Paediatrician trained in Ireland defends her role in Baby P case

THE PAEDIATRICIAN at the centre of the Baby P child abuse scandal in the UK has issued a statement saying she has been "deeply affected" by events.

Saudi-born Dr Sabah Al-Zayyat, who spent time working in hospitals in Ireland between 1999 and 2006, has been criticised for failing to spot that Baby P had a broken back just days before he died in a filthy blood-soaked cot in Haringey, north London.

Dr Al-Zayyat worked as a junior doctor under supervision in the Midlands Regional Hospital in Mullingar in 2002 and is also believed to have worked in a number of other Irish hospitals.

Baby P had suffered more than 50 injuries at the hands of his mother, her boyfriend and a lodger despite dozens of visits by the authorities from Haringey council. His death has led to outrage and questions have been asked about child protection measures in the UK.

British prime minister Gordon Brown has promised that anyone found guilty of failings in the case will be "held accountable" and his government has announced an independent review.

Two days before Baby P died in August last year, Dr Al-Zayyat noticed bruises to his body, but she decided she could not carry out a full examination as the boy was "miserable and cranky".

She has since had her contract with Great Ormond Street Hospital in London terminated and has been banned from working unsupervised until the end of an inquiry. Dr Al-Zayyat is appealing that decision and issued a statement yesterday through the Medical Protection Society in the UK protesting her innocence.

She said: "Like everyone involved in this case, I have been deeply affected by the shocking and tragic circumstances of this young child's death . . . I will co-operate with any investigation to identify whether lessons can be learned from this case."