A council solicitor has been reported for trying to persuade members not to back a public inquiry into the Brighton child neglect case.

Paul Elgood, leader of the Lib Dems on the council, made an official complaint after receiving a letter from solicitor Claer Lloyd-Jones. Argus editor Simon Bradshaw wrote to all 78 council members asking if they supported our call for a public inquiry into the case.

The day after his letter was sent, Ms Lloyd-Jones wrote to councillors herself. Her letter said care proceedings, four criminal trials and a review commissioned by the Brighton and Hove Area Child Protection Committee would have picked up issues of professional neglect.

It added: "It is difficult to see what further information a public inquiry could elicit. The claim that 'the only inquiry so far has been private and internal' is misleading. There have been four public trials, High Court care proceedings and an independent cross-agency inquiry, the recommendations of which we have made public."

Coun Elgood complained to chief executive Glynn Jones: "The letter from Claer Lloyd-Jones moves from stating fact to making a value judgement on whether a public inquiry would be of benefit. Members must be free to make their own minds up and not lobbied by officers."

In his reply, Mr Jones wrote: "Councillors wanted advice and information as to the complex background of the case and specific advice on the merits or otherwise of a public inquiry. Fact-based advice was sent to all councillors as a matter of urgency. It is for councillors to act as they think fit."

Mr Bradshaw said: "I find it surprising, given the publicity surrounding the case, councillors needed more information. "Ms Lloyd-Jones' letter is in itself misleading. It is a fact there has been no investigation held in public into how the various agencies handled this case."

The call for an inquiry came after a couple were convicted of neglecting their children. Three babies in their care died, although the couple were cleared of their murder.

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