Shoesmith ‘not in it for the money’

Sharon Shoesmith has said the legal challenge over her sacking after the Baby P tragedy was not about the money. The comments from the former director of children’s services at Haringey Council come amid talk of a huge compensation payout after the Court of Appeal ruled she was unfairly sacked. A leading employment lawyer said Ms Shoesmith could be in-line for a payout of up to £1 million if the ruling is not overturned. Meanwhile, Ms Shoesmith also hit out at the actions of former education secretary Ed Balls. She called his actions “irresponsible” and said he led his department into “complete disarray”. In an interview with the Guardian, 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 never discussed money. I wanted the truth to be told.” Ms Shoesmith’s career was left in ruins after she was removed from her post in December 2008 by Mr Balls and subsequently sacked by the north London council, which said it had lost trust in her. Ms Shoesmith told the newspaper: “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.” The axe fell after regulator Ofsted published a damning report in the wake of 17-month-old Peter Connelly’s death, exposing failings in her department. Lawyers argued that Ms Shoesmith, 58, had been the victim of “a flagrant breach of natural justice” and that she had been driven from her £133,000-a-year post in December 2008 by a media witch hunt and political pressure. Our Employment team provides advice on Employment Tribunals. Call us on 08456 381381 or email employment@ibblaw.co.uk.