Shoesmith granted leave to appeal sacking ruling

The High Court has granted Sharon Shoesmith leave to appeal over her sacking as the head of children's services at Haringey Council after the death of Baby Peter.

She has also had a claim for costs made against her reduced from £350,000 to £10,000.

In April she lost the first round of a legal battle to overturn her dismissal.

But Mr Justice Foskett has now ruled that she can challenge his judgment in the Court of Appeal.

17-month old Peter Connolly died in August 2007 with more than 50 injuries, despite receiving 60 visits from social workers, doctors and police over the final eight months of his life.

His mother, her partner and a lodger were all jailed for causing or allowing his death.