AN investigation is to be held over a police inquiry into the death of a toddler which saw his babysitter wrongly convicted of murder, the Independent Police Complaints Commission said today.

Suzanne Holdsworth was originally convicted of two-year-old Kyle Fisher's murder in March 2005 and jailed for life.

But last May, the Court of Appeal overturned her conviction after doubts were raised about the medical evidence presented in the first trial.

The 38-year-old was acquitted at a retrial at Teesside Crown Court in December 2008.

Kyle Fisher died on July 23, 2004 after suffering bleeding in his skull and brain swelling.

Ms Holdsworth, who now lives in Leeds, was accused of causing his injuries by repeatedly banging Kyle's head against a wooden banister in her home after losing her temper with him while babysitting.

But at the retrial, the jury was told about fresh evidence that established there was a reasonable possibility the toddler suffered a prolonged epileptic seizure, which led to the swelling in his brain.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said a number of complaints had been made about Cleveland Police's handling of the murder inquiry.

The complaints were referred to the IPCC and the commission will now manage a Cleveland Police investigation into the way the inquiry was handled.

The Commission has agreed on the appointment of a retired police officer who has never worked for Cleveland police to carry out the investigation.

They will also be in charge of the direction and control of the investigation, which will focus on particular aspects of police policy and the investigative direction of the original murder inquiry.

Gary Garland, IPCC Commissioner for the North East, said: "Ms Holdsworth was acquitted of the murder of Kyle Fisher and complaints have now been made concerning the original investigation.

"It is important that the IPCC provides independent oversight to the review of this investigation to ensure the public can have confidence in the outcome."