So today Baby P's mother, her boyfriend and their lodger, were finally sentenced for the various parts they played in the events leading to his death. They have all been given indeterminate sentences which may be reviewed by the parole board after a certain number of years have been served. However long they serve though, we can be sure that it will not be enough. One of the most infuriating aspects of this case is that they apparently can't be named for' legal reasons.' We would very much like to know what those reasons are. Why should the perpetrators of such a sickening crime apparently enjoy the benefit of anonymity? Our view is that for public interest reasons as well as ensuring that justice is not only done but seen to be done, they should be named and shamed. We can grant that baby P's mother has expressed remorse for what happened and carries with her a burden of guilt. So she should. However the fact remains that could have taken steps to remove her son from harm but failed to do so.
Typical of what so often happens in these cases - with sickening regularity we might add - Haringey Social Services have been blamed for failing to prevent Baby P's death. We do not doubt that they could, and probably should, have done much more than they did. However social workers have a difficult task to perform, one not made easy by the various balancing acts they have to perform and, let it be said, heavy caseloads more often than not. No, the blame for Baby P's death lies firmly with his mother, her boyfriend and their lodger - the very adults which the small boy in question should have been able to trust to keep him safe from harm, not cause his death. This is all the more reason why they should all be named and shamed.
Typical of what so often happens in these cases - with sickening regularity we might add - Haringey Social Services have been blamed for failing to prevent Baby P's death. We do not doubt that they could, and probably should, have done much more than they did. However social workers have a difficult task to perform, one not made easy by the various balancing acts they have to perform and, let it be said, heavy caseloads more often than not. No, the blame for Baby P's death lies firmly with his mother, her boyfriend and their lodger - the very adults which the small boy in question should have been able to trust to keep him safe from harm, not cause his death. This is all the more reason why they should all be named and shamed.