Press Release

'The thoughts of every one of our members and supporters will be with Mr Blunkett', said John Baker, FNF Chair. ‘We trust that he will reciprocate with all those in the same position.’ 

Families Need Fathers is a natural source of comment on the tragedy of David Blunkett.

Our principal activity is supporting people in his position.

Mr Blunkett’s situation is unusual only in that he is public figure and has had to endure publicity.

There are some 2-2.5m parents - nearly all fathers - whose experience has something in common with his.

His story - bitter disappointment in his principal adult relationship, loss - at least temporarily - of children, loss of career, home and income in the fallout is, unhappily, widespread.

As is the uphill struggle he now has to face for the remaining meaningful relationship in his life - the children.

The battle for this will be an unequal one, as it is for the hundreds of thousands who suffer the same in private.

His motives will be misrepresented. He will be accused of pursuing an ex who does not want him, rather than understood as wanting to do the best for his children.

Attempts will be made to delay proceedings until the argument can be deployed that his son no longer has a bond with him.

He will be told that any pressure on the mother will negatively affect the children. She is entitled to every help with her feelings, but not to make her children suffer as a result.

He will be told that the new 'intact' family should be respected. The stability of it cannot, however, be relied on. The natural father is a better bet for stability than a possible succession of step-fathers.

The point will be made that babies and children should be exclusively with the mother. There is no scientific evidence for this prejudice. They are regularly in the care of others - this is only regarded as problematic when the person concerned is the mother's ex.

It will be said that if the mother wants to take the children abroad to live, that she should be allowed to. Children to whom this happens usually lose everything dear to them - including one of their parents - except the parent who takes them away.

There will be 'understanding' if the mother or those around her act in 'emotional' ways, but any such behaviour on his part will be judged as indicative of personality defects.