Met Police aims to block Baby Peter inquest

The Metropolitan Police is looking to block an inquest into the death of Peter Connelly.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has confirmed that it has made a submission to North London Coroner’s Court, questioning whether there was “sufficient cause” to carry out an inquest.

The inquest was formerly opened and adjourned in 2007 when the toddler’s body was discovered at his home and has not yet been completed.

The MPS spokesman said: “The death of Baby Peter has been subject to the most extensive and independent public investigation, producing detailed critical reports and recommendations for reform. Those responsible for his death have been identified and made the subject of either criminal or professional disciplinary procedures.”

He said that child protection procedures were the responsibility of other bodies such as the office of the government-appointed chief adviser on the safety of children.

“We believe those agencies, rather than an inquest into a specific death, are the method by which child protection procedures should continue to be addressed and improved,” he added.

Meanwhile, Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) has admitted failings in the handling of an internal review into its involvement in Peter Connelly’s case.

The review was headed by Dr Sukanta Bannerjee, the line manager of Dr Sabah Al-Zayyat, the locum doctor at St Ann’s Clinic in Tottenham who examined the toddler.

In a statement, GOSH said: “It was not best practice for Dr Bannerjee to write the health IMR (independent medical review) because she line-managed one of the staff involved.”

Consultant paediatrician Sabah Al-Zayyat is the subject of a General Medical Council (GMC) case and is accused of also failing to spot signs of abuse. She has not been able to attend a GMC hearing due to mental health problems.