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Probe into Ofsted Baby P e-mails Probe into Ofsted Baby P e-mails
(about 1 hour later)
A High Court judge has demanded an explanation from Ofsted over suggestions its inspectors deleted e-mails relating to the Baby P case.A High Court judge has demanded an explanation from Ofsted over suggestions its inspectors deleted e-mails relating to the Baby P case.
A note in newly-disclosed documents indicates they were told to remove the material in November last year.A note in newly-disclosed documents indicates they were told to remove the material in November last year.
Mr Justice Foskett said if it was true it could raise "serious issues".Mr Justice Foskett said if it was true it could raise "serious issues".
He is considering a High Court claim by Sharon Shoesmith, ex-chief of Haringey children's services, that she was unfairly sacked after Baby P's death.He is considering a High Court claim by Sharon Shoesmith, ex-chief of Haringey children's services, that she was unfairly sacked after Baby P's death.
Handwritten note
At a previous hearing, the judge gave Ofsted 14 days to ensure no documents in the case had been withheld.At a previous hearing, the judge gave Ofsted 14 days to ensure no documents in the case had been withheld.
Ofsted, which wrote a damning report into Haringey Council's children's services, said it had "nothing to hide" and later released further documentation to the court.Ofsted, which wrote a damning report into Haringey Council's children's services, said it had "nothing to hide" and later released further documentation to the court.
'Innocent explanation'
Mr Justice Foskett's comments on Tuesday followed a press application to see the newly-disclosed documents, which he turned down and said he was unable to make a final ruling.Mr Justice Foskett's comments on Tuesday followed a press application to see the newly-disclosed documents, which he turned down and said he was unable to make a final ruling.
He said that Ms Shoesmith's solicitors had raised the question of whether any instruction was given to members of the inspection team undertaking the Ofsted report, which was central to the case, to delete e-mails "from the system" relating to "Baby P or Haringey".He said that Ms Shoesmith's solicitors had raised the question of whether any instruction was given to members of the inspection team undertaking the Ofsted report, which was central to the case, to delete e-mails "from the system" relating to "Baby P or Haringey".
The judge said his attention had been drawn to a handwritten note in the papers, disclosed after the hearing on 10 November, which appeared to suggest that something like that was said at an Ofsted meeting on 18 November 2008.The judge said his attention had been drawn to a handwritten note in the papers, disclosed after the hearing on 10 November, which appeared to suggest that something like that was said at an Ofsted meeting on 18 November 2008.
He said he had looked at the note and its transcription.He said he had looked at the note and its transcription.
'Innocent explanation'
The judge said: "If anything like this was said or acted upon it could potentially raise serious issues."The judge said: "If anything like this was said or acted upon it could potentially raise serious issues."
He went on to say there may be a wholly innocent explanation for the note.He went on to say there may be a wholly innocent explanation for the note.
Demanding a response from Ofsted, the judge said the matter should be addressed urgently.Demanding a response from Ofsted, the judge said the matter should be addressed urgently.
An Ofsted spokeswoman said: "As the judge's ruling is interim, and these are matters before the court and between the parties, it would not be appropriate to comment at this time.
"We will be responding in full to the court on all the matters raised."