Brighton MP Des Turner intends pressing health ministers for a review of the town's child cruelty case.

The member for Kemp Town was responding to news that Junior Health Minister John Hutton had rejected calls for a full public inquiry.

Mr Turner said: "I still think personally that the public interest would have been served by an open inquiry. I would liked to have seen one but the next best thing is a ministerial review and I shall be writing to health ministers making this point. I will not give up. This is a case somewhat out of the ordinary."

A mini inquiry has been ordered into the case by one of Brighton and Hove council's scrutiny boards. The meeting, to examine child care procedures, will be held on May 15 at Brighton Town Hall. Social services director Allan Bowman has agreed to give evidence.

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