Madonna 'will be allowed to adopt Mercy'

Madonna has convinced three Malawian appeal judges to allow her to adopt Mercy James, according to reports.

By Chris Irvine

A court had previously denied the singer, 50, the chance to adopt Mercy, but two of the judges have allegedly submitted reports recommending the adoption while the third is said be "in complete unison with them".

The ruling is set to be announced next Sunday at Malawi's Supreme Court of Appeal.

"All recommendations are in favour of the adoption taking place. Mercy should start packing her bags. She's off to America."

A friend of Madonna's said the singer was "ecstatic", adding: "She made a promise that she wouldn't give up on Mercy and, believe me, she could move mountains when she's this determined."

In a surprise ruling in April, a judge turned down the interim adopting application ruling the popstar could not take the girl to the USA. Malawi's laws state adoptive parents must be living in the country for at least 18 months, so government child welfare officers can monitor them to confirm their suitability.

Despite this, Madonna had been widely expected to succeed in her bid for adoption, having already adopted three-year-old Malawian David Banda. She had been granted an interim adoption for David in 2006 and immediately took him to Britain. The adoption process was completed last year.

Human rights groups have argued that allowing Madonna to adopt the child would encourage trafficking and perhaps even attract Western paedophiles.