The couple convicted of killing eight-year-old Anna Climbie will be asked to give evidence at the public inquiry into her death.

In what is thought to be an unprecedented move, the pair, both serving life for torturing Anna to death in what was described as Britain's worst child abuse case, would be escorted from their jail cells to the inquiry in Elephant & Castle, which opens on 31 May.

The inquiry was ordered by the Government after social workers and police were heavily criticised at the Old Bailey for failing to prevent Anna's death in February last year at the hands of her aunt Marie-Therese Kouao, 44, and her aunt's boyfriend, Carl Manning, 28.

According to sources close to the inquiry, Manning and Kouao will be approached and asked if they have any information about the services provided by the authorities.

If they agree to appear, the prison service will be consulted on whether it thinks the move "appropriate".

A spokesman for the inquiry said: "This inquiry will be robust and open and fair. It is important that the inquiry tries to get as much information and as many appropriate witnesses as possible."

Lord Laming, heading the inquiry, said it would have the same impact on social care as the Macpherson Report had on race relations, adding: "It is a unique inquiry. The local authority [Haringey] will be asked to explain what happened and there is a possibility that even councillors may be asked to give evidence.

"I think in this country we have a remarkable record of child protection. Why didn't it work with Anna? We want to make sure the system prevents a tragedy as awful as this happening again."

Lord Laming, a former chief inspector of social services, added: "The inquiry will look at the contact between each of the services [police, health and social services] and how the case was handled." He said no one involved will be able to "duck out" as the inquiry will have the legal power of subpoena.

Although the inquiry will be public, he said that in "extreme circumstances", for instance where social workers offer to give evidence about their colleagues, hearings could take place behind close doors.

Lord Laming is also appealing for information from members of Anna's community in Tottenham who may be able to shed light on the events leading up to her death.

Used courtesy of the London Evening Standard

See also:

Climbie inquiry website