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MPs’ adviser trained Haringey on media
Aline Nassif and Peter Dominiczak26.05.09
A media consultant involved in MPs' expenses scandal was paid £5,000 by Haringey council officials to advise them on their disastrous public response to the death of Baby P.
Scarlett MccGwire was hired by Harriet Harman, Ed Miliband and Douglas Alexander for consultancy services including writing speeches at a cost of £20,000 to the taxpayer between 2005 and 2007.
She was also brought in by Haringey last year to give officials, including former director of children's services Sharon Shoesmith, training to support them in dealing with the media. The council was savagely criticised for its response to the fall-out over the death of Baby Peter.
Ms Shoesmith refused to apologise and was later sacked in disgrace. Three council managers and a social worker were also dismissed for their alleged failure to save the life of the 17-month-old boy who died on August 3 2007 at his north London home after suffering months of abuse.
Haringey council today confirmed that Ms MccGwire had been hired in a PR role. Ms MccGwire refused to answer questions last night at her home in Tufnell Park on her employment by the MPs and Haringey council.
Reader views (6)
Labour's 101 on how to cover your arse. Funniest book this year.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
This isn't a great advertisement for this PR person, is it. Even though she's got two name-checks here, I wouldn't expect the phone to start ringing.
- Bloke, London
What a waste of money. The adviser made a couple of fundamental mistakes: Shoesmith appears even more arrogant now than she did when first photographed - and she continues to deny any responsibility for baby Peter's death. The cape and the purple hair make her look like a female Dracula.
- R.F., Yorks, UK
Deadbeat Labour !!
- Nick Holland, glasgow
Further proof of this Councils corruption and incompetence
- Mike, London England
honesty is the best poilcy .... just tell it like it is. we don't need snappy sound bites and pre-concidered body language. however, Shoesmith needs new frames, and that Dracula cape has got to go.
- Ben Farrell, London
