A Sikh husband and wife have begun legal action after claiming that they were refused permission to adopt a white child because of their “cultural heritage”.

Sandeep and Reena Mander, British-born business professionals from Berkshire, say that they were told not to apply to become adoptive parents on the basis that white British or European applicants would be given preference. The couple are of Sikh Indian heritage but have no close links to India.

They had told the adoption agency that they would be delighted to adopt a child of any ethnic background but were rejected as potential parents on the grounds that only white children were available, they allege. The Manders, both in their 30s, claim they were told to adopt a child from