Advertisement

Cumbria police 'failed to learn lessons' over Poppi Worthington, it is claimed

The investigation into the death of Poppi Worthington was a litany or errors  - You Tube
The investigation into the death of Poppi Worthington was a litany or errors - You Tube

Cumbria police have been accused of failing to learn lessons from their failure in the Poppi Worthington case as it emerged that they have been criticised by the watchdog over their handling of child abuse allegations in recent weeks.

Just days before a coroner ruled that Poppi had been sexually assaulted by her father before her death, the Independent Office for Police Conduct upheld a complaint against the force for failing to record a separate allegation of child abuse. 

Prosecutors have refused three times to put Paul Worthington on trial as police blunders, including not treating the 13-month-old's death as a criminal inquiry for eight months, mean that there is "insufficient evidence" to charge him. 

The complainant in the latest case, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said it was "absolutely clear" that the force had not learnt their lessons in the five years since Poppi's death. 

The revelations come as Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, assured a local MP that she would "urgently consider" his request for a public inquiry into Poppi's case. 

John Woodcock, MP for Barrow-in-Furness where Poppi was living at the time of her death in 2012, said: "I am pleased that the Home Secretary took time to see me.

"She made clear she recognises the community is reeling over Poppi's death and the terrible failings that surround it.

"Mrs Rudd pledged to consider urgently what steps she can take in the light of (the inquest) verdict and asked me to work with her home office team to try to make any action she takes as effective as possible.

Poppi Worthington was sexually abused by her father Paul, left, before her death, the coroner ruled
Poppi Worthington was sexually abused by her father Paul, left, before her death, the coroner ruled

"Ministers always stress they cannot direct the Crown Prosecution Service who we are praying will look at the case in a fresh light following the coroner's verdict.

"But the Home Secretary can act to help restore confidence in our policing system which has been badly damaged by this terrible affair."

The CPS and the police are currently considering the conclusion of the inquest to see whether they could review the charging decision against Mr Worthington. 

Mr Woodcock said that the "grotesque failings" of the police need to be examined. 

In his ruling on Monday, the coroner said that there had been "very significant failings" by the force but he did not make any recommendations for improvement as he noted they have accepted the criticism and have "taken action". 

It has now emerged that just three days before he delivered his judgement, the IOPC upheld a complaint against the force for failing to record allegations including child abuse and actually bodily harm against a child. 

The complaint alleged that "Cumbria Constabulary had been obstructive and had refused to investigate a number of serious allegations which you reported to them". 

The  IOPC, which took over from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) earlier this month, said that in their decision letter that they upheld the complaint as "the matters you raise are required to be recorded". 

The IOPC did not give any direction to the force as by the time the judgement was published Cumbria had "realised their mistake" and appointed an officer to investigation, the complainant said.  

But it has been a month since they reversed their decision and the detective has still not been in touch, he added. 

He  continued: "It does appear despite this ruling by the IPOC, Cumbria police continue to fail to investigate and fail the children of Cumbria. I would have thought such serious allegations would warrant a rapid response.

"It is clear the deep and troubling problems of all agencies involved in child protection in Cumbria are still very much present."

Cumbria Constabulary spokesperson said: “The Constabulary can confirm that it is investigating a complaint made by a member of the public in relation to the service they received. 

“The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) referred the complaint to the Constabulary’s Professional Standards Department for a recording decision.

 “The Constabulary had officially recorded this as a complaint, prior to the referral from the IOPC, following receipt of further information from the complainant.“

Tim Farron, the Lib Dem MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said: “After the utterly appalling tragedy of Poppi Worthington, we owe it to Poppi not only to get justice for her, but to learn every lesson so that no child is at risk of ending up in that situation ever again.

“I welcome the IPOC’s announcement, as it is vitally important that there is complete transparency so we can ensure the police, social services and others are properly able to protect our children.”

An investigation by the IPCC into Cumbria's investigation into Poppi's death had found that a litany of failings by officers meant that no one was brought to justice. 

Poppi Worthington
Poppi Worthington

The two senior officers responsible, Detective Superintendent Mike Forrester and Detective Inspector Amanda Sadler, were found to have a case to answer for gross misconduct but Mr Forrester retired aged 48 on a full pensions before disciplinary action could be taken. 

Mrs Sadler, a former Miss Great Britain beauty queen, was found guilty by her force and demoted to Sergeant. She has also since retired.