Peter Connelly, also known as ‘Baby P’, died in 2007 eight months of sustained abuse and Ms Shoesmith was fired live on TV in the aftermath of the case – she will speak at the Writing on the Wall Festival. Tony McDonough reports
Haringey’s former director of Haringey’s Children’s Services Sharon Shoesmith, who was fired live on TV following the death of a 17-month-old toddler, is to speak at Liverpool’s Writing on the Wall Festival (WoWFest).
Peter Connelly, also known as ‘Baby P’, died in 2007 after suffering more than 50 injuries during eight months of sustained abuse. His mother Tracey Connelly was later jailed along with her boyfriend and lodger.
The case led to a media and political storm during which Ms Shoesmith and her team of social workers were heavily criticised.
She was later fired live on TV by then Labour minister Ed Balls.
Ms Shoesmith won her case for unfair dismissal against Ed Balls, Ofsted and Haringey Council in the High Court, and has since returned to education and has written a book called ‘Learning from Baby P’.
She will speak about being in the eye of the media storm at the WoWFest event organised by The Women’s Organisation on Wednesday, May 17 at the organisation’s 54 St James Street headquarters.
The Women’s Organisation is organising two similar events as part of the festival.
Economist Vicky Pryce, who was convicted along with her of perverting the course of justice in 2013 after accepting driving licence penalty points which were incurred by her then husband former MP Chris Huhne will talk about her book, ‘Prisonomics’ on May 9.
And, Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall will share a platform with London-based poet, playwright and writer Sabrina Mahfouz and Dashni Morad, an Iraqi Kurdish- Dutch singer, television presenter and human rights activist at a ‘Rebel Women’ event on May 23.
Women’s Organisation chief executive Maggie O’Carroll will lead in-depth discussions with Vicky Pryce and Sharon Shoesmith.
WoWFest has expanded from a handful of events during one week in 2000, to around 30 events each year, during May.
Tickets are available for any of the three events through the Philharmonic Box Office, on 0151-709 3789.