MPs to question Solihull Council over death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes
The six year old was murdered by his step-mum in 2020
Last updated 11th Jan 2022
Children's services in Solihull will be put under the spotlight later as MPs look at what more could have been done to save Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.
The six year old suffered months of abuse by his dad and step-mum before he was brutally murdered by Emma Tustin at his home in Shirley. He suffered an "unsurvivable brain injury" when his head was "banged repeatedly against a hard surface" before he died in hospital the following day on the 17th June, 2020.
32 year old Emma Tustin was sentenced to a minimum of 29 years in prison. His dad, 29 year old Thomas Hughes, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to a minimum of 21 years.
During their trial last year the court heard how there were 'no safeguarding' concerns in the weeks before his death, despite multiple calls to local services and police from other members of the family. Now, the Education Committee will question Solihull council and look into whether opportunities to save the youngster's life were missed.
Arthur's grandmother said she passed on her concerns to social services at Solihull Council two months before he died after taking photos of bruises on his back.
Social workers said Arthur was "happy and playful", so it was declared there were "no safeguarding" issues. But lawyers said during the trial that "as far as investigations go, that wasn't their finest hour." A second social services referral was made by Emma Tustin's step-father John Dutton. He made an "anonymous referral" because he felt Arthur was "in danger."
A separate national review into Arthur's death has been announced by the Education Secretary which will also look into what lessons can be learned from Arthur's tragic death.