FORMER York council officer Sharon Shoesmith has won her Court of Appeal battle over her sacking following the Baby P tragedy.

Ms Shoesmith, who worked for City of York Council in the 1990s, was the director of Haringey’s children’s services at the time of the Baby P case and challenged a High Court ruling that cleared regulator Ofsted, former children’s secretary Ed Balls and Haringey Council of acting unlawfully.

She 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.

Ms Shoesmith said after the hearing: “I’m over the moon. Absolutely thrilled. I am very relieved to have won my appeal and for recognition I was treated unfairly and unlawfully.” She said the sorrow of Peter’s death would “stay with me for the rest of my life”.

Ms Shoesmith was sacked in 2008 after a report exposed failings in her department.