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October 2001 Archived News
Monday 15 October 2001
SITTING TIMES ALTERED FOR 19 OCTOBER AND 16 NOVEMBER
IT HAS been announced that the sitting times for the Victoria Climbié
Inquiry on Friday 16 October and Friday 16 November are to be altered.
Instead of being held between 9.30am-3pm, the usual times for Fridays,
on these days the sittings will start at 9am and finish at 1pm.
As with other days, during the hearings, members of the public are
welcome to attend.
Further information about the Inquiry can be found on the website
at 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
Friday 12 October 2001
WITNESSES TO BE CALLED IN WEEK BEGINNING 15 OCTOBER
FOUR key figures from a local authority that - according to the
Victoria Climbié Inquiry leading counsel - missed a key chance
to save the life of the murdered eight-year-old will give evidence
next week (October 15-19).
The high-ranking people from Brent council will be called to deal
with the question whether the authority missed an opportunity to
help Victoria in the summer of 1999, when its one-stop shop received
an anonymous call saying the girl was in danger.
Mr Garnham said in his opening statement that a visit was made
to Victoria's address by Brent social workers but that the trip
was not made until three weeks after the telephoned warning. Also,
according to Mr Garnham, when no-one was found at the address nothing
else was done to trace the girl.
Counsel to the Inquiry has also told the investigation that between
1997-99, the period leading to Victoria's death, £25m of Government
money earmarked for children's services was spent in other areas
within the borough.
The four senior people to appear - all of whom will take the stand
on Thursday - are Ann John, Leader of Brent council; Mary Cribbin,
Lead Member for Social Services; Gareth Daniel, Chief Executive
and Mike Boyle, former Director of Social Services.
The appearance at the Inquiry of the leading Brent figures follows
a number of more junior officials - one of whom, Edward Armstrong,
a suspended social services manager, made a string of serious allegations.
Among other things, Mr Armstrong alleged the council placed unaccompanied
children as young as 13 in bed and breakfast accommodation and that
a young girl was twice turned away by the council and one occasion
told to go and live with her sister.
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
Friday 5 October 2001
WITNESSES TO BE CALLED IN WEEK BEGINNING 8 OCTOBER
THE doctor who - according to the Victoria Climbié Inquiry leading
counsel - concluded that the murdered eight-year-old had not been
physically abused, by the time she examined her, will give evidence
next week (October 8-12).
Consultant paediatrician Dr Ruby Schwartz saw Victoria at Central
Middlesex hospital in July 1999. And, according to Neil Garnham
QC's opening statement made on Wednesday 26 September, she decided
that the girl was showing no signs of child abuse and instead had
scabies.
Mr Garnham told the Inquiry that this diagnosis resulted in police
protection being withdrawn and, in turn, led to Victoria being discharged
from the hospital - without staff knowing whether she was attending
school or had a GP. According to Counsel to the Inquiry, the medical
investigation was incomplete and no follow-up measures were implemented.
Victoria's stay at the hospital was, said Mr Garnham, one of 12
missed opportunities to save her life. Dr Schwartz will take the
stand on Friday.
Another person to appear on Friday is social worker Michelle Hines
who, along with PC Rachel Dewar, implemented the request to withdraw
protection from Victoria.
Appearing on Monday will be two Christian preachers, Pastor Pat
Mensah and Pastor Pascal Orome. While Pastor Mensah gave Kouao around
£200 to help make ends meet, Pastor Orome, according to Mr Garnham's
opening statement, believed Victoria was possessed and in need of
prayer rather than medical treatment.
Details of the other witnesses to appear next week are on the Inquiry
website at 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
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