Ananova :

The chairman of a public inquiry into the death of Anna Climbie has pledged that "something good" will come out of her appalling murder.

Lord Laming said he is determined to discover how the eight-year-old died from appalling neglect, despite the involvement of social services, police and the NHS.

Marie Therese Kouao, Anna's aunt, and Carl Manning, Kouao's boyfriend, were jailed for life in January for the murder of Anna.

She died at her home in Tottenham, north London, in February 2000.

The little girl, who had been sent to live with Kouao from her Ivory Coast home, had 128 separate injuries on her body and died from multiple organ failure, malnutrition and neglect.

She had been repeatedly beaten and forced to sleep, bound hand and foot, in a binliner in an unheated bathroom.

Opening the inquiry, Lord Laming said: "I have a very strong commitment to ensure that something good comes out of the tragedy of Victoria's life and death and to ensure that tragedies of this kind will be prevented."

The inquiry intends to call the little girl by the name given to her by her parents - Victoria - rather than Anna, used by Kouao and Manning.

In an unusual step, the two killers may also give evidence at the inquiry, when the first phase of witness evidence begins on September 26.

Lord Laming said: "We have written to them requiring a witness statement.

"I am glad to say we have already received a very positive response from Manning and we expect to receive the same from Kouao."

The pair may be transported to the inquiry or could give evidence via video link from their prisons.

Lord Laming said it would be up to lawyers in the inquiry to decide and said no decision had yet been reached.

Story filed: 11:21 Thursday 31st May 2001

• Child killers will be allowed to give evidence to inquiry 18:33 Thursday 10th May 2001
• Anna Climbie public inquiry aims unveiled 11:27 Friday 20th April 2001
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