British Government Reacts To Child Snatching Allegations

Today, the British government has released the following statement in reaction to information published in Slovak media. Here is the full unedited version.

We strongly rebut the allegations against the social services in the UK made by the Slovak media. Social services in the UK are among the best-regulated in the world.

We cannot comment on individual cases, as we have a legal responsibility to protect the privacy of the children involved, but any involvement of local authorities is based on full and fair assessments. The management of all cases involving families must follow the full legal processes, which includes the involvement of Britain’s internationally-respected courts.

We want to reasure all Slovak citizens, that British Social Services only take children into care when they have serious concerns about the wellbeing of the child. For British Social Services and the independent legal system, protection and welfare of children is the highest priority.

It is Social Services’ primary duty to protect children, and children are only taken into care when there is serious concern for their safety. Children will be returned to families if Social Services, and the UK courts, determine that there is no risk to their welfare. We respect the presumption of innocence and at the same time we respect all decisions of independent courts.