A motion has been called for a public inquiry into the Brighton child neglect case.

It is a last-minute appeal by Tory councillors for Labour colleagues to support the Argus in its quest for a full hearing. Leading Labour councillors are against an investigation, saying there have already been changes to the way children at risk are dealt with following an internal inquiry ordered by the Brighton and Hove Area Child Protection Committee.

Yesterday Shadow Health Minister Dr Liam Fox stepped in to urge the Department of Health to hold a public inquiry. Dr Fox is writing to health minister John Hutton in support of a full probe after studying a folder of information on the cruelty case compiled by the Argus. His action comes days after Mr Hutton said in a letter he did not think a public inquiry was necessary.

Deputy Tory opposition leader John Sheldon visited the House of Commons yesterday to hand the Argus dossier to Dr Fox and urge him to raise the case in the Commons. Today he called on Labour councillors to support a public inquiry. A majority of Brighton and Hove's 78 members back the Argus.

He said: "I am hoping people who committed themselves to an inquiry in the Argus still stick by their consciences tonight. "

The Argus has been calling for a public inquiry after a Brighton couple were jailed for subjecting their children to a sickening five-year catalogue of cruelty, despite the involvement of social services, police and GPs.

Three children died while in the couple's care. They were cleared of murder because it could not be proved which, if either, was responsible.

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