Psychologist apologies for giving poor evidence in adoption court case

A psychologist asked to provide an expert assessment of the father of a toddler at the centre of family court litigation wrote to a judge to apologise for giving “very poor quality” evidence.

She told Judge Richard Howell that she had been ill on the day she appeared in court.

Social workers at South Gloucestershire Council (pictured) think the boy should be placed for adoption, and the psychologist had given evidence at a preliminary family court hearing in Bristol.

Judge Howell said he could not rely on her assessment.

Detail of the case has emerged in a written ruling published by the judge.

He said: “I was left with a clear understanding that on the day she gave evidence she was having a very bad day.”

The judge said the boy could not be named, and he has not fully identified the psychologist.

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