SIR. Another week and more failures are revealed at the heart of Kingston Council.

A serious case review was held into allegations that a father was able to sexually abuse his children despite numerous contacts with social services.

In a shocking disregard for transparency, the review was removed from the council’s website after only five days.

This is against good practice and comes after the failings of Kingston’s children’s safeguarding came to light.

Kingston Council claims this was in line with guidelines, but these are guidelines of their own making. Kingston appears to be alone among London councils in refusing to allow its electorate to see reports and investigations into what is really happening. One has to ask what else they are trying to hide.

At what point will Councillor Bamford, lead member for children’s services, take responsibility for the failings in her department?

Are we really to have confidence that someone who has overseen such gross incompetence and negligence has the ability, understanding and drive to ensure that the urgently needed improvements will actually take place?

Coun Bamford is constantly being caught on the back foot, claiming ignorance and deflecting blame elsewhere.

How long can this parody of the democratic process be allowed to continue?

Kingston Labour Party again calls for Coun Bamford to resign her position and allow someone new to takeover responsibility for the task of making the important changes needed to prevent cases like this from happening in the future, and ensure proper protection for all Kingston’s children.

Kingston residents deserve better.

They deserve a council that takes responsibility for its failings, not one whose political leadership attempts to cover up its failings and then shifts the blame when the truth, despite its attempts at a furtive secrecy, starts to emerge.

Laurie South
Chairman
Kingston and Surbiton Labour Party