Baby P: Sharon Shoesmith fails in appeal against Haringey sacking

Former Haringey Council children’s services director Sharon Shoesmith has failed in her appeal against her dismissal from the authority.

Shoesmith was removed from her post in December by children’s secretary Ed Balls, after a joint area review sparked by the Baby P case revealed serious leadership and management failings. She remained on full pay until a week later, when she was formally sacked by Haringey Council without compensation.

Last week, it was revealed that she had decided to appeal – however, following a hearing, her case was rejected.

Reacting to the result, Lynne Featherstone, Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, in Haringey, said: “Everyone is entitled to due process and I welcome the findings of the appeal hearing.  It confirms what we suspected – the responsibility for letting down Baby P goes right to the top.”

However, Robert Gorrie, the leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group on the Labour-run council, said he expected Shoesmith to take the case to an employment tribunal.

Related articles

Baby P: Sharon Shoemith to appeal against Haringey dismissal
Expert guide to Baby P case