Girl's death prompts care review

A city council is to review the case of a seven-year-old girl who may have starved to death.

Birmingham Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood earlier demanded an investigation into any contact social services had with the family of Khyra Ishaq.

Khyra was pronounced dead on Saturday. Two people have been charged with neglect in connection with her death.

The council said it has been granted an emergency protection order for her five siblings who were now in foster care.

Angela Gordon, 33, and Junaid Abuhamza, 29, have appeared before the city's magistrates charged with neglect.

The pair, believed to be Khyra's mother and stepfather, were remanded in custody until 28 May.

Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board will discuss Khyra's case on Friday, a council spokesperson said.

'Our priority'

The spokesperson said the board would "review this case as they do with every child death".

The council's statement added it was granted the emergency protection order for her siblings "as soon as we were made aware of her death".

"The care and welfare of the siblings remains our priority and the children have now been placed in foster care," it added.

Flowers have been left outside the house in Leyton Road

Mr Mahmood claimed the youngster had been removed from school by her mother 10 weeks ago.

He said there should be an inquiry into what action was taken by officials and pledged to write to the chief executive of Birmingham City Council.

He accused the council of "battening down its hatches", by instructing its officers not to comment.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has backed Mr Mahmood's call for an inquiry.

"What I think is important is we, as the local MP has called for, look very carefully at the background of the case before coming to any immediate conclusions.

"But it's a tragedy and I feel desperately sorry for those who knew the young girl," she said.

Police are continue their investigations into Khyra's death, including a theory she died because of starvation.