Baby P damages for social worker

Sylvia Henry brought libel proceedings in London's High Court over a statement posted on the council's website from November 2008 to April 2009 in response to her version of events which was reported by the BBC.

Her solicitor, James Heath, told Mr Justice Eady it directly contradicted her account of the concerns she raised from December 2006 to January 2007 – after which she was not involved in Peter Connolly's case.

"The allegation that Ms Henry did not raise concerns regarding the return of Peter to his mother is false," he said. "She is not implicated in the mistakes which led to Peter's death. She remains a social worker employed by the London Borough of Haringey and she enjoys the authority's full confidence."

Mr Heath said Peter was admitted to hospital in December 2006 with suspicious injuries and his case was referred to social services where it was dealt with by Ms Henry among others.

Ms Henry twice sought to find professional care for him, the court heard.