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From The Times
December 9, 2005

MP sues over 'threat to his baby'

By Sam Coates
An MP has issued a writ claiming £300,000 against Birmingham social services and individual social workers for allegedly harassing his newborn baby and her mother.

John Hemming, 45, the Liberal Democrat MP for Birmingham Yardley, claims that the harassment centred on a threat to put baby Isabel on an at-risk register. The threat was later withdrawn.

He claimed that Isabel’s mother, Emily Cox, 30, was questioned by social services as she went into labour in October. In the writ lodged at the High Court, he said that she and his baby had been “defamed, tortured and assaulted” by social services.

Mr Hemming, a successful entrepreneur married to Christine, 46, admitted to the affair when it was revealed that Miss Cox was expecting his child.

A spokesman for the council said: “Birmingham City Council will be vigorously defending the matter and its staff.”

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