Baby P’s real father and sacked carers demand compensation
The biological father of Baby Peter has lodged a compensation claim against Haringey Council for failing to protect his son.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is seeking £200,000 in compensation, although he could be able to claim twice as much according to legal experts. He has taken early retirement from work since his son’s death in 2007.
The personal injury claim is bad news for Haringey Council, who are also facing a multimillion pound compensation payout to the six carers who lost their jobs for failing to protect the toddler. The former staff claim they were unfairly dismissed for gross misconduct and are appealing against the council’s decision to sack them.
Sharon Shoesmith, the former head of children’s services, was sacked last December. She could be in line to receive the highest amount of compensation if her claim is successful, at around £1 million. If all six of the carers’ claims are successful, the council could be forced to pay out a maximum of £1.4m.
Peter Connelly was 17 months old when he died in his home after months of abuse from his mother Tracey Connelly, 28, and her lover Steven Baker, 33, whose identities have only recently revealed to the public after a court order granting them anonymity expired. A third defendant, Jason Owen, 37, Baker’s brother, was also named.