A CONSULTANT yesterday voiced concerns that her report into the murder of a child had not been made public.

The body of five-year-old Danielle Reid, from Inverness, was found in a suitcase dumped in a canal on January 7, 2003.

Dr Jean Herbison, a consultant paediatrician, who was commissioned in June 2003 to investigate the case, said she was concerned lessons could not be learnt from it until the report was made public. The document is in the hands of the multi-agency Highland child protection committee.

Dr Herbison, who works for Yorkhill Hospital Trust in Glasgow, said: "This is an important document and there are key recommendations with local and national importance which, if implemented, would help protect vulnerable children throughout the UK.

"It is all about learning lessons and honouring Danielle's death so it is not in vain."

Danielle was murdered by Lee Gaytor, the lover of her mother Tracey Reid. He hit her four times and threw her down the stairs at the home they shared in Inverness.

The girl's body was then put into the suitcase and wheeled through the city centre in a supermarket trolley before being dumped.

Dr Herbison was asked to investigate possible failings in communication between the education and social-work departments of Highland Council. An internal investigation by the local authority has already cleared officials of not following procedures.

Ian Latimer, chief constable of Northern Constabulary and chairman of the Highland child protection committee, said the report's contents were still being considered.