Baby P carers demand payouts

Six carers in the Baby P case who lost their jobs are demanding taxpayers' money in compensation.

Their extensive legal action follows an attempt in court by Haringey council to keep its role in the scandal out of the headlines for years to come.

Baby P's full name and those of the three people convicted over his death can be revealed today for the first time after a court order granting them anonymity expired.

Peter Connelly was 17 months old when he died in a blood-spattered cot in his Tottenham home after months of abuse from his mother Tracey Connelly, 28, and her lover Steven Barker, 33. It can also be disclosed that the third defendant, Jason Owen, 37, is Barker's brother.

Ms Shoesmith is set for a High Court battle with Schools Secretary Ed Balls, who ordered Haringey to remove her from her £130,000-a-year job as director of children's services in the wake of the scandal.

She lost her job in the furore over the council's failure to protect Baby Peter when Mr Balls ordered her to be removed from her post. Haringey council subsequently sacked her without notice or compensation.

Four of Ms Shoesmith's Haringey colleagues have also appealed against their sackings, while the doctor who failed to spot 17-month-old Peter's broken back is suing for unfair dismissal. If all their cases are successful at tribunal, the six individuals could share up to £1.4 million in compensation.

They have been criticised by Lynne Featherstone, Lib-Dem MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, who said the carers should not receive compensation.

"It is their right to appeal but people will be shocked to find that those who were in the position of responsibility and accountability for what happened to Baby Peter appear not to want to take that responsibility," she said.

"The only thing that will keep children safe is when people feel that their jobs are on the line."

Ms Shoesmith claims that Mr Balls was unduly influenced by media pressure and has launched judicial review proceedings in the High Court to test whether the decision exceeded his legal powers.

A three-day hearing is due to begin on 7 October, as the High Court fast-tracks the case.

Ms Shoesmith has also lodged an employment tribunal claim for unfair dismissal and sex discrimination against Haringey council. Legal experts believe she could win more than £1 million if the claims are decided in her favour.

Her case states that "she was treated less favourably by the council than a man would have been in similar circumstances".

Dr Al-Zayyat was sacked from Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital and suspended by the General Medical Council pending an investigation.

Ms Shoesmith's £80,000-a-year deputy Cecilia Hitchen and three other Haringey child protection workers who were fired without compensation are also appealing.

Ms Hitchen was sacked for "loss of trust and confidence" after inspectors published a damning report on the children's services department she was running with Ms Shoesmith.

Baby Peter's social worker, Maria Ward, was dismissed for gross misconduct after it emerged that she saw him at least nine times while he was on the child protection register.

She failed to spot that Peter's injuries had been covered up with chocolate and said he seemed "well" four days before he died.

Gillie Christou, Ms Ward's supervisor, and Clive Preece, who was head of safeguarding at Haringey, are also appealing against their dismissals for gross misconduct. Both played key roles in the decision to send Peter back to live with his mother instead of placing him with a foster family.

Maria Ward
Baby Peter's social worker. She saw him at least nine times in the eight months he was on the child protection register. Said Peter seemed "well" four days before he died and failed to spot injuries. Sacked for gross misconduct and suspended from practice by General Social Work Council. Now appealing against her dismissal.

Dr Sabah Al-Zayyat
Paediatric consultant who failed to spot Baby P's broken back and ribs two days before his death. She decided not to conduct a full examination because he was "cranky". Dismissed from Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital and suspended by the General Medical Council. Dr Al-Zayyat is suing the hospital for unfair dismissal.