In the cold light of day it was a shitshow of safeguarding failures. If you want a ‘lessons learned’ approach, then we should’ve seen through the smokescreen and asked questions of the system. Don’t quote me on that.
Give me a while, I’ll dig out my old files. Might have something that helps. Yeah, we’ll meet up soon.
Best,
Louisa Sinclair
Editor, WembleyOnline
Email from the Reverend Edmund Barden-Hythe, Rector of St Barnabas Church, Sudbury, 12 June 2021:
TO:Amanda Bailey
DATE:12 June 2021
SUBJECT:Re: The Alperton Angels
FROM:Edmund Barden-Hythe
Dear Ms Bailey,
Thank you for your email. I’ve been vicar of St Barnabas in Sudbury for twenty-two years, so yes I was here when the Alperton Angels were in the news. The teenagers mentioned us in their statements, there was a flurry of media interest and as a result we are eternally associated with the case.
I can meet if you think I’ll be of help. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are my best days.
Yours sincerely,
Revd Edmund Barden-Hythe
WhatsApp messages between my editor Pippa Deacon and me, 12 June 2021:
Pippa Deacon
Hi Mand Quick question: have you found the baby yet?
Amanda Bailey
Hi Pips. It’s only been two days.
Pippa Deacon
Are you close?
Amanda Bailey
I’ve put feelers out with my two main contacts in social services, so
Pippa Deacon
How long will it take? Rough estimate?
Amanda Bailey
The case is 18 years old, so
Pippa Deacon
It’s just the OH is giving me grief about timings. You know TV people. Very competitive. Please try everything. The faster we bag that baby, the better.
