Blog: Ed Balls was right over Sharon Shoesmith

Wednesday 22nd September 2010, 12:30PM BST.

I rarely write the following: I agree with Ed Balls.

But when he was Children’s Minister in the last government and sacked social services boss Sharon Shoesmith, I backed him to the hilt writes Shirley Tart.

She was in charge at Haringey Council during that dreadful time when baby Peter was being systematically abused, eventually died and numerous chances for social services to save him, died with him.

For her department’s failings which contributed to one of our worst episodes of child abuse, she was booted out of her £133,000 a year job.

Goes with the territory, that. You get the title, perks and mega money, if your staff fail, and in this case so dismally fail a child, you also get the chop.

But thick-skinned Ms Shoesmith went along to the High Court pleading unfair dismissal. Good old Mr Justice Foskett sent her packing.

No wonder a row broke out recently when she was said to be giving advice to MPs on child safety. And at an inquiry on the topic, she now says the response to Peter’s death and sacking people because of it, had been absurd.

All of which confirms that Mr Balls has never been more correct in any reaction.

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