October 22, 2006 20:12
Madonna adoption saga takes new twist Madonna Tickets
Father of child claims he didn't know what was involved
The father of the Malawian boy adopted by Madonna has claimed he didn’t know that the adoption meant him giving up his son for good.
In a new twist to the story that has gripped the world for over a week, Yohane Banda said today (October 22) that had he known, he would never have given 13 month-old David up. He said adoption services in Malawi never told him the procedure meant that David would no longer be his son.
Banda, who is illiterate, said he had no idea what the High Court adoption papers he signed had meant and he was "just realising" what the procedure entailed.
"I want more clarification on the adoption,” he said. “I would prefer that David goes back to the orphanage where I can see him any time I want, rather than send him away for good."
According to the Associated Press news agency, Banda said he thought Madonna would just "educate and take care of our son". But he still thanked the star for rescuing David "from poverty and disease".
The child is now in London with Madonna and her family. He will be monitored for 18 months before the adoption is fully approved.
Meanwhile, a human rights group are launching an appeal over the adoption in Malawi High Court on Friday (October 27). The argue that foreign adoptive parents must live in the country for 18 months before adoption can be approved.
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