Hundreds protest as siblings go into care
More than 100 Somalis protested outside Milton Keynes Council’s offices on Wednesday after a couple had their five children taken from them by social services.
The parents claim they have been treated unfairly after the children, who are aged from three months to nine years old, were taken into care seven days ago.
But council bosses have said they are following standard procedures following “serious allegations of a child protection nature”.
The children’s father Sayid Dahir told the Citizen: “They put our six-year-old daughter up to it, to say ‘My mum hit me’. They misled our child, and got her to say something against her mother.
“And the school didn’t phone us to say there was a problem, they went straight to social services and the police.”
The couple, who live in Oldbrook, claim that they have never had any previous problems relating to any of their children or concerns raised about the family by any authorities.
They were joined at their protest by members of the Somali community who came from across the UK to add their voice.
Mr Dahir, who is a qualified accountant, added: “Our youngest is still being breastfed, but we only get to see them for two hours twice a week. All they do is cry.
“We are concerned there may be a racial element to the accusations.”
A Milton Keynes Council spokesman said: “We are currently investigating serious allegations of a child protection nature, but it is, of course, inappropriate to comment on any individuals involved.
“The safeguarding and welfare of children remains our highest priority and we are following our normal procedures here.”
Thames Valley Police were unavailable for comment.