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Victoria Climbie’s great aunt will be required to give evidence in person to the public inquiry into the girl’s death.

Counsel to the inquiry, Neil Garnham QC, said he would be writing to Marie-Therese Kouao’s representatives for confirmation that Kouao would answer questions put to her.

Following legal advice, Kouao has previously refused to submit a written response to the inquiry for fear of influencing her appeal against her conviction in January for Victoria’s murder.

Garnham said the inquiry would assess her willingness to co-operate then decide whether or not to issue a summons. If a summons was issued, any further refusal on Kouao’s part to answer questions could then be referred to the attorney general.

It was proposed that Kouao’s boyfriend, Carl Manning, who was also sentenced to life imprisonment in January, would be asked to give oral evidence via a video link.