Weather delays death report

Duncan was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh

The publication of an independent report into the death of a three-year-old girl, which is expected to criticise social work and health authorities, has been put back because of the bad weather.

Kennedy McFarlane died in hospital in May last year after her mother's partner, Thomas Duncan, hit her on the head and sent her spinning across her bedroom where she collided with a bed.

The youngster was allowed to stay with Duncan despite social workers knowing she was at risk.

Kennedy McFarlane died in May last year

Duncan was jailed for life at the High Court in Edinburgh last November, after the trial judge described his actions as "a murderous attack involving an appalling degree of violence".

Lothian-based consultant paediatrician, Helen Hammond investigated the affair after social workers admitted they could have done more to protect the child.

Her report is expected to be hard-hitting, with criticisms being levelled at social workers and paediatric staff at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.

But Dumfries and Galloway Council was forced to postpone its publication on Tuesday until Thursday, 1 March, due to weather conditions.

During Duncan's trail, the court was heard that a post mortem examination on the girl revealed she had sustained an unusual spinal injury when she was attacked.

The pathologist compared it to the result of a 20ft fall or a severe road accident.