Baby P Scandal Boss Wins Court Appeal

The Northern Ireland woman at the heart of the 'Baby P' child abuse tragedy has won a Court of Appeal battle over her sacking - and is likely to win substantial damages as well as around £500,000 in back pay and pension contributions.

The Newtownabbey woman and former King's Park Primary School pupil Sharon Shoesmith was sacked as Director of Children's Services at Haringey Council in December 2008, after the death of 17-month-old 'Baby P', later identified as Peter Connelly.

Peter was found dead in August 2007. His mother, her partner and a lodger were all jailed for causing or allowing his death.

She was dismissed from her job after an inquiry but has now been able to show in her appeal, that her dismissal was legally flawed.

Sharon Shoesmith is reported to have said that she is "thrilled" at the news after she challenged the High Court ruling that cleared Ed Balls, former Children's Secretary, and Haringey Council for acting unlawfully.

A Haringey Council spokesman said it was "deeply disappointed" by the judgement and said they plan to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Toddler Peter Connelly died, in Haringey, north London in August 2007, after suffering months of abuse.

He was found with more than 50 injuries over an eight-month period, during which he was visited 60 times by the authorities.

The Ofsted report highlighted failings in Ms Shoesmith's department.

Ms Shoesmith's appeal against watchdog Ofsted was dismissed.

Her 35-year career ended in December 2008, when she was sacked over failings in the case.

At a hearing in March, Ms Shoesmith had asked Lord Neuberger, Master of the Rolls, sitting with Lord Justice Maurice Kay and Lord Justice Stanley Burnton, to rule that her sacking without compensation was so legally flawed as to be null and void.

Her lawyers had argued that she was the victim of "a flagrant breach of natural justice" after she lost her £133,000-a-year post amid a media storm.

Ms Shoesmith also argued she was entitled to her full salary and pension from Haringey up to the present day.

However, Ms Shoestring was initially said to have been ultimately responsible for the massive failings at Haringey - especially so as the victim, young Peter, had been seen by health and social services professionals from Haringey 60 times in the eight months before he died.

(BMcC/GK)