Baby P father's statement

The father of a toddler who died after months of abuse despite the intervention of social workers has spoken of his anguish. Baby P's natural father spoke of his "very traumatic" experiences after the death of his son, adding: "I loved him deeply." Pictures of the blonde, blue-eyed 17-month-old boy have been released for the first time after the judge in his murder trial clarified an earlier court order. The child's mother, 27, her boyfriend, 32, and their lodger, Jason Owen, 36, were convicted at the Old Bailey on Tuesday of causing or allowing his death, but cleared of murder. They will be sentenced on December 15. The victim's father said: "P was a bouncing 17-month-old boy. I loved him deeply. I remember how he used to run up to me or when he was in his pram he would bounce up and down until I took him out, giving me hugs and kisses. "Those who systematically tortured P and killed him kept it a secret. Not just from me but from all the people who visited the house up until P's death. Even after he died, they lied to cover up their abuse." Children's Secretary Ed Balls has ordered an urgent inquiry into north London coucil Haringey's child welfare services following the trial. It emerged social worker Nevres Kemal warned ministers of failings in Haringey's child protection procedures in February last year - six months before Baby P died in August. Social workers failed to raise the alarm despite 60 visits to the little boy from the authorities during eight months in which he suffered more than 50 injuries at the hands of the three defendants. Ms Kemal, through her lawyer Lawrence Davies, wrote to then Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt to raise the alarm about alleged failings at the council but officials responded that it was a matter for the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). She was subsequently was dismissed and received an injunction against speaking publicly about her claims. The inspectorate has since disclosed that it looked into claims by Ms Kemal and were satisfied her claims were dealt with properly. Haringey has since said it is "truly sorry" about the fate of Baby P and welcomed a Government-ordered inquiry into its child welfare services. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has pledged that he will do "everything in my power" to prevent a repeat of the tragedy. Speaking on a trip to New York, Mr Brown said: "I am determined to do everything in my power to make sure that this does not happen again. Every family needs to know that their children are safe at night."

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ITN | November 14, 2008