Twitter Sandeep and Reena Mander claim to have been denied adopting a white child

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Sandeep and Reena Mander, from Berkshire said they were told to “adopt a child from India” despite having no close links to the country, after registering with Adopt Berkshire. The husband and wife, both professionals in their thirties, said they were happy to adopt a child from any ethnic background. The agency, run by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead council, conducted a home visit and the couple were found to be suitable to adopt a child. But the agency said they shouldn’t apply because only white children were available and preference would be given to white British or European parents, the pair claims.

Twitter Sandeep and Reena Mander say they were told to adopt a child from India

Sandeep, 35, a vice-president of sales for a technology company, said: “Giving an adopted child – no matter what race – the security of a loving home was all we wanted to do. “What we didn’t expect was a refusal for us to even apply for adoption, not because of our incapability to adopt, but because our cultural heritage was defined as ‘Indian/Pakistani’.” He said their case was initially taken up by Theresa May, their constituent MP whilst she was the Home Secretary.

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Giving an adopted child – no matter what race – the security of a loving home was all we wanted to do Sandeep Mander

Mr Mander added: “Mrs May was shocked and was very helpful. Her office wrote letters but nothing happened. “When prime minister, she sent further letters and involved the then minister for children and he suggested we take legal advice.” The Manders are seeking a declaration that the policy should allow them to adopt at Slough county court.

Law firm McAllister Olivarius is representing the couple and the case is backed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The company’s senior partner Ann Olivarius said not enough attention had been paid to the best interests of children in need of being adopted. She said: “It is very odd when you have children in great need and who are desperate for a home. This couple seem the best candidates for parenthood you would want to know.

“They do not see racial divides, they just have so much love in their hearts and want to raise a family.” David Isaac, chair of the EHRC, said: “There are many children who are waiting for a loving family like Sandeep and Reena to help give them a better life. To be denied this because of so-called cultural heritage is wrong.” The number of children being adopted is falling. Last year 4,690 adoptions took place in England, down from 5,360 in 2015.

Twitter Sandeep and Reena Mander are being represented by the law firm McAllister Olivarius