'I loved him very deeply,' says natural father of Baby P in emotional tribute to son
By Daily Mail Reporter Last updated at 12:06 AM on 15th November 2008
Grief: Baby P's father described him as 'a bouncing 17-month-old boy' who would shower him with hugs and kisses
The natural father of Baby P said today that he remembered his son as 'a bouncing 17-month-old boy' who would shower him with hugs and kisses.
The 44-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: 'I loved him deeply. I remember how he used to run up to me... or when he was in his pram he would bounce up and down until I took him out, giving me hugs and kisses.'
He added: 'Those who systematically tortured P and killed him kept it a secret. Not just from me but from all the people who visited the house up until P's death.
'Even after he died, they lied to cover up their abuse.
'The verdicts will help to bring closure for what has been a very traumatic time for me, P's family and indeed all those who knew and were close to him.'
He thanked all of those who helped bring justice to Baby P and asked for privacy.
'I would like to thank the police for their efforts in obtaining the evidence to bring a conclusion to this case.
'I would also like to thank the social workers who have been involved since P's death. They have acted with professionalism and courtesy.
'Finally, I wish to thank my family and friends who have given me comfort and support during this traumatic time.
'At this stage, I intend to make no further comment. I would ask you to respect my privacy and that of my family.
'Please allow us to get on with our lives and rebuild our futures.'
Baby P's parents married in 2003 but split up within three months of his birth in March 2006, after his mother had two affairs.
She told police that her husband was a violent alcoholic who had beaten her, but relatives have questioned her version of events.
They said that she was a 'slob' who left all the housework and child care to her husband.
Despite that, he made several attempts at a reconciliation with his estranged wife, who was 17 years his junior.
These shocking images reveal some of the horrific injuries Baby P sustained in his short life
He continued to make child support payments to her.
She repeatedly told him she was not interested in a reconciliation but hid from him the fact that she was living with a sadistic new boyfriend, who had a history of torturing animals.
Baby P's father's comments come as the Government came under fire for 'bureaucratic buck-passing' over the case.
It has been revealed the defenceless baby was already enduring the start of the campaign of torture that led to his appalling death, but ministers did nothing more than pass the information on to another department.
Tory leader David Cameron said: 'This is an absolutely tragic case of a baby who seems almost literally to have fallen through the cracks of a bureaucratic system.
'If letters are sent with both Haringey and children in the same sentence, then that should have been a real wake-up call.
'It seems that what may have happened is that bureaucratic changes in how inspections are carried out didn't help.
'And it also seems that everyone is saying that procedures were followed rather than actually asking who was responsible and why didn't they act.'
Gordon Brown pledged today that he would do 'everything in my power' to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.
Speaking on a trip to New York, the Prime Minister said: 'I am determined that everything we do, the inquiries we are having in this case, reveal everything that went on.
'But I am absolutely sure that, like me, every parent in the country is outraged and shocked by what has happened and angered about what happened to that infant.'
It emerged today that a whistleblower wrote to ministers and inspectors six months before Baby P's death to raise concerns about Haringey's child protection services.
Haringey is the same local authority that was heavily criticised for failing to prevent the murder of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie in 2000.
The three people convicted of involvement in killing Baby P were warned today that they faced 'substantial' terms in prison.
Old Bailey Judge Stephen Kramer told the child's mother, 27, her 32-year-old boyfriend, and lodger Jason Owen, 36, that they should not be fooled into thinking otherwise because he had ordered pre-sentence reports.
They will be sentenced on December 15.
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