Climbie killers must give evidence

Victoria's parents welcomed the decision

The killers of Victoria Climbie are to be ordered to give evidence to the public inquiry investigating the circumstances of her death.

It is thought Marie Therese Kouao, 44, and boyfriend Carl Manning, 28, will be the first convicted murderers to give evidence at a public inquiry.

Victoria's parents, Francis and Berthe, welcomed the move as they spoke to reporters outside the hearing.

She may be less likely to refuse to answer question if she is here facing the court

Neil Garnham QC on Marie Therese Kouao

Mr Climbie said: "We must find out the truth and have justice. Marie Therese was a part of what has happened to our daughter."

Eight-year-old Victoria had 128 separate injuries on her body when she died in Tottenham, north London, in February last year.

Kouao and Manning, with whom she had been living, were both jailed for life for her murder in January.

Asked whether he and his wife would find it hard to see Kouao, Mr Climbie replied: "It is going to be very, very hard but it will not be a problem facing Marie Therese at all.

Trust

"We trusted her and she came to us and approached us with an intention to help one of our children. We trusted her with our child."

He added: "I do not know Manning. It is sad that he had contributed to what's happened to our daughter."

Manning is expected to give his evidence via video link from a secure location near his prison.

I was keeping my mind open to the possibility of abuse but I was reassured by what I saw in the home

Social worker Lisa Arthurworrey

But Kouao will be told to give hers in person, possibly in a crown court.

Mr Neil Garnham, QC, lead counsel for the inquiry, said: "She may be less likely to refuse to answer questions if she is here facing the court than in the relative comfort of a prison giving answers by video link."

Kouao has already refused to an earlier request to co-operate with the inquiry, saying it might jeopardise her appeal.

Mr Garnham said a letter would now be sent to Kouao's representatives, requesting her presence at the inquiry and seeking confirmation that she would be prepared to answer questions.

'Ray of sunshine'

It is expected that the pair will give evidence in mid-December or early January.

Victoria's parents had allowed Kouao to take her to Europe from Ivory Coast in 1998 in the belief she would receive a better education.

The inquiry has been hearing representations from social workers and police as to why Victoria was not better protected.

Lisa Arthurworrey, a social worker who closed Haringey social services' file on Victoria, on Friday told the hearing she "deeply regretted" not speaking to the child during one of several home visits.

Manning: Could give evidence via video link

She added that she had been "struck" by Victoria's presence when she opened the door.

"When I saw her, on 16 August, she was, as the nurses have described, like a ray of sunshine.

"She seemed happy... at that time, I did not know that I was dealing with child killers."

Ms Arthurworrey said she had considered Kouao a "responsible" and "child-focused" adult who came to the country to make a better life for herself and Victoria.

She said: "I thought I was dealing with a family struggling to find their feet in a new country.

"I was keeping my mind open to the possibility of abuse but I was reassured by what I saw in the home."