Shoesmith payout

[RyeSloan]

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24723404

While I understand that the thought of someone who was ultimately responsible for the department that oversaw such a tragedy getting such a payout is rather galling you have to wonder why Ed is not even apologising for the way he went about dismissing Shoesmith....ultimately his actions have cost the tax payer over half a million quid!

[IndieHibby]

Agreed. The number of politicians I heard confusing the reason for the payout with the baby p case was staggering. They'll say anything to sound good and appeal to public opinion.

Balls said it left a bad taste in his mouth. Considering it was his fault, I consider that an unwise statement to make in public.

[Phil D. Rolls]

Was she unfairly dismissed or not? Balls seems to be making out he was doing the right thing, clearly a tribunal thinks otherwise. The pay out must be based on her loss of earnings, so why even comment on the sum?

[Killiehibbie]

Was she unfairly dismissed or not? Balls seems to be making out he was doing the right thing, clearly a tribunal thinks otherwise. The pay out must be based on her loss of earnings, so why even comment on the sum?
It seems to be the way she was removed rather than the reason for her removal that has caused the problem.

[RyeSloan]

It seems to be the way she was removed rather than the reason for her removal that has caused the problem.

Exactly.

It would appear due process was not followed...even if there is overwhelming evidence of malpractice or inadequate performance employment law still needs to be followed.

For that not to have happened and for that to cost the tax payer so much money should be the story here. Not a bit of contrition from the aptly named Balls.

[EH6 Hibby]

It seems to be the way she was removed rather than the reason for her removal that has caused the problem.

I would agree with this.

Personally I think she should have done the right thing and resigned after what happened. I realise that it wasn't her that personally let Peter Connelly down, but she was head of the department that did let him down and as such the buck stops with her.

Les McEwan resigned from his post in Edinburgh after the Caleb Ness case, he had nothing to to with the case personally but he recognised that ultimately it was his responsibility. Sharon Shoesmith should have done the same.

[Phil D. Rolls]

It seems to be the way she was removed rather than the reason for her removal that has caused the problem.

So it's been procedural. So many dismissals fail because procedure wasn't followed to the letter. Sorry, but its a Balls up, by the look of it.

[Jonnyboy]

Balls claims it was Haringey Council dismissed her, not him.

His claim is that he used his power to take the status of Director of Children's Services away and the council then dismissed her

Either way, £600k is a staggering sum

[Phil D. Rolls]

Balls claims it was Haringey Council dismissed her, not him.

His claim is that he used his power to take the status of Director of Children's Services away and the council then dismissed her

Either way, £600k is a staggering sum

What is staggering is that it is probably only 5 years wages to the likes of her.