§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on what date her Department received notification from Surrey police of their concerns about Miss Amy Gehring; what action was taken to consider her inclusion on list 99 before the conclusion of recent criminal proceedings; and when Ministers were informed of the communication from Surrey police. [35222]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Department received a letter on 20 November 2000 from Surrey police which contained factual information about allegations made against Miss Gehring, and stated that no further police action would be taken. The letter did not express concern about the risk that Miss Gehring might pose to children. By this time Timeplan had already placed Miss Gehring in the school where more alleged assaults took place, having failed to inform the LEA, DIES or the school of a Surrey child protection unit warning that she was a serious risk to children. After receiving information from the police my officials initiated their list 99 procedures, making a criminal background check and writing to Timeplan seeking copies of all the documents relating to the case. On 8 January 2001 my officials were informed by Surrey police that Miss Gehring's conduct was the subject of a fresh police investigation and they followed our normal practice of suspending further inquiries until documents, witness statements and other evidence from the police investigation and trial became available. Ministers were informed of the initial letter from Surrey police on 24 January 2002.