Sacked Baby P pair lose job appeals

Published on 13/03/2013 00:00

Two of Baby P’s social workers have lost an appeal against being sacked over the child’s death.

Maria Ward and Gillie Christou claimed they were unjustly dismissed by Haringey Council in north London after 17-month-old Peter Connelly died nearly six years ago.

An employment tribunal concluded in 2010 the council acted reasonably in dismissing the two women because of serious failings. Ms Ward, Peter’s social worker from February 2007 until his death in August 2007, and Mrs Christou, took their claim to the Court of Appeal, where yesterday Lord Justice Laws, Lord Justice Elias and Lord Justice McCombe rejected their arguments.

Peter suffered more than 50 injuries despite being on an at-risk register and receiving 60 visits from social workers, police and health professionals.