Ministers are calling for the acceleration of a report into Dundee's child protection services in light of the death of a toddler at the hands of his mother's boyfriend.

Brandon Muir died from a ruptured intestine after being assaulted by Robert Cunningham in March of last year. Cunningham, 23, was accused of murder but a jury in Glasgow returned a guilty verdict on Tuesday on a lesser charge of culpable homicide.

The Scottish Government has now asked Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) to bring forward its report on measures to protect children in Dundee and publish it three months early.

RESOURCES

Man found guilty of culpable homicide of Dundee toddler

Dundee Child services launch review in light of Brandon Muir case

Government urges swift report on Dundee child services

Extended interview with Fred McBride, Dundee's head of Childrens' Services

Interview with Alan Baird, Director of Social Work at Dundee

Interview with John Muir, father of Brandon Muir

The Dundee Children and Young Persons Protection Committee has also commissioned an independent review of any potential issues for child protection services surrounding the death of 23-month-old Brandon.

Adam Ingram, Minister for Children and early years, said: "This awful case is a harrowing reminder to us all why child protection measures are so important and it's crucial that, in light of this case and the public concern which it has raised, we get a clear picture of how child protection services in the Dundee City Council area are performing as quickly as possible.

"We have therefore asked HMIE, which has just begun a planned inspection into child protection services in the area, to bring forward its findings so that we have an in-depth account of what's happening on the ground.

"That report - alongside the independent review announced by Dundee, will help us get a clear and transparent picture of the circumstances surrounding Brandon's death and assess whether further measures need to be put in place to improve child protection in the city or nationally."

HMIE is currently leading a team of independent inspectors reviewing measures to protect children in Dundee. It will not directly investigate Brandon's death but will identify how multi-agency services are performing and provide recommendations for improvement.

Its report will now be published in June rather than September.

Alan Baird, director of social work at Dundee City Council, said: "This was a particularly tragic set of events and Brandon's death came as a shock to everyone.

"The agencies who do their best to protect vulnerable children welcome the help that people in our communities can provide by passing on any concerns they have.

"If the inquiry puts forward proposals that could lead to an improvement in this or any other area, we will make sure they are fully implemented."