Baby P children's chief loses sacking battle

Former children’s services chief Sharon Shoesmith today lost her UK High Court battle over her sacking following the death of Baby P.

Mr Justice Foskett, sitting in London, rejected accusations that her removal by Children’s Secretary Ed Balls was procedurally flawed, unfair and unlawful.

Ms Shoesmith said her career had been ruined by a media witch-hunt and “flagrant breach of the rules of natural justice”.

After Mr Balls’s decision, the 57-year-old was sacked from her £130,000-a-year post as director of children’s services at Haringey Council in north London in December 2008 following a damning report by Ofsted inspectors.