More Sharon Shoesmith

I don't know the truth about Shoesmith, who was sacked as Director of Children's Services for Haringey following the death of baby P - and neither does anyone else. There's currently a court case about it. Shoesmith is claiming that she was deliberately targeted - to make Ed Balls look strong and decisive rather than the smarmy prat he so clearly is, no doubt - and that Ofsted were pressurised into denouncing her (see 11 November post).

Now David Bell, permanent secretary, Department for Children, Schools and Families, has written to the 'Guardian' (Letters, 5 April) stating that Ofsted, being an independent inspectorate, could not have been influenced by ministers when it condemned Shoesmith following the death of "Baby P". Could this by any chance be the same David Bell who, as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, was previously head of Ofsted? What a small world this is!

In reality, everyone who has followed Ofsted's grisly history knows how these things work. Balls had made very clear what he wanted to happen and, as in several previous cases, the independence of Ofsted melted like snow falling on hot bricks. I just hope that the independence of the courts proves more robust.