A MOTHER fighting for her disabled son’s future wants the solicitor who made a series of “abhorrent” tweets to be barred from her hearing.

Barnet Council has dropped Baker Small after lawyer, Mark Small, gloated about wins and mocked parents on social media – but will see out its remaining ten contracts.

The firm acts on behalf of councils to challenge parents who want funding or a school place for their disabled child.

Janet Willicott will face the lawyer in September as the authority try to stop  her from home-schooling her son, Bastian, and instead send him to Oak Lodge School in Whetstone.

The 12-year-old has a rare genetic disease which means he struggles to process information and cannot read.

Ms Willicott, who lives in Edgware, said: “I fell silent when I saw the tweets. I couldn’t believe that this man, who is employed by the council, could act in an abhorrent and distasteful way.

“I am not fearful of him but I am fearing his diabolical and tactical approach to a win at any cost. I want Barnet to cancel the contract immediately instead of seeing it out.

“I am not willing to spend my taxes on someone who is then going to ultimately abuse me and my son. It is ludicrous, it’s mad. Is my money being used to screw Bastian over?”

Mr Small, who works for the firm which has been contracted by Barnet Council since 2014, wrote: “Crikey, had a great “win” last week which sent some parents into a storm. It is always a great win when the other side thinks they won.”

He was then made a jibe at parents of disabled children who lose their court cases, adding: “Great ABA Trib [tribunal] win this week, interesting to see how parents continue to persist with it. Funny thing is parents think they won.”

When angered parents complained about the insensitive nature of the tweets, Mr Small then responded: “When parental solicitors champion their ‘wins’ they are lauded on twitter. Double standards I’m afraid.”

He added: “Some great tweets received today from people who just see a one sided argument… just shared them with my cat…” followed by a picture of a kitten laughing.

Ms Willicott, who says Oak Lodge is the “completely wrong” school for Bastian, added: “It’s bad enough I’m being taken to court for trying to help my son.

“I have told Bastian about the tweets because I am honest with him, and now he’s feeling apprehensive and extremely worried.”

Father Colin MacLeod lost his case against Baker Small last year when he and his wife tried to get funding to send their autistic son to a residential school.

He said: “The "win" Baker Small were celebrating means that yet another family will have to struggle on without the educational support they believe is vital for their child's development.

“It is good news that Barnet say they will stop using Baker Small solicitors. It would be even better news if Barnet would start prioritising the genuine needs of children and young people with disabilities.”

Following the backlash, Mark Small, a father-of-one, deleted the tweets and agreed to make a donation to a children’s hospice.

Councillor Reuben Thompstone, chairman of Barnet’s children, education and libraries and safeguarding, has now confirmed that the contract, which is set to expire at the end of this month, will not be extended for a third year.

Cllr Thompstone said: “We have a contract with Baker-Small to provide legal support in relation to ten SEN Tribunal cases. The contract will be concluded on the completion of these cases and we have no current plans to use Baker-Small for any further cases.

“The council with its new education provider Cambridge Education were already reviewing options for the future provision of legal support for our work in SEN Tribunal cases in Barnet.”