Ananova:

A lead member for housing and social security at Haringey Council says the authority has accepted the blame for the major part it played in the tragedy of Anna Climbie.

Marie Therese Kouao, 44, and Carl Manning, 28, of Tottenham, north London, have been found guilty at the Old Bailey of the murder of the eight-year-old girl, who died while in their care.

An inquiry has been set up and it will be examining whether social workers' assumptions about black families had led to their inaction.

Haringey social worker Lisa Arthurworrey has been suspended and child protection officer Pc Karen Jones is one of eight police officers who are subject to the second inquiry by the Police Complaints Authority.

Taki Suleiman said: "Haringey has not come out well from this. We take full responsibility and we would welcome an independent inquiry or a ministerial inquiry. "

Procedures had been changed to tighten supervision and an independent reviewer is examining the way social workers carried out their jobs, he said.

"We are very much aware that this is a dreadful case and we need to learn the lessons," he continued.

"I feel very strongly that there may have been some cultural value judgments that were made which need to be unpacked and examined in greater detail through an inquiry."

Mr Suleiman said it is difficult to explain ahead on an inquiry.

But he said: "The value judgment that may have been made was around black families. African families have a lot of respect for their elders. Therefore, the fear displayed by Anna, as spotted by numerous professionals, was as a result of the respect needed in African families."

Story filed: 14:39 Friday 12th January 2001

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