The abandoned boys, aged 9 and 11, were left for three years. The mother, a French national, and her partner were detained in Portugal. Extradition proceedings are underway.
This case has exposed a gap in British child protection laws. The children were on the radar of local authorities in the UK. But nothing was done.
Questions are now being asked about cross-border safeguarding protocols. The Home Office is facing pressure to review the system. Labour MPs are calling for a full inquiry.
The frontbenchers are circling. Watch this space.
