Investigation launched into why couple's foster children were taken from them 'after they joined Ukip''Exemplary' foster parents cared for three children from ethnic minorities
Staff from Rotherham council told couple that Ukip had 'racist' policies and their membership of it made them unsuitable carers
Couple left 'bereft' when the children were removed within a week
Education secretary says social workers at the council made 'the wrong decision in the wrong way for the wrong reasons'
By Chris Brooke
PUBLISHED: 01:29, 24 November 2012 |
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2237660/Ukip-Husband-wifes-foster-children-ethnic-minorities-taken-away-couple-joined-Ukip.htmlIndependence Party (Ukip) was strongly criticised by the Education Secretary today for its 'indefensible' decision.
Education Secretary Michael Gove said social workers at the council had made 'the wrong decision in the wrong way for the wrong reasons' and that he would be personally investigating and exploring steps to 'deal with' the situation.
The married couple claimed they had their foster children taken away from them for joining the political party by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.
By the council's own admission the youngsters were happy and there was no question mark over the foster parents' provision of care.
The council has also launched an investigation into why the three youngsters were removed.
Mr Gove, who heads the Government department responsible for children's services and who was himself adopted as a child, accused Rotherham of sending out a 'dreadful signal'.
'Rotherham council have made the wrong decision in the wrong way for the wrong reasons,' he said.
'Rotherham's reasons for denying this family the chance to foster are indefensible.
'The ideology behind their decision is actively harmful to children. We should not allow considerations of ethnic or cultural background to prevent children being placed with loving and stable families. We need more parents to foster, and many more to adopt.
'Any council which decides that supporting a mainstream UK political party disbars an individual from looking after children in care is sending a dreadful signal that will only decrease the number of loving homes available to children in need.
'I will be investigating just how this decision came to be made and what steps we need to take to deal with this situation.' More..
See also same story:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20474120http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/council-will-investigate-why-children-were-removed-from-rotherham-foster-family-who-were-ukip-members-after-michael-gove-and-ed-miliband-weigh-in-to-row-8348028.htmlSearch Internet using term:
UKIP children taken into care