A second inquest into the death of 13-month-old Poppi Worthington has opened as her 49-year-old father will face questions in public about her death for the first time.
The controversial first hearing into the baby’s death was shrouded in secrecy and lasted just seven minutes.
Paul Worthington, 49, has escaped prosecution over his involvement in his daughter Poppi’s death after police lost crucial evidence.
The former supermarket worker will now give evidence at the second inquest at County Hall, in Kendal.
Poppi Worthington died in December 2012 after she collapsed at home at Barrow-in-Furness
Mr Justice Peter Jackson, a High Court judge, ruled in January 2016 that Mr Worthington had probably sexually assaulted the 13-month-old girl in the hours before her collapse.
He said Poppi’s ‘significant bleeding’ within 15 minutes of the 999 call made from the family home could only be sensibly explained as the result of penetrative trauma.
He also listed 12 serious errors and omissions by police, social workers and medical staff.
These meant the most basic evidence that could have helped secure a prosecution was lost or never collected.
Police failed to collect key evidence including Mr Worthington’s laptop, Poppi’s last nappy, clothes and bedclothes, and bedding from the hospital where she was declared dead.
Forensic tests were not carried out, the family home was not secured, senior officers did not visit the home and the parents were not arrested and interviewed by police for eight months.
Cumbria Police and social services then tried to cover up their numerous failings.
The original inquest into Poppi’s death was heard in private, lasted just seven minutes and heard no evidence
Poppi died from the injuries sustained shortly after her father, who had been watching pornography, took her into his bed at the family home in Barrow-in-Furness, in December 2012
The original inquest into Poppi’s death, in 2014, for ‘a child aged 13 months’ was heard in private, lasted just seven minutes and heard no evidence.
Coroner Ian Smith recorded an open verdict, which was later ruled unlawful.
The facts surrounding Poppi’s death only began to be made public after an 18-month legal fight by the Mail and other media groups.
Paul Worthington will give evidence at the inquest into the death of his daughter Poppi
Coroners can ask witnesses to attend informally or issue a summons under common law powers.
A person cannot refuse to be a witness because their evidence could lead them to be charged with a crime, but they can refuse to answer questions put to them on the grounds of self-incrimination.
The latest hearing comes almost five years after Poppi died from the injuries sustained shortly after her father, who had been watching pornography, took her into his bed at the family home in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, in December 2012.
A Home Office pathologist reported she had sustained internal injuries before she died consistent with sexual abuse but a formal cause of death has not been ascertained.
The second inquest will seek to establish the circumstances surrounding Poppi’s death.
Mr Worthington is among 39 names on a list of witnesses to appear in person at the hearing.
Earlier this year he asked for permission to give evidence via videolink after voicing fears for his own safety.
HM senior coroner for Cumbria, David Roberts, is expected to adjourn the proceedings over Christmas and New Year before he gives his formal conclusions on January 15
On Monday a more extensive examination of the circumstances surrounding the death of Poppi, after she collapsed at her home with serious injuries in December 2012, will take place at County Hall, Kendal, (pictured) and last up to four weeks
Flowers laid at Poppi’s grave. An Independent Police Complaints Commission report concluded that senior detectives probing Poppi’s death were ‘unstructured and disorganised’
Last year the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed there was ‘insufficient evidence’ to charge Mr Worthington with any offence over his daughter’s death
Other witnesses appearing include Poppi’s mother, her aunt Tracey Worthington, and paramedics who responded to the 999 call.
Fiona McGhie, a lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the child’s mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: ‘Poppi’s mother hopes that the inquest, which has been much delayed over the last two years, can shed some light on Poppi’s final hours.’
Police officers who attended Poppi’s home address in the hours after she died will also give evidence, as will former detective inspector Amanda Sadler, who was allowed to retire rather than face gross misconduct charges.
HM senior coroner for Cumbria, David Roberts, is expected to adjourn the proceedings over Christmas and New Year before he gives his formal conclusions on January 15.