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May 2001 Archived News
Thursday 31 May 2001
VICTORIA (ANNA) CLIMBIÉ INQUIRY IS LAUNCHED
THE public inquiry into the tragic death of eight-year-old Victoria
(also known as Anna) Climbié, opens today.
The inquiry, chaired by Lord Laming, will investigate the circumstances
leading to the tragedy and recommend action to prevent such an episode
happening again.
The investigation, which was commissioned by Health Minister Alan
Milburn and Home Secretary Jack Straw, is unique as it is being
set up under three pieces of legislation, and will look at the roles
played by social services, police and the health service.
As chairman of the inquiry, Lord Laming will introduce his team
of assessors drawn from the various specialist areas involved in
the case, those being the police, social care, the health service
and paediatrics. He will outline the aims and objectives of the
inquiry as well as explaining the format for the forthcoming hearings.
"Above all, it will be independent, open, rigorous and fair,"
says Lord Laming, of the inquiry, "I will be asking people
what happened and why and we will want to see what action can be
taken to ensure such a terrible occurrence doesn't happen again."
The tragedy was one of the worst cases of child abuse to come to
light in this country in recent years. Victoria died of multiple
organ failure, hypothermia and malnutrition and suffered 128 separate
injuries.
Lord Laming believes that the public nature of the inquiry will
ensure that matters are dealt with in an open and honest manner.
"This will serve the interests of vulnerable children best
and will ensure the general public can have confidence that tragedies
of this kind will be avoided."
A written transcript of Lord Laming's address to the meeting will
be available from midday today on the inquiry website www.victoria-Climbie-inquiry.org.uk
Contacts:
Paul Rees, Communications Manager
Tel: 020 7972 1999
Fax: 020 7972 1981
Mobile: 07884 473 355
paul.rees@victoriaclimbie.org
or
Lara Williams, Press Officer
Tel: 020 7972 2018
Fax: 020 7972 1981
Mobile: 07884 473 468
lara.williams@victoriaclimbie.org
Thursday 10 May 2001
PRELIMINARY MEETING - THURSDAY 31 MAY 10.30am
LORD Laming will hold a preliminary meeting on the sixth floor
of Hannibal House, Elephant and Castle, London, SE1 6TQ, at which
he will outline the timetable and procedures of the public hearings
on Thursday 31 May. The meeting is expected to last for up to three
hours. A written transcript of Lord Laming's address to the meeting
will be available from midday on the inquiry website.
Contacts:
Paul Rees, Communications Manager
Tel: 020 7972 1999
Fax: 020 7972 1981
Mobile: 07884 473 355
paul.rees@victoriaclimbie.org
or
Lara Williams, Press Officer
Tel: 020 7972 2018
Fax: 020 7972 1981
Mobile: 07884 473 468
lara.williams@victoriaclimbie.org
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