'Baby P Council Boss Loses High Court Sacking Battle'

Former children's services chief Sharon Shoesmith was lawfully sacked over the death of Baby Peter, the High Court has ruled.

Mr Justice Foskett rejected accusations that her axing by Children's Secretary Ed Balls was procedurally flawed and unlawful.

He stressed that Mr Balls' decision "cannot be impugned on the grounds of unfairness".

Read the full judgment here...

Ms Shoesmith was sacked from her £130,000-a-year post as director of children's services at Haringey Council in north London following a damning report by Ofsted inspectors into Baby Peter's death.
The toddler died in August 2007 after suffering more than 40 injuries during a campaign of abuse at his home, despite being on Haringey's "at risk" register.

Baby P died despite dozens of visits from social workers

His death caused mass public outrage, and Ms Shoesmith claimed her career had been ruined by a media witch-hunt and "flagrant breach of the rules of natural justice".
The 57-year-old was not at the High Court in London to learn her fate, but can still appeal against the decision.
Sky's David Crabtree, outside the court, said: "She believed that the authorities had to find a scapegoat and she was it, and that's why she brought the case.
"She was very, very confident she would win."
Ms Shoesmith's lawyers said they were "disappointed" by the decision but welcomed the finding that Haringey acted unfairly in dismissing her.
Haringey Council welcomed the judgment, saying it continued to believe Ms Shoesmith was fairly dismissed.
Mr Balls said it was clear from the judge's decision that he had acted in a "proper and right way" to remove Ms Shoesmith.
And Ofsted Chief Inspector Christine Gilbert said she was pleased the regulator's actions had been "vindicated".


She added: "Ofsted takes its role in inspecting the protection arrangements for vulnerable children very seriously."
Liberal Democrat politician Lynne Featherstone said Ms Shoesmith's position was "totally untenable" but argued that her case had exposed evidence of a culture of "cover-up and secrecy".
Ms Featherstone, who is seeking re-election as MP for Hornsey & Wood Green, in Haringey, called again for a full public inquiry into the tragedy.
She said: "From this case we see further evidence that the culture of cover-up and secrecy goes right to the top of the Labour Government.
"Key facts have only come to light because of this court case, facts that the public are entitled to know.
"More than ever it shows the urgent need for a full public inquiry to ensure that we get to the bottom of the failure to protect Baby Peter."

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Article/201004115615204

So glad she lost her appeal but she will be taking it further! Fuming that she is able to do that!

I am also horrified that she is allowed to appeal this decision - and I support this court's decision.