News

• Debate over Laming report rages on
• INTERVIEW WITH VICTORIA CLIMBIE`S PARENTS

The parents of Victoria Climbie have not ruled out suing the workers involved in the eight-year-old's case, writes Clare Jerrom.

Berthe and Francis Climbie said they would digest the findings of Lord Laming's inquiry report initially before making a decision, but added that "all options would be considered".

In a moving press conference, the Climbies paid tribute to their daughter and expressed their disappointment with social services.

"I thought the whole purpose of social services is to defend, help and assist the most vulnerable people of our society - that's the children," Francis Climbie said.

"Victoria did not come into contact with just one social services - she came into contact with three," he added. "But unfortunately none of them took the opportunities available to talk to Victoria."

Francis Climbie blamed the agencies for focusing on Marie-Therese Kouao, the eight-year-old's great aunt who brought her to England, and has since been jailed for life for Victoria's death.

"But Marie Therese was not the client, Victoria was," he said.

Although all the agencies have acknowledged that in hindsight they would have conducted things differently, what makes the ordeal more painful is that none of them have accepted any responsibility, he added.

"We have accepted that in Victoria's case there was gross negligence, a lack of professionalism and a refusal to accept responsibility," Francis said.

But the recommendations delivered in the report are the opportunity to make sure no other child goes through what Victoria went through," he concluded.