Man pitches up tent for third year running in Clay Cross in protest against ‘forced adoption’

Paul Johnson, from Derby, has set up camp outside the North East Derbyshire Social Services building on Market Street.

The 53-year-old pitched up on Tuesday with his banners and signs and plans to stay until this Friday, September 24.

He has been holding similar protests in Clay Cross since 2019, a year after his daughter was adopted when DNA proved she wasn’t biologically related to him.

Paul said: "It was said in the paperwork that I wasn’t her dad but when she was born I was named as her dad.

"Forced adoption to me is when the child has many places to go within a family, but they don’t go with the family.”

He added: “My ex-partner gets contact. I get no contact whatsoever.

"She’s got a lot of memories with me, my mum, everybody.”

Paul told the Derbyshire Times he has also been campaigning in London and will continue to do so until action is taken.

A Derbyshire County Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the situation and remain in contact with the police.”

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