Balls influenced by media ‘witch hunt’ in Shoesmith sacking

The High Court has heard that the children’s secretary, Ed Balls, was unduly influenced by a ‘media witch hunt’ when he decided to sack Sharon Shoesmith.

The former head of children’s services at Haringey LBC claims she was unlawfully ousted following the public outcry over the case of Baby P.

She is seeking a judicial review into her removal and her lawyers yesterday said that the ‘uninformed prejudice’ of tabloid newspapers and ‘the media storm and witch hunt’ were given too much regard by Mr Balls as part of his decision.

They also argue that he was ‘wrongly influenced’ by a heated exchange on Prime Minister’s Questions when David Cameron attacked the Government over the case.

Ms Shoesmith said she felt suicidal and would never be able to work again following her treatment.

Lawyers for Mr Balls said he had to take the action he did in order to restore the public’s faith in the social care system nationwide and insisted the move was not a ‘knee-jerk’ reaction to media pressure.