The truth behind whether Kingston Council social workers altered computer records to cover up a lack of action in the Charito Cruz murder case may never be known.

A domestic homicide review (DHR) into the 2011 killing fails to shed light on claims that records of referrals from the NSPCC and contact with Ms Cruz were changed the day after she died.

Read the full report: REDACTED Report_into_the_death_of_Agapito___Overview_and_appendices.pdf

In January last year whistleblower Olivia Butler, former head of social care at Kingston Council, told the BBC computer records within social services were altered to “cover up the lack of action and proper response”.

But Kingston Council claimed the “rollback” was common practice, and in this case records were changed to keep them in chronological order.

Claims that a social work manager had taken the referrals home to read on the night Ms Cruz was killed were denied by the manager in question.

Although she promised her report into agency failings would be “fearless”, investigation author Davina James-Hanman was unable to get to the bottom of the claims.

Her report, published today, says: "It has not been possible from the evidence presented, to firmly conclude which version of events is truthful.

“Rather than prolong the [domestic homicide review] still further, the panel agreed to focus on what lessons could be learned.”

However, a formal letter was sent to workers outlining concerns about the practice.

After recommendations it should be reviewed, the council said it would only be used in 'exceptional circumstances' if agreed by a senior manager.

At a press briefing this week, Ms James-Hanman added: “I spoke to both parties involved. I don’t think there was a problem with the internal management review.

“The area that was disputed was about record- keeping, and timely record-keeping.

"The lessons have already been drawn from that. There needs to be more timely record-keeping.

"[The review] is not to kind of point a finger, it’s about learning lessons."