THE Department of Education is seeking an appeal against a ruling that a former York council officer was unfairly sacked following the Baby P tragedy.
Sharon Shoesmith, who worked for City of York Council in the 1990s, was the director of Haringey Council’s children’s services at the time of the case, was dismissed by then Children’s Secretary Ed Balls and her employers and learned of her sacking in a televised press conference. Last month, Court of Appeal judges said the decision was “procedurally unfair”, with a leading employment lawyer saying she could receive as much as £1 million if the ruling is not overturned. A DfE spokesman said: “The Government thinks it was right in principle for Sharon Shoesmith to be removed from her post as director of children’s services.
“Our initial application to appeal has been turned down by the Court of Appeal. We have now filed an application for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.”
Baby Peter Connelly, who had been seen 60 times by social services, was found dead in 2007 with more than 50 injuries.
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