An email to councillors after the death of Baby P last August denied any link to Victoria Climbie eight years ago, saying changes had been made in Haringey's social services.

The details of an email sent from Haringey Council's cabinet member for children and young people, Liz Santry, to other council members on August 13 2007, 10 days after Baby P died in his Tottenham home, have been made public by angry council members.

The 17-month-old child had been abused for eight months before August and was seen by health professionals 60 times over that period.

In her email, Ms Santry denied any links to Victoria Climbie, who died in similar circumstances in Tottenham in 2000.

Ms Santry's email said: "You will have read the very sad news of a 17 month old child from Tottenham who died on 3 August from serious injuries.

"The press has covered the case this weekend and of course has chosen to link it with events from the past. As you are all aware much has changed since these events."

The Director of the Victoria Climbie Foundation Mor Dioum spoke out publicly on Tuesday saying this case was actually worse than Victoria's death.

Ms Santry wrote on to call for sensitivity towards Haringey social workers and staff in the Children and Young People's services, of which Sharon Shoesmith is the director.

She wrote: "Whatever the facts, our social workers (and those around the country) bear the brunt of negative press coverage.

"I want everyone to be sensitive and supportive towards colleagues who work in social care and in the Children & Young People's Service generally, as I know you will be."

Although Ms Santry has publicly apologised on behalf of the council for failing to prevent Baby P's death, Ms Shoesmith has defended the actions of her department.

Liberal democrat leader Robert Gorrie, who received the email 13 months ago believes it shows lessons have not really been learned.

He said: "When you consider that this councillor took 48 hours to apologise, and now we read what the leading councillors really thought at the time, you have to question whether they really are willing to learn the lessons.

"In this terrible situation, we must have confidence in the people at the top. That is why the cabinet member and the leader of the council must resign."

However no resignations have been offered but Ms Santry said yesterday that until the outcome of the review, which began yesterday, she "will rule nothing in and nothing out."

She added: “[Baby P] died over 15 months ago, and for those past 15 months in Haringey there has been a huge amount of anguish, and endless discussion about what more we might have done to save this little boy.

“I have to say that we are truly sorry that we did not do more to protect him. Our duty is to protect our children. We did not do so in this instance and I would like to say how truly sorry we are."