The biological father of a seven year-old Birmingham girl who died while in her mother’s care has announced plans to sue Birmingham City Council.
Khyra Ishaq died in 2008 after being starved over a period of several months. Her 35 year-old mother, Angela Gordon, and another man living in the house later pleaded guilty to Khyra’s manslaughter
A serious case review conducted by local agencies found that better assessments and more efficient communication could have prevented the death, saying there were “a number of early missed opportunities for intervention by professionals”.
A local law firm has now begun proceedings on behalf of Khyra’s father and surviving siblings.
A spokesman for the firm said: “The claim against the council alleges that it owed a duty of care to the children and that the negligence of Birmingham City Council’s social services and its refusal to act played a key part in the longevity of the abuse.”
The spokesman confirmed that the case will be funded through legal aid.