Tuesday, 4 November 2008

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Madonna barred from adopting Mercy James

Singer's split from Guy Ritchie ruins plans to give home to Malawian orphan

Madonna and Guy Ritchie announced their separation 2 weeks ago

Madonna’s divorce from Guy Ritchie has put paid to her plans to adopt from Malawi again, according to the country’s Child Welfare Services director.

The Material Girl has long shown an interest in giving a home to orphan Mercy James, who she first met at an orphanage in 2006.

But Malawian official Penston Kilembe says the split with Guy, 40, means the adoption cannot be approved.

‘One fundamental condition in scrutinising adoptions is the connectedness of a family,’ he says.

‘We can’t approve a child to go into a broken family because the divorce could be the result of the behaviour of the party trying to adopt. Madonna should forget this one.’

Madge, 50, adopted David Banda, 3, from Malawi last year – but Penston insists the split won’t affect him.

‘His future will be decided by the British courts, who determine issues of custody,’ he tells Grazia. ‘He is no longer our responsibility.’

SEE GALLERY Madonna and Guy Ritchie – a love story gone wrong>>