Counsel to demand Kouao’s presence

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.