A council that denied Sikh couple Sandeep and Reena Mander the chance to adopt a child over their “cultural heritage” is refusing to back down, despite the intervention of the prime minister Theresa May and the equality watchdog.
British-born Sandeep and Reena Mander said they had wanted the chance to adopt a child of any ethnic background. But they were refused the chance to apply by Windsor and Maidenhead council’s agency, Adopt Berkshire, basing on their ethnicity, the Guardian reported.
They were reportedly told that only white children were in need, and white British or European applicants would be given preference so the couple could not put their names down as potential adopters.
Experts expressed astonishment at the case as it appears to clearly disregard the Children and Families Act of 2014, which ended the practice of allowing only ethnic matches for adopted children.
The Manders’ case was taken up by their MP, Theresa May, in the form of a letter to the council, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHCR).
However despite the intervention and a round of media interviews given by the Manders on last Tuesday, the council is sticking to its decision. It also refuses to discuss the case. A spokesman said: “We do not comment on ongoing court cases.”
