The British Association of Social Workers has criticised media reports naming a social worker for his part in a case involving a man who killed his friend and ate his brain.

Roger Hargreaves, chair of BASW’s mental health group, said reports including details about letters sent to the Home Office recommending Peter Bryan’s release from Rampton special hospital had focused exclusively on the role of the social worker, ignoring the part played by psychiatrists.

He said the press picked on social workers as “soft targets” in cases involving the mental health system.

Bryan was detained indefinitely at Broadmoor last week after he pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to the manslaughter of his friend Brian Cherry in February 1994.

Three reviews of the case have been launched.