Malawian tot's uncle condemns judge's decision

London, Apr 5 (ANI): Uncle of Mercy James, the four-year-old girl Madonna wants to adopt, has condemned the judge who stopped the singer from adopting the Malawian girl.

Peter Baneti told The Telegraph: "We don't understand the judge's reasoning. We as a family discussed this and agreed that it is in the best interests of Mercy to have her adopted, so why should the judge stop this if the family is OK with it?"

Baneti said Judge Esmie Chombo, who dismissed Madonna's adoption bid on Friday, had denied his niece the chance of a new life away from the Kondanani orphanage where she is now living.

He was scathing about the judge, adding: "Does she know what it means to be poor? Does she know life in an orphanage? How can she say Mercy is better off at Kondanani?"

"We are very disappointed. We hope that the Supreme Court will overturn her ruling," he added. (ANI)