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Dismissed Baby P chief 'suicidal' Dismissed Baby P chief 'suicidal'
(42 minutes later)
The former director of children's services who lost her job over the Baby Peter case has been left financially ruined and suicidal, a court has heard. The director of children's services who lost her job over the Baby Peter case has been left financially ruined and suicidal, the High Court has heard.
Sharon Shoesmith argues she was treated unfairly and illegally when removed from her Haringey Council post on the children's secretary's instructions.Sharon Shoesmith argues she was treated unfairly and illegally when removed from her Haringey Council post on the children's secretary's instructions.
A judicial review of her sacking heard she was a victim of a "flagrant breach of the rules of natural justice".A judicial review of her sacking heard she was a victim of a "flagrant breach of the rules of natural justice".
Peter Connolly suffered over 50 injuries by the time of his death.Peter Connolly suffered over 50 injuries by the time of his death.
The 17-month-old - initially known as Baby P - died in Haringey, north London, in August 2007.The 17-month-old - initially known as Baby P - died in Haringey, north London, in August 2007.
His death came while he was under the care of his mother Tracey Connolly, 28, her partner Steven Barker, 33, and Barker's brother Jason Owen, 37, who were all jailed. No compensation
His death came at the hands of his mother Tracey Connolly, 28, her partner Steven Barker, 33, and Barker's brother Jason Owen, 37, who were all jailed.
As the details of Peter's short life were made public, along with the missed opportunities to save him, Sharon Shoesmith became a target for public anger.
WHO IS SHARON SHOESMITH? Sharon Shoesmith's name is synonymous with the case of Baby Peter.WHO IS SHARON SHOESMITH? Sharon Shoesmith's name is synonymous with the case of Baby Peter.
His death, after months of abuse, caused a national outcry because he was on Haringey Council's at-risk register.His death, after months of abuse, caused a national outcry because he was on Haringey Council's at-risk register.
The former head of children's services in the borough was removed on the orders of Schools Secretary Ed Balls.The former head of children's services in the borough was removed on the orders of Schools Secretary Ed Balls.
The 56-year-old claims she has been vilified by the press and made a scapegoat.The 56-year-old claims she has been vilified by the press and made a scapegoat.
More than one million people signed the Sun newspaper's petition calling for heads to roll. She says the media pressure played a role in her dismissal.More than one million people signed the Sun newspaper's petition calling for heads to roll. She says the media pressure played a role in her dismissal.
Ms Shoesmith has also been criticised for defending her department's actions and not apologising after the trial, but she claims she did say sorry.Ms Shoesmith has also been criticised for defending her department's actions and not apologising after the trial, but she claims she did say sorry.
However she has had her supporters - more than 60 head teachers wrote a letter calling her "an outstanding public servant".However she has had her supporters - more than 60 head teachers wrote a letter calling her "an outstanding public servant".
In a BBC interview, she said the way ministers handled the Baby Peter affair was "breathtakingly reckless". She also said she had contemplated suicide.In a BBC interview, she said the way ministers handled the Baby Peter affair was "breathtakingly reckless". She also said she had contemplated suicide.
As the shocking details of Baby Peter's short life were made public along with the missed opportunities to save him, Sharon Shoesmith became a target for public anger.
The toddler had been on Haringey's child protection register at the time of his death.The toddler had been on Haringey's child protection register at the time of his death.
The Serious Case Review Ms Shoesmith chaired into the case found lessons needed to be learned but that none of her staff deserved to lose their jobs.The Serious Case Review Ms Shoesmith chaired into the case found lessons needed to be learned but that none of her staff deserved to lose their jobs.
But in December 2008, following a damning report into Shoesmith's department by Ofsted inspectors, children's secretary Ed Balls removed her from her post. But in December 2008, following a damning report into Ms Shoesmith's department by Ofsted inspectors, Children's Secretary Ed Balls removed her from her post.
A week later she was dismissed by a panel of Haringey councillors without compensation.A week later she was dismissed by a panel of Haringey councillors without compensation.
She attempted to overturn the decision to sack her but a panel of councillors rejected her appeal. She tried to overturn the decision to sack her but a panel of councillors rejected her appeal.
It has prompted her to launch the judicial review of her dismissal at the High Court, arguing Haringey Council, Ofsted and Mr Balls treated her unfairly and illegally. This prompted Ms Shoesmith to launch the judicial review of her dismissal at the High Court, arguing Haringey Council, Ofsted and Mr Balls treated her unfairly and illegally.
James Maurici, appearing for Ms Shoesmith, described how she was still recovering from post-traumatic shock.James Maurici, appearing for Ms Shoesmith, described how she was still recovering from post-traumatic shock.
He said her dismissal had left her shocked, ruined her career and led her to thoughts of suicide. He said her dismissal had ruined her career and led her to thoughts of suicide.
He told Mr Justice Foskett: "As matters stand the simple fact is the claimant will never work again.He told Mr Justice Foskett: "As matters stand the simple fact is the claimant will never work again.
"She has been financially ruined and her health has been very seriously affected.""She has been financially ruined and her health has been very seriously affected."
Mr Maurici accused Mr Balls of "convicting the claimant with no opportunity whatever to be heard".Mr Maurici accused Mr Balls of "convicting the claimant with no opportunity whatever to be heard".
Mr Balls had said in press conferences on several occasions he judged Ms Shoesmith "not to be fit to hold office".Mr Balls had said in press conferences on several occasions he judged Ms Shoesmith "not to be fit to hold office".
Prejudicial comments
It was "extraordinary" how the secretary of state had convicted the claimant with no opportunity whatever to be heard - "there is no doubt that is the case", said Mr Maurici.It was "extraordinary" how the secretary of state had convicted the claimant with no opportunity whatever to be heard - "there is no doubt that is the case", said Mr Maurici.
Nor was Ms Shoesmith given an opportunity to see the Ofsted report or details of the oral presentation given by Ofsted inspectors, on which Mr Balls had acted. 'Prejudicial' comments
She also had no chance to challenge "a number of highly prejudicial comments made by Ofsted inspectors to the Secretary of State in the course of that meeting". Nor was Ms Shoesmith given an opportunity to see the Ofsted report, or details of the oral presentation given by Ofsted inspectors, on which Mr Balls had acted.
The report Ofsted produced was itself the result of an inspection, which was not carried out in accordance with Ofsted's arrangements for such inspections, said Mr Maurici. She also had no chance to challenge "a number of highly prejudicial comments made by Ofsted inspectors to the secretary of state in the course of that meeting".
Connolly, Barker and Owen received minimum prison terms of five, 12 and three years respectively for causing or allowing Peter's death. He said she had been deeply shocked and saddened by Baby Peter's death and contrary to what had been reported, Ms Shoesmith had on numerous occasions said how sorry and distressed she was about Baby P's death, and had not refused to apologise to the child's father.
They were all denied leave to appeal against their sentences. Mr Maurici said Ms Shoesmith's performance as director of children's services had been the subject of positive appraisals since 2005, when she took up the position.
In 2006, a review involving Ofsted and the Healthcare Commission rated Haringey's children's services overall as three, out of a possible four, and its child social care as two, or "adequate".
Connolly, Barker and Owen received minimum prison terms of five, 12 and three years respectively for causing or allowing Peter's death. They were all denied leave to appeal against their sentences.
The hearing continues.