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Baby Peter case: Sharon Shoesmith agrees six-figure payout Baby Peter case: Sharon Shoesmith agrees six-figure payout
(35 minutes later)
The former head of Haringey children's services has agreed a six-figure payout - which could be up to £600,000 - for unfair dismissal, the BBC understands. The former head of Haringey children's services has agreed a six-figure payout for unfair dismissal, which could cost the council up to £600,000, BBC Newsnight understands.
In 2011, Sharon Shoesmith, who earned £133,000 a year, won a ruling that she had been unfairly sacked after Ofsted published a damning report about the death of Baby Peter. In 2011, Sharon Shoesmith, who earned £133,000 a year, won a ruling that she was unfairly sacked after a damning report about the death of Baby Peter.
Peter Connelly, who was 17 months old, died in 2007 after months of abuse.Peter Connelly, who was 17 months old, died in 2007 after months of abuse.
It emerged the family had been visited numerous times before his death.It emerged the family had been visited numerous times before his death.
The boy had more than 50 injuries, despite being on the at-risk register and receiving 60 visits from social workers, police and health professionals over eight months.The boy had more than 50 injuries, despite being on the at-risk register and receiving 60 visits from social workers, police and health professionals over eight months.
Three people were jailed in 2009, including his mother.Three people were jailed in 2009, including his mother.
The Court of Appeal concluded Ms Shoesmith had been "unfairly scapegoated" and her removal from office in December 2008 by the then Children's Secretary Ed Balls had been "intrinsically unfair and unlawful".The Court of Appeal concluded Ms Shoesmith had been "unfairly scapegoated" and her removal from office in December 2008 by the then Children's Secretary Ed Balls had been "intrinsically unfair and unlawful".
'Indefensible''Indefensible'
Now Haringey Council has reached an agreement over compensation with Ms Shoesmith.Now Haringey Council has reached an agreement over compensation with Ms Shoesmith.
Sources have told BBC Newsnight she will be paid a six-figure sum, with one saying it could be up to £600,000, although others say it is less than this. One government source has told BBC Newsnight that the cost to Haringey Council could be as high as £600,000, although that figure reflects the total payment and Ms Shoesmith is expected to receive a lower sum.
The exact figure may not emerge as there are confidentiality clauses preventing its disclosure but even the top figure quoted to Newsnight would be significantly short of the £1m figure it had been reported she was seeking. The exact figure may not emerge as there are confidentiality clauses preventing its disclosure but it will be significantly short of the £1m figure it had been reported she was seeking.
But it would appear the package is more than the minimum suggested by senior judge Lord Neuberger in a 2011 ruling in the Court of Appeal. He suggested she was entitled to a minimum of three months' salary plus pensions contributions.But it would appear the package is more than the minimum suggested by senior judge Lord Neuberger in a 2011 ruling in the Court of Appeal. He suggested she was entitled to a minimum of three months' salary plus pensions contributions.
Three months' salary would have been £33,000.Three months' salary would have been £33,000.
Lord Neuberger had suggested the Department for Education should contribute to any payout for Ms Shoesmith by her employer Haringey Council. A spokesman for Haringey Council said: "Following the decision of the Court of Appeal in favour of Ms Shoesmith, and the court's direction that the parties seek to resolve the issue of compensation, the London Borough of Haringey and Ms Shoesmith have reached a settlement in this case.
His judgement said: "It would be entirely appropriate for Haringey to seek a voluntary contribution from the Secretary of State whose unlawful directions gave rise to the problems." "The terms of the settlement are confidential. We are unable to comment further on this matter."
It is understood that the department will meet a proportion of the payout, the details of which were agreed by Haringay Council in the past few days, but an exact figure has yet to be agreed.
BBC Newsnight also understands that the council and Ms Shoesmith have signed a confidentiality clause preventing disclosure of the total.
'Gove furious''Gove furious'
Lord Neuberger had suggested the Department for Education should contribute to any payout for Ms Shoesmith by her employer Haringey Council.
His judgement said: "It would be entirely appropriate for Haringey to seek a voluntary contribution from the secretary of state whose unlawful directions gave rise to the problems."
It is understood that the department will meet a proportion of the payout, the details of which were agreed by Haringey Council in the past few days, but an exact figure has yet to be agreed.
One source told Newsnight that Education Secretary Michael Gove was "furious" about the clause, believing it to be "indefensible".One source told Newsnight that Education Secretary Michael Gove was "furious" about the clause, believing it to be "indefensible".
Lawyers representing Haringey Council and Ms Shoesmith had been in lengthy discussions regarding a payout since the May 2011 ruling.Lawyers representing Haringey Council and Ms Shoesmith had been in lengthy discussions regarding a payout since the May 2011 ruling.
Ms Shoesmith had been due to return to court later this week, seeking a declaration that she remained employed by Haringey Council.Ms Shoesmith had been due to return to court later this week, seeking a declaration that she remained employed by Haringey Council.
That action has now been dropped and the settlement reached between the two parties is understood to be a final one.That action has now been dropped and the settlement reached between the two parties is understood to be a final one.
Peter Connelly's mother, Tracey Connelly, her boyfriend, Steven Barker, and his brother, Jason Owen, were jailed in May 2009 for causing or allowing the child's death.Peter Connelly's mother, Tracey Connelly, her boyfriend, Steven Barker, and his brother, Jason Owen, were jailed in May 2009 for causing or allowing the child's death.
Earlier this month it was reported that Connelly was due to be released from prison on parole.Earlier this month it was reported that Connelly was due to be released from prison on parole.