie.

She wrote:

“You will have read the very sad news of a 17 month old child from Tottenham who died on 3 August from serious injuries.

“The press has covered the case this weekend and of course has chosen to link it with events from the past. As you are all aware much has changed since these events.”

Councillor Santry’s response, the first time any notification was made even to local councillors, came ten days after the death of Baby P, after the then Liberal Democrat Leader, who first read about the case in the national newspapers, demanded a response from Haringey Council about the death of Baby P.

Liberal Democrat Council Group Leader Robert Gorrie comments:

“When you consider that this councillor took 48 hours to apologise, and now we read what the leading councillors really thought at the time, you have to question whether they really are willing to learn the lessons.

“This shows more than ever that we need a complete clear out of the Labour councillors in charge. In this terrible situation, we must have confidence in the people at the top. That is why the Cabinet member and the Leader of the Council must resign.”

Further comment on the Baby P case is on Lynne Featherstone’s blog.