Father refuses to answer questions at baby death inquest

THE father of Poppi Worthington refused to answer questions 69 times as he gave evidence at the fresh inquest into his daughter’s death, invoking a rule on potential self-incrimination.

Paul Worthington (49) repeatedly said: “I refer to my previous statements, I don’t wish to answer” to questions posed in the County Hall, Kendal, at the second hearing into the circumstances surrounding the 13-month-old girl’s death in 2012.

The former Asda worker has been in hiding for about two years since a family court judge ruled he probably sexually assaulted Poppi (right) before she collapsed at her home in Barrow-in-Furness and died in hospital more than a hour later. After he confirmed his full name, Paul Edward John Worthington, and that he was Poppi’s father, counsel to the inquest Alison Hewitt explained to him there would be “no trick questions”. Mr Worthington confirmed background details of the relationship with his ex-partner, including when Poppi’s mother became pregnant with her and that he later had a vasectomy in 2012.

But when the subject moved on to general sleeping arrangements in the household and how it would compare with the fateful events of the early hours of December 12, 2012, Mr Worthington’s barrister, Leslie Thomas QC, raised the possibility that his replies could be incriminating.

HM Coroner for Cumbria David Roberts agreed and told the witness he was not obliged to answer. Mr Worthington declined to comment about earlier statements and accounts on sleeping arrangements. Then, Mr Roberts informed Mr Worthington he was not obliged to answer any questions about events on the dates of December 11 and 12.

Mr Worthington elected to choose not to answer Miss Hewitt’s questions about similar previous statements he had made about those dates.