THE father of a stillborn baby said he bore no grudge against the midwife who was struck off for failing to do his job properly.

Len Reader, from Highgate Hill, Hawkhurst, said: “I don’t bear a grudge. I think everyone in life makes mistakes but his mistake cost our daughter’s life.”

In June 2004, Mr Reader's wife, Elizabeth, the mother of twins Jonah and Teegan, now six, gave birth after being in labour for nine hours in the Conquest Hospital, St Leonards’, East Sussex.

The midwife, Peter Davies, placed the baby, named Scarlett, on Mrs Reader’s chest, not realising she was dead.

Davies was struck off by the council for failing to carry out a catalogue of procedures including monitoring the baby’s heart and failing to seek assistance from more senior colleagues.

The hearing went ahead in Davies's absence although he submitted a statement denying any misconduct.

Afterwards, Mr Reader, a pest controller and gardener, said: “I am disappointed we had to wait so long because the hospital had the chance to tell the truth but instead they turned it round and tried to cover their own tracks by blaming my wife for the death of our baby."

Heartbreak parents' struggle for justice - read the full story in this week's Weald edition of the Kent Messenger.