The Metropolitan Police has denied using press briefings to encourage journalists to blame social workers for death of Baby P.

A spokesman for the Met today said the briefings surrounding the Baby P case were “on-record” and routine.

In the BBC documentary Baby P: The Untold Story, screened on Monday, journalist Tim Donovan said police briefed reporters before the trial for Peter Connelly’s murder ended.

He said: “There was a police briefing about the likely impact of what had happened here, the nature of the people involved and who was likely to be blamed.

“And certainly colleagues told me that there was a very firm impression coming from the police at this briefing that, it was, you know, here we go again. It’s been, you know, social workers, big problems and it’s Haringey, again.”

Former ITV news producer Sharon Patrick, also in the documentary, declined to comment when asked if the police were briefing against social workers.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said the force does “not recognise” the allegations in the film.

He said: “Understandably the tragic death of Peter Connelly generated significant media and public interest.

“As with all high-profile cases reporters can request a briefing with the investigation team to clarify points raised during the trial and which are therefore already in the public domain.

“Briefings are also an opportunity for the media to apply for prosecution material which has been relied upon by the Crown in court.

“Such briefings are arranged in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service and take place at the conclusion of the summing up process by the judge, as the jury retires to deliberate their verdict.

“Everything discussed during such briefings is strictly ‘on-the-record’ but will be embargoed until the conclusion of the court case to avoid prejudicing proceedings.”

In the documentary, Great Ormond Street Hospital, which was managing Haringey’s St Ann’s Hospital, was also accused of trying to cover up concerns raised by doctors working there.

In a statement, the hospital drew attention to the large number of independent investigations into the Peter Connelly case.

It said: “It is a matter of public record that the involvement of Great Ormond Street Hospital in this tragic case has been reviewed by a large number of bodies including: the Trust Board; child protection experts recommended by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health; the independent organisation Verita; and independent solicitors commissioned by NHS London.

“It is also a matter of public record we have repeatedly and publicly apologised for any failings in the care of Peter Connelly and worked to ensure that service improvements were made.

"We have statements to this effect in the public domain and housed in the press archives of our website.”