The Department of Health has ruled out a public inquiry into Brighton's child neglect case.

The decision, just days before councillors were due to discuss the case, sparked fury among campaigners who have accused the DoH and Ivor Caplin MP for Hove of pre-empting the council debate, due to take place on Thursday.

Today Mr Caplin called for the motion to be dropped after he received a letter from Health Minister John Hutton MP stating a full public inquiry was not considered necessary.

Mr Caplin said: "I trust that this will be an end to the speculation on this tragic case. After four public criminal trials, a High Court ruling and an independent investigation by a child protection expert, the Minister has clearly concluded that there is very little left to learn."

The Argus has been calling for the public inquiry after a Brighton couple were jailed for subjecting their children to a sickening catalogue of cruelty. Three children in the care of the couple died but the parents were cleared of murder because it could not be proved which, if either, was responsible.

The abuse continued for five years, despite the involvement of Social Services, police and GPs. There have been no public investigations into the case. Mr Caplin was the only Sussex MP who rejected calls outright for a public inquiry.

Mr Hutton's letter said the independent investigation had been "unequivocal in its criticism of aspects of the work in this case, where there was a long history of neglect of the children and domestic violence".

He added he did not feel an inquiry was needed "as all agencies are complying with the recommendations of the area child protection committee, under the monitoring of the Social Services Inspectorate within the Department of Health".

The majority of the 78 members of Brighton and Hove Council are backing the calls for an inquiry, particularly in the light of new claims criticising the independent investigation.

Councillors reacted with anger to Mr Caplin's intervention. Coun John Sheldon, Conservative deputy leader, said: "I am extremely disappointed. It just shows how out of touch the Minister is with the public down here. The evidence that has come to light through the Argus shows that a proper review does not appear to have been carried out.

Coun Paul Elgood, Lib Dem leader, also criticised the intervention of Mr Caplin and the Health Minister. He said: "It's a shame he's made public this decision before the council has met. There is clear pressure from local people. The reason we need a public inquiry is to restore public confidence in the service."

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