Saturday, May 28, 2011

I do not do blame, says Shoesmith

Sharon ShoesmithSharon Shoesmith learned of her sacking in a live televised press conference by Ed Balls
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Ex-children's services director Sharon Shoesmith has said she was motivated by "justice not money" after winning a legal battle over Baby Peter's death.

Ms Shoesmith could receive more than £500,000 compensation after the appeal court said Haringey Council had been "procedurally unfair" in sacking her.

She told the Guardian newspaper she knew she had been "wronged".

Baby Peter Connelly, who had been seen 60 times by social services, was found dead in 2007 with over 50 injuries.

Addressing speculation that she could be in line for a substantial compensation pay-out, Ms Shoesmith said: "People will want to put noughts on it and all the rest of it, but I was never in it for the money. I wanted to win the case, I wanted the truth to be told.

Baby Peter timeline
Baby Peter Connelly
3 August 2007: One-year-old Peter Connelly (Baby P) found dead in his cot11 November 2008: Peter's mother, Tracey Connelly, boyfriend Steven Barker and brother Jason Owen convicted of causing his death13 November 2008: Ed Balls orders inquiry into role of the local authority, the health authority and the police8 December 2008: Ms Shoesmith is sacked with immediate effect22 May 2009: Connelly, Owen and Barker all get lengthy jail sentences15 September 2010: Ms Shoesmith asks a House of Commons committee why the police and health services had not also been made to take responsibility27 May 2011: The Court of Appeal rules in favour of Ms ShoesmithTimeline of Baby P case

"People say 'You are so strong where do you get all this from?' I'm not any different from anyone else. Because when you know you have been wronged... you will find the strength to keep at it, keep at it, keep at it.

"You are strong because you knew what happened. I always knew that I was being set up. Many people feel quite distraught about that. Many of the players in this case know what went on."

Ms Shoesmith learned of her sacking in December 2008 in a live televised press conference by the then Children's Secretary Ed Balls.

She said: "I was shocked. I probably didn't move out of the chair for three days. I was utterly stunned at what on earth had gone on. When I read the [Ofsted] report I questioned the evidence and I question it to this day."

Ms Shoesmith added: "I'm still staggered by how irresponsible the secretary of state was. He almost demonstrated his lack of knowledge and understanding of children's social care.

"This was his department yet he took steps that led it into complete disarray."

Ms Shoesmith spoke of suffering vilification following the Baby Peter tragedy.

"There were things like death threats, there were worries about possibly an arson attack," she said.

"To this day I have got a wire cage screwed to the back of my door lined in foil which will hold a fire if something burning came through."

Ms Shoesmith's appeal challenged a High Court ruling that cleared Ed Balls, the north London borough of Haringey and watchdog Ofsted of acting unlawfully.

The Court of Appeal judges dismissed her appeal against Ofsted.

The Department for Education and Haringey plan to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Mr Balls said he "strongly disagreed" with the judgement and added that his decision had been based on a report from independent inspectors.

Ofsted said its report on Ms Shoesmith's department, which identified "insufficient strategic leadership and management oversight", had been vindicated.

A Haringey Council spokesman said it was "deeply disappointed" by the judgement and stood by everything it had done.

After the hearing, Ms Shoesmith said she was "absolutely thrilled".

Seventeen-month-old Baby P, subsequently named as Peter Connelly, was found to have suffered fractured ribs and a broken back after months of abuse at home.

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

Peter had been seen by health and social services professionals from Haringey council 60 times in the eight months before he died.

This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-13582644

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