Baby P's mum Tracey Connelly who shocked the world with her horrific crimes against her 17-month-old son Peter is set to be released.
She was jailed at the Old Bailey in 2009 for causing or allowing the death of little Peter at their home in Tottenham, north London, on August 3, 2007.
Known publicly as Baby P, he had suffered more than 50 injuries at the hands of her partner Steven Barker and his paedophile brother Jason Owen over an eight-month period.
This was despite the youngster being on the at-risk register and receiving 60 visits from social workers, police and health professional during the same period.
Connelly admitted the offence and was handed a sentence of imprisonment for public protection (IPP) with a minimum term of five years.
This is her fourth review by the Parole Board since she was jailed. The decision was meant to be made last year but had been delayed pending more reports and information.
But this afternoon Justice Secretary Dominic Raab told the House of Commons he plans to appeal against the Parole Board’s decision that recommends Connelly should be released from prison.
In a statement a spokesperson for the Parole Board said: “We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Tracey Connolly following an oral hearing.
“Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.
"Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.”
Connelly was released in 2013 but was locked up again two years later after breaking the terms of her parole by selling indecent photographs of herself online.
Last year it was reported Connelly may have to agree to undergo lie detector tests to prove she is not reoffending.
The Parole Board considered her case for a third time in 2019 following previous reviews in 2015 and 2017, and refused to either release her or move her to an open prison.
In 2020 she lost an appeal against the latest Parole Board decision not to release her.
Stepdad still in jail
Last March the tragic tot's stepdad has had his parole bid refused, and was told he must remain in high-security prison for refusing to confront his crimes.
Steven Barker, 44, was jailed for “causing or allowing the death of a child” in 2007.
The decision was made after the panel heard evidence from psychiatrists and prison officials, who said unrepentant Barker had failed to address his sickening urges, it is reported.
Barker’s risk factors included “the impact on him of past life experiences, his capacity to become sexually aroused towards very young children, not being able to control extreme emotions and his difficulties in relationships,” the panel was told, according to the Sun.
Failings
Following Baby Peter's death a report found he died because of incompetence by almost everyone who was supposed to protect him.
The toddler, now known by his full name Peter Connelly, would still be alive if doctors, social workers, lawyers and police had done their jobs, previously secret documents showed.
The papers detailed the horrifying extent of blunders that led to the 17-month-old being tortured and beaten to death.
A gp failed to act over his bruises, police did not investigate injuries and a meeting on putting him into care was delayed.
Crucially, social workers should have known mum Tracey Connelly lived with violent Stephen Barker and his brother Jason Owen.
Missed chances to save him were set out in two serious case reviews published in full in October 2010.
Only summaries and conclusions had previously been made public.
The second review, ordered after the first was ruled inadequate, was scathing.
The "horrifying death should have been prevented" and abuse "stopped in its tracks at the first serious incident".
It added: "In this case, the practice of the majority, both individually and collectively... was incompetent. Their approach was completely inadequate and did not meet the challenge of the case."
The report criticised Peter's family doctor for not raising the alarm over suspicious bruises he found on the child's head and chest after the youngster apparently fell down stairs.
Police were slammed for not properly probing injuries while the staff at the school attended by the toddler's siblings had not mentioned problems with his mum.
Social workers and their managers did not ever "seriously think" that Peter was being harmed or in danger. Child protection officers should have realised psychopath Barker was living in the same house.
The toddler's social worker was told his mum had a partner but did not ask who he was or to meet him. Connelly even named her abusive boyfriend as next of kin.
Social workers should have been on their guard because of the state of the house, which was "disorganised, dirty and smelly: it smelled of urine from the dogs", and the children, who all had head lice.
Notice should have been taken of Connelly's troubled childhood.
Graham Badman, who headed the review, said: "We make it very clear that Peter's death could and should have been avoided."
Mr Badman insisted child protection had changed in Haringey, adding: "If Peter is to have any legacy it is children are safer."
Children's Minister Tim Loughton said: "It would be in everyone's interest if we can learn lessons, find closure and move on."
Who else failed baby Peter
CHILD SERVICES BOSS
Sharon Shoesmith, removed from her job by government after independent report. She later won £679,452 in compensation following a claim of unfair dismissal, the BBC reports.
THE SOCIAL WORKER
Maria Ward visited the home at least nine times. Sacked and lost unfair dismissal case
THE DOCTOR
Dr Sabah al-Zayyat failed to fully examine the baby and did not notice his broken back and was removed from the medical register.
A GMC panel granted her request for "voluntary erasure" from the register, meaning she avoids a full hearing and can still practise outside the UK.
THE COUNCIL LEADER
George Meehan was leader during Victoria Climbié scandal. Quit after Baby P report.
