The head of Haringey Council has offered his and the authority's "heartfelt and unreserved" apology over the events that led to the death of Baby P.

Amid calls for his resignation, council leader George Meehan said sorry for "the suffering he endured" and the "failure of all the child protection agencies" to save the baby's life.

The apology came last night after Children's Secretary Ed Balls announced new laws to protect vulnerable children, while admitting the measures would not have saved Baby P.

The 17-month-old toddler died in a blood-spattered cot on August 3 last year. He had suffered more than 50 injuries at the hands of his mother, her boyfriend and a lodger despite repeated visits by the authorities. Yesterday, it emerged that three doctors had warned that Baby P appeared to be suffering physical abuse before his death.

A consultant paediatrician and two other medical experts concluded that bruises found on the little boy's body suggested "non-accidental" injuries.

The disclosure came as Mr Balls announced measures requiring every local authority to set up a multi-agency Children's Trust Board.

This, he said, would bring a "strengthening of accountability".

At a highly-charged meeting of Haringey Council last night, Cllr Meehan said: "There is no failure to apologise in full by this council, we do so unreservedly.

"There is no failure to recognise our accountability, we do so and await the report of the Government review."