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Baby P chief loses appeal against sacking
12.01.09
THE former children's services chief who lost her job over the Baby P tragedy lost an appeal against her sacking today.
Sharon Shoesmith, 55, was dismissed without compensation from her senior position at Haringey Council in north London last month after a damning report into her department's failings.
She launched an attempt to overturn the decision to sack her but a panel of councillors rejected her appeal.
Children's Secretary Ed Balls sent inspectors into Haringey Council after the trial of those responsible for 17-month-old Baby P's death.
The inspectors identified a string of "serious concerns" about the local authority's child protection services, which they described as "inadequate".
Mr Balls removed Ms Shoesmith from her post on December 1 but she remained suspended on full pay until Haringey councillors decided to dismiss her a week later.
Ms Shoesmith's appeal hearing before a panel of three Haringey councillors began on Wednesday last week and lasted three days.
A Haringey Council spokesman said today: "A panel of councillors has rejected an appeal by Sharon Shoesmith against her dismissal on December 8 2008.
"The decision was taken today by a different panel of councillors from the ones who made the original decision.
"Ms Shoesmith will not be returning to work in Haringey. She will not receive any compensation package. She will not receive any payment in lieu of notice."
Employment law experts say Ms Shoesmith could be in line for a payout of up to £173,000 if she can prove that the council was wrong to sack her.
She may now make claims against Haringey for breach of contract and unfair dismissal.
Baby P, who cannot be named for legal reasons, died in a blood-splattered cot in August 2007.
He had suffered more than 50 injuries at the hands of his mother, her boyfriend and their lodger despite being on the child protection register and receiving 60 contacts with the authorities over eight months.
The trio will be sentenced at the Old Bailey in the spring.
Reader views (14)
At last common sense displayed by local government. Shoesmith is an incompetent who should never again be employed, not even stacking shelves in a supermarket
- Trevn, Abu Dhabi
She'll be fine. Look at Nasty Nick. She could pick up work doing Panto ... I can hear the boos and hissing already.
- Ben Farrell, London
Any other result would be a victory for lunacy.
- Andy Seaman, Bow, London
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Oh!........Don't worry Andy Seaman, this hasn't blown over yet!
You can bet your bottom dollar this person will try everything in the book to get her pound of flesh!
What I am concerned about is the Coucillor whom resigned, I bet he will surface again in a position of responsibility!
GERONIMO
- Geronimo, LONDON MIDDLESEX
Glad to know she lost the appeal but she probably make a claim against the council. I wish she's fought so hard for baby P.
- W Joseph, London, England
GOOD !
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke
She may well have a case. She was dismissed without a proper and thorough investigation and at the behest of the press. It was a kangaroo court of journalists and a government trying to save its bacon. Let's remember, she didn't kill Baby P - ghastly parents did.
However, she will never clear her name and she should have the good grace not to try and sue the taxpayer for her dismissal - in the end the buck stops with her, however unfair.
- Richard Williams, London UK
She should give back her salary,what a dreadful woman,arrogant,unfeeling..let us hope she takes this no further!!!
- Jean, LONDON, England
What a nerve that she should even appeal
- Anglo, Sussex UK
Secrecy,delay, appeals. Was this baby boy's life worth nothing?
- Peter Seekings-Foster, Mildenhall, Suffolk.
One bit of justice then.
- Rose, Tooting
Thank goodness. Common sense at last. Let's hope she gets nothing if she claims for breach of contract and unfair dismissal. The woman has no shame.
- Shirley, London
Thank God for that. How agogant can a person be!!!
- Lucian Meynell, London
I should think so too! What a joke!
- Louise, Croydon, Surrey
Any other result would be a victory for lunacy.
- Andy Seaman, Bow, London
