Peter Connelly died in August 2007 after suffering months of abuse A pair of social workers who lost their jobs after the killing of Baby Peter have failed in their unfair dismissal claim, it has emerged.
Toddler Peter Connelly died of abuse in Haringey, north London, in 2007.
Gillie Christou and Maria Ward argued they were sacked unfairly by Haringey Council after the public outcry about the boy’s death.
But a tribunal found the authority acted reasonably because of serious failings in the care they provided.
Baby Peter was found dead in a blood-splattered cot with more than 50 injuries.
His mother Tracey Connelly was jailed after admitting causing or allowing his death.
Her boyfriend Steven Barker and their lodger, Jason Owens, were found guilty at the Old Bailey of the same charge.
Mrs Christou had argued both she and Ms Ward had been sacked to appease the press and politicians.
She said: “Haringey were wrong to make us scapegoats and to add our names to the list of Tracey Connelly’s victims.”
The pair admitted failing to ensure Peter was visited regularly enough, failing to keep adequate records and losing contact with the family at one stage.
‘Poor professional judgment’
The employment tribunal panel conceded there “may have been media pressure and those involved had in mind the tragic death”.
But it found that “poor professional judgment” was responsible for both sackings.
The panel was ruling on whether Haringey Council was right to dismiss the pair’s initial internal appeal against losing their jobs.
A statement from the tribunal concluded: “It is not in our view the case that those involved in the appeal panels bowed to the pressure to which we have referred.”
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