SOCIAL workers who missed bruises on Arthur Labinjo-Hughes have been accused of a cover-up after it emerged crucial notes vanished before the murder trial.
During the court case a series of missed opportunities by police, social workers and teachers were highlighted.
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Two social workers claimed they were unable to see large bruises on Arthur Credit: SWNS 2
Crucial notes vanished before the Arthur Labinjo-Hughes murder trial Credit: PA
And in one glaring blunder, two social workers claimed they were unable to see large bruises — photographed on Arthur’s back by his gran just 25 hours earlier.
The Sun can reveal notes of the visit made by social worker Jayne Kavanagh disappeared before the eight-week trial at Coventry crown court.
They then emerged midway through proceedings when Mrs Kavanagh said she found them at home.
The jotter contained the words “scared” and “Tom remorseful” — referring to Arthur’s dad, Thomas Hughes, 29.
Quizzed over the notes in court, Mrs Kavanagh insisted: “I take my job extremely seriously. If at any point there were any safeguarding concerns I would have acted immediately to safeguard those children.”
But child safeguarding expert Gerald Hannah told The Sun he questioned whether there may have been a cover up.
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Mr Hannah, chairman of the children’s charity -Parenting Together, said the words used in the notes should have been huge red flags.
He said: “A special guardianship order should have immediately been imposed.
The boy obviously wasn’t safe and he should have been taken away.”
Solihull Council said it would leave “no stone unturned to understand, learn and fix any issues”.
West Midlands Police also shut down a log after Arthur’s uncle sent pictures of the bruising to an officer. Watchdogs are investigating.
Urgent national review into murder of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, 6, launched after social services turned blind eye to abuse
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