An investigation into how Haringey Borough Council's children services handled a case involving a child has been launched – on top of one that was previously revealed.

Councillor Ann Waters, the cabinet member for children, admitted to the inquiry during a full council meeting last month.

Earlier this year, a serious case review criticised the council for failing to protect three-year-old Child T, who was beaten so badly with a stick, cable and belt that he was hospitalised.

Weeks later Haringey's local safeguarding children board's (LSCB) confirmed it was investigating a new case of child abuse but said it could not comment further.

Opposition Liberal Democrat councillors uncovered the second LSCB serious case review when they asked the authority how many abuse cases in the borough were currently being investigated.

Cllr Waters then confirmed that there were two ongoing investigations into the handling of cases involving children.

Cllr Katherine Reece, the Lib Dem children’s spokesman, has renewed called for an independent investigation into the authority's children's services.

She said: “I am very concerned that there is another review into a child abuse case in the borough just weeks after a new serious case review was launched.

“We believe that an independent inquiry into the repeated failures to protect children from abuse in Haringey is urgently needed.

"We also believe that the system of serious case reviews is flawed and needs to be reformed at the very least to ensure some independent voices on the panels."

Previous calls for an investigation into repeated failures in child protection services by the authority have so far they have been rejected as the council claims improvements have already been made.

A council spokesperson said: “There are a number of criteria for conducting Serious Case Reviews - a SCR does not necessarily involve abuse of a child.

“Local Safeguarding Children Boards decide whether an incident notified to them meets the criteria for an SCR and it is their responsibility to notify the relevant bodies.

“We are committed to a culture of continued partnership working, learning and improvement and safeguarding remains a priority for the council.”