Hertfordshire County Council has vowed to stop using the services of a law firm whose Twitter account posted a series of “disrespectful” comments about parents of children with learning difficulties.
The managing director of a Baker Small, based in Milton Keynes, has apologised after a series of tweets which appeared to mock parents.
The account posted a series of messages over the weekend which appeared to gloat about cases.
One of them, accompanied by a photo of a smiling cat, said: “Some great tweets received today from people who just see a one-sided argument... just shared them with my cat...”
Another boasted of a great win, adding that it was “interesting” how parents persisted and “funny thing is parents think they won”, accompanied by a winking symbol.
The messages, which have now been deleted, prompted a string of parents to take the company to task online, with complaints made to local authorities which use its services and to the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
And now Hertfordshire County Council has revealed it is to sever ties with the law firm.
#bakersmall will no longer represent us on new cases. We will terminate our association with them at the earliest possible opportunity
— Herts County Council (@hertscc) June 15, 2016
Speaking on behalf of the council, Andrew Dawson said: "We were dismayed to read the totally unacceptable and insensitive comments made by Baker Small Solicitors on social media and are taking this matter very seriously.
"Baker Small will no longer be representing us on new cases. We will be terminating our association with them at the earliest possible opportunity without causing disruption to ongoing tribunal cases and unnecessary delays to families, or putting the council at risk of legal challenge."
The firm issued an apology in a statement from managing director Mark Small after the incident.
It said: “A number of tweets were posted on the Baker Small twitter feed which have caused a great deal of upset and offence.
“We unreservedly apologise for the offence caused and the nature of the tweets, which were removed.
“Full and appropriate action will be taken to address the matter.”
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