SOCIAL SERVICES - LIB DEMS DEMAND PUBLICATION OF INSPECTORS' REPORT

20.10.03

Lib Dem councillors are demanding that they receive copies of a report by the Social Services Inspectorate into Haringey's Social Services, conducted in view of the Climbie report.

Party spokesman Ron Aitken has accused the Council of withholding the report, in an attempt to 'spin' what may be further evidence of a lack of improvement in certain aspects of Haringey's social Services following the tragic death of Victoria Climbie.

The SSI has inspected all the social services Departments involved in the case, and the report on Brent Council was available last week. Despite being the local authority most involved with the tragedy however, Haringey's review remains under wraps. Councillor Aitken is demanding to know which Labour councillors have received copies of the report, and why it has not yet been made available to all councillors. He has threatened to take the matter up with the borough solicitor if Haringey do not release copies immediately.

Cllr Ron Aitken comments:

"Labour lead members are sitting on this report, and must not be allowed to conduct an exercise in spin over its findings, just as they did when the Climbie report was published. This is unacceptable. If the Brent report is available, then the report on Haringey should also have been released. Haringey must not be allowed to get away with manipulating vital information about the performance of social services."

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