Madonna's smooth adoption

Aug 7, 2007, 11:00 GMT

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Madonna insists her adoption of David Banda is going smoothly.

The pop superstar's representative Liz Rosenberg has slammed reports the permanent adoption is in trouble, following rumours her assessment visit has been cancelled.

Rosenberg said: "The adoption process is going along very well and according to proper procedure. It's not true that David may be sent back."

Government official Penstone Kilembe - who was due to visit Madonna and her husband Guy Ritchie to assess their suitability to adopt the two-year-old - has been banned from travelling to Madonna's London home following accusations he obtained expenses from the singer without government approval.

However, sources insist Madonna followed all the proper procedures to adopt David permanently and never offered Kilembe money or flight tickets.

A source told Us Weekly magazine: "Madonna is not one of those people who gives out airline tickets. She doesn't really give out anything for free. She definitely followed all proper procedures in this case and didn't give him the plane fare or money for expenses."

Kilembe denied he obtained money from the star and claims cancelling his visit could threaten Madonna's chances of keeping David, saying: "What this means is that the whole adoption process may crumble and David could be sent back to his village."

Kilembe was due to spend five days with Madonna and Guy at their London home to quiz the couple on a series of "sensitive questions".

The Malawian high court was relying on his testimony to make a decision on whether Madonna's adoption should be formalised in a hearing next year.

David has been living with Madonna since he left Malawi last October.

(C) BANG Media International