Fresh questions are being asked about whether ministers and inspectors could have prevented Baby P's death - as the first photograph of the little boy was made public.

The blond, blue-eyed toddler was just 17 months old when he died in a blood-spattered cot on August 3 last year, having suffered more than 50 injuries despite 60 visits from the authorities over eight months.

His natural father, who did not live with the child, has paid tribute to his "bouncing" boy, saying he "loved him deeply".

As the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, condemned the three people convicted of involvement in his son's death, it emerged that a whistleblower wrote to the Government six months before the infant was killed in Haringey, north London, warning of concerns about the area's child protection services.

But ministers did not investigate further, saying it was a matter for the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI).

Inspectors held a meeting with Haringey Council staff but ruled they were "satisfied" with how the specific fears raised by the whistleblower had been handled.

Conservative leader David Cameron said everyone appeared to be insisting procedures were followed rather than asking who was responsible and why they did not act.

In a statement read by his lawyer the boy's father said: "Those who systematically tortured P and killed him kept it a secret, not just from me but from all the people who visited the house up until P's death.

"Even after he died, they lied to cover up their abuse.

"The verdicts will help to bring closure for what has been a very traumatic time for me, P's family and indeed all those who knew and were close to him."

© Press Association 2008