- Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer formally apologised in Parliament on behalf of the state for historical forced adoptions, describing the practice as a "stain on our history" after meeting with campaigners.
- The apology follows a 2022 recommendation from the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR), which asserted the government's ultimate responsibility for the pain caused by public institutions and state employees in these adoptions.
- This Westminster apology comes three years after administrations in Wales and Scotland issued similar apologies, and two weeks after the Church of England also apologised for its role, acknowledging the "pain, trauma and stigma" caused.
- Campaigners have consistently called for a state apology to include an acknowledgement of wrongdoing, acceptance of responsibility, expression of remorse, and assurances that such harm will not be repeated, alongside demands for trauma-informed counselling and better access to records for those affected.
- The apology is tinged with sadness for campaigners, as some who worked tirelessly for this recognition, including Veronica Smith, co-founder of the Movement for an Adoption Apology, passed away before witnessing the formal state apology.
IN FULL
Starmer calls forced adoption scandal a ‘stain on our history’ as he apologises to survivors
