ON the same day Baby P's mother, boyfriend and their lodger are jailed, a damning report concludes his death could have been prevented.

A second serious case review, parts of which were published today, found doctors, lawyers, police and social workers should have been able to put an end to the toddler's abuse.

It found agencies lacked urgency, thoroughness and did not challenge explanations given by Peter's mother concerning the cause of his injuries.

The review was commissioned by children's secretary Ed Balls because the conclusions of the first review were "inadequate".

The report found that agencies involved with Peter's case were "too willing" to believe his mother's accounts of herself, her care of 17-month-old Peter and of the extent of her relationship with the man it later emerged was her live-in boyfriend.

Agencies also failed to take into account her own complicated background — having witnessed violence and abuse during her childhood.

Graham Badman, the chairman of Haringey's safeguarding children board, said: "I believe the most important lesson arising from this case is that professionals charged with ensuring child safety must be deeply sceptical of any explanations, justifications or excuses they may hear in connection with the apparent maltreatment of children.

"If they have any doubt about the cause of physical injuries or what appears to be maltreatment, they should act swiftly and decisively."

There was "a lack of urgency" about setting up a meeting to discuss the option of placing Peter into care, taking seven weeks to set up.

This was 'unacceptable', the report noted.

Mr Badman added: "Baby Peter's horrifying death could and should have been prevented. If the principles and approaches described in this report has been applied, the situation would have been stopped in its tracks at the first serious incident.

"Peter deserved better from the services which were there to protect him."

Haringey Council Claire Kober said: "This review clearly shows there were failings by all the agencies involved with Baby Peter. There were opportunities to help this family which should have been taken.

"I apologise for those failings."

She added that all recommendations had been implemented.