Morning:
8°c
Baby boy for gay police officers
27 Jul 2009Two gay police officers have had a baby boy after one of their sisters agreed to act as a surrogate so they could become fathers, it was revealed today.
Lorna Bradley, 31, volunteered to have their baby when her brother Steven Ponder, 28, a special constable, revealed a desire to start a family with Pc Ivan Sigston, 48.
Both men, who live together in Southampton, Hants, were present when mother-of-three Mrs Bradley gave birth to William Campbell Ponder-Sigston last month at her home in Worthing, West Sussex.
Speaking from her terraced property today, Mrs Bradley declined to go into detail about the arrangement but said they knew the story might leak out.
She said: "It's a bit shocking because we didn't know it was going to be in the paper. We are just thinking about what we are going to do at the moment.
"We knew there was a chance that it was going to get out but we would rather have some time to think about commenting. There is a lot of us involved in it so we have all got to discuss it."
Hampshire Police dog handler Mr Sigston provided the sperm but did not put himself down as the father, meaning he and Mr Ponder must adopt William.
Today a spokesman for the force declined to comment, saying it was a private matter.
A friend of Mr Sigston and Mr Ponder - who are believed to be Britain's first gay couple to father a baby - told the Sun newspaper that no fee was paid to Mrs Bradley, saying it was done out of "sisterly love".
"They are over the moon, and they cannot thank Lorna enough for what she has done," the friend said. "They have decorated a room at their home in blue as a nursery and take William out with the dogs daily."
Surrogacy UK said that under current law, it is not a binding surrogacy arrangement and as Mrs Bradley's is the only name on the birth certificate, she is William's legal guardian.
A standard arrangement would involve a couple applying for a parental order within six months of the child's birth.
At present, same-sex couples cannot apply for a parental order but have to go through the adoption process.
Reader views (5)
I am not sure why this is a news story or why it is relevant that they work for the police force? The child is clearly wanted, planned and loved, which gives him a far better start in life than many born to hetrosexual parents. The only real point of interest is the fact that same sex parents have to go through adoption as opposed to a parental order - something that can hopefully be rectified by a simple change in the Law.
- Sam, London, 27/07/2009 17:52
Report abuse
I'm sure he'll have a 'cute' little cop uniform too...
- Trunk, US, 27/07/2009 17:19
Report abuse
Nurture or Nature ?
Wonder how this poor little mite will grow up amongst the majority of normally conceived children ?
- Cap, London, 27/07/2009 16:50
Report abuse
@prototypical
Well his parents clearly love him. A child brought into this world because it's wanted starts life with a distinct advantage. My congratulations to the proud Dads.
- Aidan Reid, london, uk, 27/07/2009 13:54
Report abuse
God love the poor mite.
- Prototypical Englishman, Wormwood Scrubs, 27/07/2009 13:22
Report abuse
