Paedophiles could have parental rights taken away under new law

'While the law protects other people's children from a sex offender, it doesn't protect his own'

The proposals come after a mother spent £30,000 in legal fees to stop her paedophile ex-husband from seeing their daughter.

The BBC had initially reported the case, and when Labour MP Harriet Harman heard the story she tabled an amendment to upcoming legislation.

Under the amendment, paedophiles who commit the most serious offence - rape of a child under the age of 13 - would be automatically stripped of their parental rights.

Harman told the BBC: "He will be able to get them back only if he goes to the family courts and is able to persuade them that it is in the child's best interests that his parental rights are restored.

"In the case of a child rapist that is unlikely."

The Lord Chancellor, who is responsible for courts, prisons, probation and constitutional affairs, has reportedly agreed to the amendment.

Harman said there is a "glaring anomaly" in current legislation that "while the law protects other people's children from a sex offender, it doesn't protect his own."

The former deputy Labour leader said the law should "step forward to protect children" instead of "leaving it to the mother".

The case Harman had heard was that of Bethan, not her real name, a mum whose ex-husband was found guilty of serious paedophile offences.

He was barred from contact with all children except from his own. He retained rights over his daughter's education, health and travel, even whilst he was in prison.

After a lengthy legal battle, during which Bethan's parents extended their mortgage to cover legal fees, Cardiff Family Court ruled in Bethan's favour last November.

Her ex-husband is now forbidden from any contact with his daughter until she turns 18. t