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September 2001 Archived News
Friday 28 September 2001
WITNESSES TO BE CALLED IN WEEK BEGINNING 1 OCTOBER
THE woman who - according to the Victoria Climbié Inquiry leading
counsel - anonymously telephoned Brent council to warn that the
eight-year-old girl was in danger will give evidence to the investigation
next week (October 1-5).
According to the opening statement, made by Neil Garnham QC on Wednesday
26 September, Esther Ackah says she called the authority's one-stop
shop in June 1999 and told a customer services officer that she
feared for Victoria's life.
In addition, Mr Garnham told the Inquiry that Mrs Ackah maintains
she notified the council that Victoria had cuts and bruises on her
face. Mrs Ackah - a relative of Marie-Therese Kouao, one of Victoria's
eventual murderers - will take the stand on Monday.
Also being called on Monday is Dr Nathaniel Carey, who conducted
the post mortem on Victoria's body on 26 February 2000. According
to Counsel to the Inquiry, Dr Carey concluded that Victoria had
died of hypothermia, developed in circumstances of neglect and ill
treatment.
Another witness to take the stand will be Priscilla Cameron, who
- Mr Garnham said - acted as Victoria's childminder for four to
five weeks in summer 1999.
According to the opening statement, having seen the injuries Victoria
had sustained, Mrs Cameron's daughter, Avril, took her to Central
Middlesex hospital, where she was admitted. At this stage, stated
Mr Garnham, she was put in police protection, but was soon released
back into the hands of Kouao.
Both Priscilla and Avril Cameron will appear on Friday. 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
Thursday 27 September 2001
VICTORIA CLIMBIÉ PARENTS TO GIVE EVIDENCE AT START OF PUBLIC
HEARINGS
THE parents of Victoria Climbié are to give evidence tomorrow
(Friday 28 September) at the Inquiry into the eight-year-old's death.
Berthe and Francis Climbié will be the first witnesses to
take the stand at the investigation into one of the worst cases
of child abuse and murder Britain has ever seen.
Victoria's parents have come to London from their home in the Ivory
Coast to give evidence about the circumstances in which they handed
their daughter into the care of her great-aunt Marie-Therese Kouao
- in order that she receive an education and better opportunities
in Europe.
Victoria was murdered by Kouao and her boyfriend Carl Manning just
16 months later after a sustained campaign of the most appalling
abuse. When she died in February 2000 there were 128 separate injuries
to her body.
Lord Laming said "We attach great importance both to the contribution
Mr and Mrs Climbié can make to the Inquiry and to their need
to find out exactly what happened to their daughter during her time
in this country."
This first phase of the Inquiry, which is expected to last until
late-December, will look at the circumstances leading to Victoria's
tragic death and consider the actions of the social workers, health
staff and police who came into contact with the girl before her
death. Phase Two will look at the way the child protection system
is currently organised to see how best it can prevent such a tragedy
being repeated.
The Climbiés travelled to Britain with two of their children
and will be staying in London throughout Phase One of the Inquiry
in modest rented accommodation.
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
Wednesday 26 September 2001
VICTORIA CLIMBIÉ INQUIRY TO HEAR FROM KEY PARTIES
THE Victoria Climbié Inquiry will tomorrow (Thursday 27 September)
hear statements from the main parties involved in the tragic case
of the abused and murdered eight-year-old.
The 13 parties, which include the social services departments and
hospitals that came into contact with Victoria while she was the
victim of a sustained campaign of torture, will present their cases
to the Inquiry in half hour statements made by their lawyers.
The lawyer representing the parents of Victoria, Francis and Berthe
Climbié, will also be among those addressing the investigation,
chaired by Lord Laming.
Thirteen organisations and individuals have been recognised by
the Inquiry as 'Interested Parties', a status acknowledging their
particular contribution in the investigation. Most of the parties,
other than the Climbiés, played a direct and substantial
role in the services provided to Victoria and her carers, and eventual
murderers, her great-aunt Marie-Therese Kouao and her boyfriend
Carl Manning.
An inquiry spokesperson said: "The purpose of this day is
to allow the key parties to put to the Inquiry important points
they think should be borne in mind from the outset. The Inquiry
will be a thorough and robust examination of what happened to Victoria,
so it's vital that all the main parties involved in the case are
able to put forward their arguments as soon as possible."
Victoria was brought to England from the Ivory Coast, via France,
by Kouao in April 1999. She was murdered 10 months later at the
hands of Kouao and Manning, having suffered appalling levels of
abuse. When she died she had 128 separate injuries to her body.
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
Tuesday 25 September 2001
VICTORIA CLIMBIÉ INQUIRY TO BEGIN HEARING EVIDENCE
THE hearings for the independent Inquiry into the tragic death of
eight-year-old Victoria Climbié start tomorrow (Wednesday 26 September).
The Inquiry's proceedings, chaired by Lord Laming, will begin
with an opening statement by Counsel to the Inquiry, Mr Neil Garnham
QC, which will highlight the potential failings, in the case, of
social workers, health workers and police.
Among those watching on while Mr Garnham gives his speech will
be Victoria's parents, Berthe and Francis Climbié.
Victoria's parents will also be the first two people to give evidence
in person and will take the witness stand on Friday 28 September.
On Thursday, lawyers for the main parties involved in the case
- which include Haringey council and the Metropolitan police - will
make their opening speeches.
The first phase of the Inquiry which will examine why Victoria
was allowed to die - even though she was known to several state
agencies - is expected to last until mid-December.
In all, 232 witnesses have been required to give evidence, including
junior and senior staff from government organisations, relatives
and friends of the Climbié family. Of these, 144 will take the witness
stand.
An Inquiry spokesperson said: "Lord Laming made it clear from the
outset that this Inquiry would be extremely thorough. The fact he
will be taking evidence from so many people, including some very
prominent officials and elected members, bears this out."
Victoria was brought to England from the Ivory Coast, via France,
by her great aunt Marie-Therese Kouao in April 1999. She was murdered
10 months later at the hands of Kouao and her boyfriend Carl Manning,
having suffered months of the most appalling abuse.
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 21 September 2001
PEOPLE ATTENDING INQUIRY ADVISED TO COME EARLY
PEOPLE attending the Victoria Climbié Inquiry are being advised
to arrive early in case they are delayed in the reception area because
of security measures in force at all Government buildings.
The measures mean that, at the reception desk, visitors' hand luggage
will be searched, as will briefcases and packages where appropriate.
It is impossible to tell, at this stage, how serious the delays
will be, but early arrival is the only way to ensure entry to the
hearing room by official start times.
Due to health and safety considerations, the public gallery in
the hearing room has a limited capacity. Once this figure has been
reached security staff in the reception area will not allow anyone
else into the inquiry.
The public hearings will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
from 10am until 4.30pm, with a break between 1pm and 2pm; and on
Fridays from 9.30am until 3.30pm, with a break between 1pm and 1.30pm.
During the first week of the hearings, proceedings will take place
on Wednesday-Thursday, 26-27 September, from 10am until 4.30pm,
with a break between 1pm and 2pm; and on Friday 28 September from
9.30am until 3.30pm, with a break between 1pm and 1.30pm.
The Inquiry is being held on the sixth floor, Hannibal House,
Elephant and Castle, London, SE1 6TQ.
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 13 September 2001
REVAMPED VICTORIA CLIMBIÉ INQUIRY WEBSITE GOES LIVE
THE revamped website of the public inquiry into the tragic death
of eight-year-old Victoria Climbié, is to go live on Tuesday 18
September.
The website will play a vital role in communicating the work of
the Inquiry, chaired by Lord Laming, which will look into the roles
played by social services, police, housing staff and the health
service in Victoria's tragic case.
During the hearings, which start on Wednesday 26 September, the
site will feature daily transcripts and the witness statements of
those people who have finished giving their evidence.
A schedule of witnesses called to give evidence at the Inquiry will
be available on the site, as well as the answers to frequently asked
questions. Witnesses and interested parties in the case will also
benefit from procedural notes, which will keep them informed of
the mechanics of the Inquiry.
The final report, which will recommend how best the child protection
system can work, will be posted on the site when it is published
by the Secretary of State for Health and Home Secretary.
An Inquiry spokesperson said: "Lord Laming is determined the
Inquiry works in a thoroughly open manner and it is intended that
the revamped site will help ensure our work is as transparent as
possible. We hope it will prove invaluable for all those who want
to follow the investigation from the general public, to Haringey
residents and the people who work for the agencies that were involved
in the case."
The revamped website will remain at same address as the existing
site: www.victoria-climbie-inquiry.org.uk
Victoria was brought to England from the Ivory Coast, via France,
by her great aunt Marie-Therese Kouao in April 1999. She was murdered
10 months later at the hands of Kouao and her boyfriend Carl Manning,
having suffered appalling levels of abuse.
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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