A man jailed for life for the torture and drowning of a boy he accused of being a witch sat on a panel involved in the recruitment of senior officers for Camden Council in 2007.

Eric Bikubi, 28, from Dagenham, was last week convicted of murdering Kristy Bamu, the 15-year-old brother of his partner.

Five years ago, he sat on Camden’s Young People’s Consultation Forum.

The panel interviewed people for the posts of independent chairperson for the safeguarding of children and an adoption and fostering service adviser.

He also helped write “guidance for social workers on how to work with children”.

In a council brochure, Bikubi said: “The other people on the interview panel were very helpful to me. They helped me realise I had skills I wasn’t aware of.”

In 2000, Bikubi was given a police warning for harassment and, in 2003, he pleaded guilty to carrying a bladed article in a public place.

People sitting on the forum were not subject to Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks.

A council spokesman said: “We do not CRB check anyone taking part in any of our consultation forums.”

He added: “We were shocked to be informed of Eric’s arrest as this offence was completely out of character. The events that occurred in Newham are a tragic outcome for the family. We offer our sympathies to the family.”