BBC Breakfast broadcast a deeply moving segment during the latest live programme, leaving several guests in tears.
Emotional Coverage of Forced Adoptions
Presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt were back in the Salford studio on Thursday, June 18, to bring viewers the most significant stories from across the UK and beyond. Later in the programme, they covered forced adoptions, as the government prepares to issue an apology to victims following years of tireless campaigning by mothers and adoptees.
An estimated 185,000 infants were separated from their mothers during the three decades following the Second World War. Thousands of women were coerced into giving up their babies for adoption because they were unmarried.
On today's BBC Breakfast, Naga announced: "Victims of historical forced adoptions in England will receive a full apology from the government." Charlie continued: "It's thought that around 185,000 babies were taken from unmarried women in the years after the Second World War."
Heartbreaking Stories from Victims
In a pre-recorded package, correspondent Duncan Kennedy revealed: "Stories infused with heartache, losses ingrained for a lifetime. For five years, birth mothers and adoptees have told us of their pain of forced separation." Duncan interviewed a woman named Yvonne Labrum, who became visibly upset as she looked back on being forced to give up her child.
"We all make mistakes. We shouldn't have to pay for them for the rest of our lives," another mother, Heather Brumley, declared. The BBC's coverage led to a parliamentary inquiry, which was led by Baroness Harman. When her report came out, Duncan was with some of the birth mothers. They instantly broke down in tears as the reporter read out the official apology after their "lasting suffering."
State Involvement Exposed
Duncan went on to say: "We revealed post-war documents showing the state's involvement in forced adoptions. This one read, 'She is forced to part from the baby, whether she wishes it or not.'" Another mother from Glasgow, Elspeth, was also left in tears after the "horrible" experiences she endured, as well as Andy, a birth father from Wales.
Duncan continued: "Post-war adoptions were depicted as wholly positive, but the truth was very different." Jan Shine, an adoptee, said: "I'm angry for the system allowing me to be given to those people." Judy Baker, another mother who fell victim to forced adoption, was also left in tears as she said: "I loved [my daughter] so much, I still love her. I'm her mum."
Duncan concluded: "Each story arcing its sadness out of the past. Forced adoptions, an infinite agony." BBC Breakfast airs daily on BBC One at 6am.
