Brandon Muir: Dundee safeguarding probe called after guilty verdict

An independent review has been called into child protection in Dundee after a man was convicted today of killing toddler Brandon Muir in the city in March 2008.

Robert Cunningham, the boyfriend of Brandon’s mother, Heather Boyd, was convicted of culpable homicide – a similar charge to manslaughter – on a majority verdict at the High Court in Glasgow.

Boyd was cleared of a number of charges, including culpable homicide, last week.

Independent review

Following the verdict, Dundee children and young persons protection committee ordered an independent review into any potential issues for child protection services surrounding Brandon’s death.

The review will be headed by Peter Wilson, the former chief constable of Fife Constabulary, and is in addition to an ongoing significant case review, which is required for any suspicious child death.

Changes if necessary

The committee’s chair, Fred McBride, said: “Should the review indicate any changes are necessary to our child protection procedures we will ensure that these are implemented.”

He said it was difficult to put a timescale on the review but said the committee had asked Wilson to report as soon as possible.

McBride added: “Brandon Muir’s death has been a shock for everyone in children’s services from all the organisations involved.”

More information

Guidance on conducting significant case reviews

BBC story on the case