Madonna and child Malawian boy comes to Britain

LONDON, Oct 17 (Reuters) A one-year-old Malawian boy Madonna wants to adopt arrived to a life of luxury in Britain today, but rights groups questioned the legality of the move and whether it was best for the child himself.

Swapping the poverty of an African orphanage for the superstar's London mansion, David Banda flew into London with one of the US singer's bodyguards and her personal assistant.

Malawian authorities waived local rules to grant Madonna and her British film director husband, Guy Ritchie, an interim adoption yesterday, prompting charges from rights groups that Madonna used her status to bypass normal rules.

Madonna, 48, is hoping to make David a brother to her nine-year-old daughter Lourdes, and her son, Rocco, who is five.

Malawian law bans adoptions by non-residents, but officials are granting an exemption to Madonna. The interim order lasts for 18 months, giving Malawian courts time to evaluate the new parents. Around 50 rights groups have filed court documents asking for an injunction allowing them to block the adoption.

Paul Dimmick of the charity EveryChild told Reuters he was concerned that Madonna had been allowed to flout Malawi's adoption laws because of her international celebrity status.

''These laws are in place for a reason -- to protect the child. It doesn't matter who it is, the law is paramount and the interests of the child are paramount,'' he said.

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