A motion by two fifths of Haringey councillors to sack two of its most senior politicians was denied tonight.

Councillor Robert Gorrie, leader of Haringey Council’s liberal democrat opposition, called it a “disgrace” that no-one would lose their jobs over the failures to prevent the death of Baby P.

The 17-month-old was subjected to eight months of physical abuse in Haringey at the hands of his family, despite being on the child protection register and being seen by health professionals a total of 60 times.

At tonight’s first full council meeting since the convictions of the baby’s mother, boyfriend and lodger Jason Owen for the abuse of the child, 23 of Haringey’s 54 councillors called for the resignation of council leader George Meehan and cabinet member for children and young people Liz Santry.

But the motion to place culpability at the feet of politicians was denied by all 31 Labour councillors, despite an admission of serious failures in their services.

A minute’s silence for the death of Baby P was held at the start of the meeting. Chairman Mayor Alan Dobbie then went on to apologise “wholeheartedly and unreservedly” for the failings that led to his death. This was echoed by Mr Meehan and Ms Santry in quick succession.

Councillor Gorrie said: “We need to be clear that any suggestion that this is treated by the council as just another failure that can be explained away by best practices is just not acceptable for the residents of this borough.

“We are doubly notorious as the Baby P borough as well as the Victoria Climbie borough.”

Ms Santry said she will be waiting for the results of the government inspector’s report into Haringey’s services before taking action but ensured “where serious mistakes are made there must be accountability.”

She added an extra £3 million has been ploughed into services this year and in the week after the Baby P murder trial verdict, 10 more children were taken into care.

But she refused to resign and rejected calls for a public inquiry into Haringey’s actions, saying it would “simply stretch things out”.

Deputy council leader Lorna Reith defended her colleagues, saying they had done a lot of “soul searching” since August last year.

Protesters interrupted the meeting with cries of “shameful” and “resign” as councillors defended their actions.

Mr Gorrie compared tonight’s events to a similar situation in 2003 when the council refused to take responsibility for the recommendations in Lord Laming’s report into Victoria Climbie’s death.

She died at the hands of her great aunt in Haringey in similar circumstances in 2000, aged just eight.

He said: “I find it deeply depressing. The lack of accountability is a travesty. The fact is we’re back where we were in 2003.”

Although tonight’s meeting rejected a vote of no confidence in its leaders, Mr Gorrie said this issue will be back “fairly regularly.”