David's Dad: still not seen his son

Having first suggested that David Banda was an orphan, Madonna's now working to try and make it a bit like he is, effectively: Yohane Banda says that promises he was made have been broken and he's been cut out of his son's life:

“I was promised by Madonna that I would be able to see my son,” he said. “The government people that were coming to see me also assured me that they would facilitate my meetings with my son. I miss him so much because he is my only son, the only gift of life from God – all others have died.

“I told her [Madonna] that although I was giving her my son she should look after him well . . . I told her that she should raise him, educate him and make sure that he does not forget me and Malawi.

“Now I fear that my child will never know his roots and will not know me. He is the only surviving child I have and I regret the whole thing now. It’s so painful sometimes to realise that I have been forgotten.”

To be fair, The Sunday Times didn't offer Madonna any chance to respond to the claims in its story this morning, so perhaps it's all a terrible misunderstanding. Perhaps.

Apparently, Yohane Banda talks direct to WENN

A curious little report has popped up on the gossip sites, sourced to World Entertainment News Network which suggests that David Banda's Dad doesn't want him to go home:

He says, "I wouldn’t love it if David came home because he may not survive here in our poor conditions."

Hmm. Oddly, WENN don't suggest where this quote might have come from, or who he might have been speaking to. Which makes it a bit difficult to judge this strangely-coached sounding quote's veracity.

Odder still, WENN claims:

The adoption process has been delayed after a visit by a Malawian official to check on the suitability of David’s new home was cancelled due to a reported lack of funds.

We could have sworn the visit was cancelled because Madonna had been discovered to be underwriting the costs of the visit. Curious to see it being spun to suggest that Malawi is such a poor country they can't even afford a plane ticket for a meeting...

So, how did the reunion between David and his Dad go, Madonna?

Before Madonna's return to Malawi, Yohane Banda expressed disappointment that he'd not heard from Madonna since she took his son out the country, and suggested he'd take the opportunity of a meeting to give Mrs Richie his contact details.

Madonna has managed to avoid any such unpleasantness as having a phone number crammed into her hand by simply not having the decency to let David see his father.

Yohane is learning to deal with the constant series of disappointments:

Yohane was left disappointed when Madonna's tight schedule didn't allow for him to sit down with David. He says, "I never met him. Plans were there for me to meet David but it never happened.

"I must say my mother was looking forward to meeting David and she was a little sad it was never to happen. But I assured her it will happen one day."

Banda claims the Malawi government's Director Of Child Welfare services, Penston Kilembe, told him, "Meeting me was not on the agenda but (Madonna's) people said if time allowed she would meet me."

Well, you can understand how she might find it tricky to make time in her busy schedule to find a couple of hours to let a father and son spend some time together. It's almost as if she was keen for it not to happen. For some reason.

Madonna's visit brings cops, violence

The "private" reunion between Yohane and David Banda has turned into a mini-riot and sideshow, as stone-throwing children, police and journalists came into a violent mess outside the orphanage. Must be great for the kids to have all this going on outside - presumably Madonna was unable to think of another way to reunite the child with his father than turning up at the orphanage in a massive attention-drawing convoy?

David's dad: I've heard nothing

As Madonna flies to Malawi to expressly not spirit away another child, David Banda's dad says he's excited to hear that he might get a chance to see his son. Especially since he's not heard a word from the Ciccone Organisation since she took his kid off last year:

"Officially I have not heard anything. There has been no communication whatsoever but I have heard the rumours and I get the feeling that she might be coming.

"I am excited. I hope that there will be an opportunity for me to see my son."

Although Mr Banda insisted he had 'no regrets' about agreeing to the adoption, he expressed disappointment that Madonna had not kept in touch, saying he would ask for her address and phone number so that he could contact her.

He said: "I understand that she is a busy person but if there is an opportunity, I would appreciate it if she could tell me how my son is doing, which has not been the case so far."

You know what, Yohane? You might think of reversing the charges if she does give you a phone number.

Meanwhile, Madonna's insistence that there was nothing at all murky about her getting such a swift adoption despite it apparently having no similarity to normal procedures or legal obligations has taken another knock.

As if the sponsorship of an adoption official to study in the UK wasn't undue influence enough, it now turns out that there was a financial link between the Kabbalah charity fronted by Madonna and the orphanage which offered David to her:

Despite protestations that Madonna had not given funds to the orphanage, it has emerged that her charity Raising Malawi financed a refurbishment.

A source at the home, which looks after 420 children, said: "Staff salaries have gone up, everything has been repainted, there are new clothes for the orphans, new beds and mattresses, and they've started work on new, bigger dormitories. I suppose you'd call it a reward for helping with the adoption."

The home has also started running courses provided by Spirituality for Kids, a group linked to the Kabbalah religion practised by Madonna.

Oh, good. How great it must be to hear that the answer to your problems is overpriced red string and an eight quid bottle of water.