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Evil Destruction of a Happy Family

And UKIP South East Responce to this


LETTER TO THE EDITOR                         23 July 2009

Dear Sir,

We are deeply disturbed by the shocking and harrowing details, reported last week in a national newspaper by a highly-respected journalist under the heading “Evil destruction of a happy family”, of the circumstances in which a young Wealden girl was taken into care by East Sussex County Council two years ago, at the age of five, and who has now been made the subject of a final adoption order, despite the determined opposition of her parents who have battled through 74 court hearings, and despite there being no suggestion that her well-being was under threat at home.

We support the action of the MP for Wealden in raising this matter in Parliament on 15th July, and we note his view that the case may now go the European Court of Human Rights for a final decision.  However, that may take anything up to a further two years during which time the child and her parents will continue to be separated.  We believe that only immediate and extraordinary action here at home will have any chance of putting right what has been described as a case of the most appalling injustice.

Many similar cases have been reported from around the country in recent times and their common theme is the extent to which the proceedings and decisions were all taken in secret.     The law that permits this, and threatens anyone who divulges information with a jail sentence, was intended merely to protect the identity of children.  The unintended consequence has been that it prevents the searchlight of public scrutiny and debate being shone on the activities of  social-workers and other local authority staff.  Despite a recent relaxation of certain court reporting restrictions, this remains largely the position today.

We believe that this case is a classic example of the adage that justice that cannot be seen to be done is rarely justice.  We further believe that, as there is already sufficient information in the public domain to identify the family, there can be no justification for continuing the secrecy on the grounds that it is protecting the identity of the child.  We therefore call on East Sussex County Council to immediately appoint a committee of enquiry, with the press being granted full access without reporting restrictions, to investigate all aspects of this case and with full powers to recommend, should they so decide, that the child in care be immediately returned to the safe custody of her parents.

Yours faithfully,

David Samuel, Chairman, UKIP South-East Region
Mrs Kris Latham, Chairman, UKIP East Sussex
Dan Docker, Chairman, UKIP Wealden
Kenneth Alderton, Chairman, UKIP Eastbourne
Mike Pursglove, Chairman, UKIP Bexhill & Battle
Paul Hartfield, Chairman, UKIP Lewes
Paul Abbott, Chairman, UKIP Brighton Pavilion
Mike Mendoza, Chairman, UKIP Hove

(For further information please contact David Samuel at dsamuel@dsl.pipex.com or on 01962-736236)

The Old Grain Store, Church Lane, Lyminster, West Sussex BN17 7QJ
Tel: 01903-885573;  Fax: 01903-885574;  email: ukipse3@intamail.com