AN URGENT external review of social work services in Fife has been called for following the death of toddler Liam Fee.

Last week, Fife Council welcomed the findings of a misconduct case in which a social worker involved in the case was struck off the social work register.

Lesley Bate, 60, was found guilty of misconduct by the professional care watchdog, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), and was removed from the social work register.

A SSSC subcommittee found her guilty of 12 charges of misconduct relating to 15 children, including two-year-old Liam, who was murdered by his mother Rachel Fee and her civil partner, Nyomi Fee.

As well as barring Mrs Bate from social care work, the SSSC said "systemic failures" at Fife Council were partly to blame for the "pattern of misconduct that developed".

Dunfermline councillor Neale Hanvey believes the case has left a "serious question mark" hanging over social work services in the Kingdom.

Mr Hanvey, the SNP health and social care spokesperson on Fife Council, slammed the council's response and called for an external review. "This is a case of national significance and I struggle to understand how anyone would 'welcome' such dreadful findings against one of our staff," he said. "Sadly, this episode leaves a serious question mark over the quality of our services.

"An external review by an impartial body would enable them to rebuild trust and confidence with the wider community. It would give the social work service the opportunity to demonstrate its best practice while also being advised and supported on how best to strengthen and recover."

However, Cllr Hanvey's calls were refuted by Fife Council leader David Ross, who accused him of undermining public confidence in the council's child protection service.

“He seems to be intent on throwing mud in all directions hoping some of it will stick. Unfortunately, the only people who really suffer from this are our child protection staff who are unable to answer back because of their professional positions," he said. "These staff do a difficult enough job at the best of times and don’t need councillors, who should know better, undermining them. Somebody needs to speak up for these staff.

“There is already an independent inquiry under way into the tragic case of toddler Liam Fee. I’m sure there will be lessons to be learned from this whatever the outcome.

“Children’s Services in Fife underwent a full external inspection by the Care Inspectorate, which reported in March this year, and came out with flying colours. There is no justification for a further inquiry.

“Cllr Hanvey has had the same briefings I have had from the council’s chief social work officer and the chief executive. He has the evidence from the recent Care Inspectorate report. This should have allayed any concerns he had. By persisting with his calls for a further enquiry he is effectively saying he doesn’t believe these senior officers or the Care Inspectorate. It’s time he got behind our staff instead of fuelling public concern with his continued criticism.”