Haringey pays out after libelling social worker in Baby P case

A social worker at the London Borough of Haringey has received an apology and compensation from the council after suing her employer for libel.

The case involved Haringey’s role in the Peter Connolly case. When Baby P was admitted to the Whittington Hospital in December 2006 with suspicious injuries, his case was referred to the council’s social services department.

It was dealt with by, amongst others, Henry, who wanted him to be put in professional care. She found a foster place for him, making it clear that she did not agree with an alternative proposal that he be placed with a family friend. However, her suggested course of action was not followed.

In January 2007, Peter’s position was reviewed. Henry remained concerned he would be at risk if he returned to his mother’s care. She tried to obtain the necessary authorisation for an application for a care order. However, despite her best efforts, this was unsuccessful and Peter returned to his family.

Henry’s involvement with the case then ceased after it was transferred to Haringey’s Long Term Team of social workers.

After Peter’s death on 3 August 2007, Henry assisted the police in their investigation and gave a witness statement in support of the prosecution.

Journalists for the BBC’s Panorama programme then obtained a copy of her statement, parts of which were quoted and summarised in its What happened to Baby P? broadcast. The gist of Henry’s version of events was also set out on the BBC’s website.

Both the programme and the website reported that Henry had raised concerns about Peter.

Haringey responded to the BBC’s findings in regard to Ms Henry by posting a statement on its website from 17 November 2008 to 7 April 2009.

The statement directly contradicted Ms Henry’s account of the concerns she raised in December 2006 and January 2007, after which she was no longer involved in Peter Connolly’s case.

Haringey has acknowledged that the allegation that Ms Henry did not raise concerns regarding the return of Peter to his mother was false. It also confirmed that an investigation of the role of its employees found that Henry had “no case to answer”.

The council agreed that she was not implicated in the mistakes leading up to Peter’s death.

Henry still works for Haringey as a social worker team manager and has the authority’s full confidence, her solicitor James Heath said.

Counsel for Haringey, Rupert Butler, told the court: “The London Borough of Haringey wishes to apologise unreservedly for the hurt and upset caused to Ms Henry by misrepresenting her role in the case of Peter Connolly and has agreed to compensate her in terms which are confidential.”