The parents of the girl involved in this case have asked us to make a brief statement on their behalf.
Firstly, as you are aware, child care proceedings are held in camera and there is a statutory prohibition on any information being disclosed which could identify our clients or their daughter.
They would ask all members of the media not just to take account of the legal position but also of the family’s privacy and need to be left in peace to try to get on with their lives as best they can at this difficult time.
Our clients are absolutely delighted that their daughter is coming home. Her removal has been a cause of huge upset to her parents, her brothers and sisters and the young girl herself.
Her parents greatly appreciate the help and assistance that they have been given by friends and relatives over the last few days. They now intend to concentrate on looking after their family and, in particular, in trying to reassure their daughter that she will be left in their care.
All that being said however our clients also wish to say that they do not believe that what has happened to their family over the last few days should ever have happened. They do not accept that this was any proper or sufficient basis to take their daughter away from them, thereby causing her and them the upset which has been caused.
They are very conscious of the fact that this case has been linked with events in other countries which have nothing to do with them and that there has been a vast amount of publicity about their situation. They are also conscious of the fact that it is going to be difficult to try to return to normal life.
They believe that there are very serious questions arising about the procedures used in this case but are going to wait for things to settle and then consider their position and that of their daughter in light of recent events, and will be taking legal advice in respect of this.
Finally our clients would like those who hear this statement, and particularly those who are parents themselves, to consider how they would feel if one of their children was taken away in similar circumstances for similar reasons. They hope that no other family has to go through the experience that they have just suffered.
Thank you for your attention.