Daniel Pelka child protection boss quits new job after pressure for him to go
THE former head of the children's services department criticised over the death of four–year–old Daniel Pelka today quit his new role as child protection boss in east London, the Express understands.
Colin Green, was revealed yesterday as the incoming independent chairman of Safeguarding Children Board in Tower Hamlets.
That announcement had been heavily criticised because Mr Green was formerly director of children’s services at Coventry City Council.
His department had been identified for its part in failings over four year old Daniel’s death in March last year.
Daniel had been systematically beaten and starved by his own mother and stepfather, and his killers were convicted of murder.
A serious case review this week found key opportunities were missed to intervene in his case by Coventry’s children’s services team, together with health professionals, school staff, police and other child protection agencies.
Serious questions now have to be asked about how he was appointed
Geoffrey Robinson, Labour MP for the area of Coventry where Daniel and his family lived, said yesterday he was "stunned" at the news of Mr Green's appointment in east London, which he claimed was "an affront to public opinion".
The Express understands the panel that appointed Mr Green in Tower Hamlets had not been aware of the ongoing serious case review.
It is believed he was apointed three months ago.
The appointment panel including senior council officers, other highly placed officials, and the Borough Commander of Tower Hamlets, Chief Superintendent Dave Stringer.
Sources say the council’s most senior officer, Stephen Halsey, had been examining ways in which Mr Green’s appointment could be “reversed”.
Stephanie Eaton, the council’s Lib Dem councillor, had led the opposition to Mr Green’s appointment in Tower Hamlets yesterday.
She said: “It cannot be right that the person who was responsible for co-ordinating the agencies that failed Daniel Pelka is now coordinating the safeguarding of Children in Tower Hamlets.”
She added: “Serious questions now have to be asked about how he was appointed.”
The council said in a statement: “The new chair of Tower Hamlets Local Safeguarding Children Board, Colin Green, has decided to withdraw from the post with immediate effect.”