Police in Poppi case criticised over handling of second child abuse claim

CUMBRIA police has been accused of failing to learn the lessons of the Poppi Worthington case as it emerged that the force was criticised over the handling of another child abuse allegation.

Days before a coroner ruled that Poppi had been sexually assaulted by her father before her death, the Independent Office for Police Conduct upheld a complaint against the force for failing to record an allegation of abuse.

The complainant in the latest case, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said it was “absolutely clear” that the force had not learnt its lessons in the five years since Poppi’s death.

The disclosures came as Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, assured John Woodcock, the local MP, that she would “urgently consider” his request for a public inquiry into Poppi’s case.

Prosecutors refused three times to put Paul Worthington, Poppi’s father, on trial as police blunders meant there was “insufficient evidence” to charge him. The CPS and the police are considering whether they can review the decision not to charge Mr Worthington.

In his ruling on Monday, the coroner said there had been “very significant failings” by the force but noted they had accepted the criticism and had “taken action”. But it has now emerged that just three days before his judgment, the IOPC upheld a complaint alleging “Cumbria Constabulary had been obstructive and had refused to investigate a number of serious allegations reported to them”. The IOPC did not give any direction to the force because by time the judgment was published the police had “realised the mistake” and had acted.

But the complainant said it had been a month and no one had been in touch. “I would have thought such serious allegations would warrant a rapid response,” he added.