Baby P case disciplinary hearings 'flawed'

Gillie Christou and Maria Ward were eventually sacked by the north London authority for gross misconduct after a second investigation found they committed serious failings in their protection of vulnerable baby Peter Connolly, who died in August 2007 after months of abuse.

The pair's mistakes were only exposed after Ms Shoesmith was herself dismissed as Haringey's director of children's services over the scandal, the tribunal was told.

Ms Ward, 40, was baby Peter Connelly's nominated social worker and Mrs Christou, 52, was her team manager. They claim they were unfairly dismissed following public outcry.

The pair both received written warnings after undergoing internal disciplinary proceedings under Ms Shoesmith's command in May 2008.

But Stuart Young, an assistant chief executive at Haringey Council, told the tribunal that graver failings they made in Peter's care were known to senior managers at the time.

"This process was closely managed by Ms Shoesmith," he said in a witness statement. "It was only when I looked at the cases following Ms Shoesmith's dismissal in December 2008 that I became aware of the deeply flawed nature of the disciplinary investigations and hearings that had taken place."

The pair are the latest professionals involved in the Baby P case to claim they were unfairly punished for the toddler's death.

Ms Shoesmith, from Mirfield, near Huddersfield, has taken her appeal against her sacking to the High Court. She lost the first round of her challenge but was then granted leave to appeal.