People affected by historical forced adoption practices received an apology from the Welsh government on Tuesday.

The government invited some of those subject to the practice to the Senedd in Cardiff Bay for a formal apology for the “societal failures” which led to the practice.

It comes after Scotland’s former first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, gave an apology on behalf of the government in Holyrood last month.

The Joint Committee on Human Rights published recommendations last year after an inquiry into the historic practice.

Around 185,000 children were taken from unmarried mothers and adopted between 1949 and 1976 in England and Wales.

The practice predates devolution in Wales. The Senedd – then known as the Welsh assembly – did not sit until 1999, but the Welsh government say forced adoption practices have had a “lasting legacy” on all who experienced them.

One of the people affected by the practice who attended the Senedd was Ann Keen who was MP for Brentford and Isleworth between 1997 and 2010 and health minister under Gordon Brown.

Lola James: Mother and her ‘monster’ partner jailed over two-year-old’s murder in Pembrokeshire

Newport: Family pays tribute to ‘wonderful’ and ‘loved’ 19-year-old who died in early morning crash

Survivor of crash in Cardiff that killed three pays tribute to her ‘beautiful’ friends who died

She said she was always told her son’s adoption was “for the best”.

Read more from Sky News:
Mother and ‘monster’ partner jailed for toddler’s murder
Survivor of crash that killed three pays tribute to ‘beautiful’ friends

“Sadly this was not the case,” Ms Keen said. “It was horrible, shameful, and left me grieving and feeling unable to talk to anyone. I was forced to live a life that remained a secret.”

She said she became a nurse before entering politics to provide “the sort of dignity and social justice to patients that was denied to me when I was at my most vulnerable”.

Ms Keen added that she now felt “empowered” and that her name had been “cleared”.

“I did not ‘give him up'”, she added. “He was taken from me.”

Never acceptable’

Julie Morgan, the Welsh government’s deputy minister for social services, added that the impacts of forced adoption and forced family separation were “diverse and long-lasting”.

“Many still find it extremely difficult to open-up and talk about the life-long heartbreak they have bottled up for fear of still being judged,” the minister added.

Ms Morgan added that “such cruelty should never be an acceptable part of our society in Wales”.

“I would like to convey my deepest sympathy and regret to all affected, that due to society failing you, you had to endure such appalling historical practices in Wales – for this the whole of the Welsh Government is truly sorry.”

The UK government has also voiced its regret at the historical practice.

A spokesperson for the Department for Education said the government agreed that the treatment of unmarried parents during this period “was wrong and should not have happened”.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

“We are sorry to all those affected by historic adoption practices,” they added.

“We are sorry on behalf of society for what happened. Whilst we cannot undo the past, lessons of the time have been learned and have led to significant changes to legislation and practice.”

Related posts:

‘Kate remembers what it was like to walk alone’: Duchess visits tribute site for Sarah Everard Scotland crash out of Euro 2020 after defeat to Croatia – while England top Group D Pick your own policies: Climate calculator lets Britons estimate impact of green choices Man stabbed to death near Tube station ‘was filming music video’ Russian embassy targeted in London as protesters assemble over Ukraine invasion Starmer cleared by police over ‘beergate’ after vowing to resign if he received fine Woman accused of murdering and decapitating her neighbour over home renovation row Unless change is forced, more maternity scandals will follow Chaos amongst Tory MPs as Labour motion to force vote on fracking bill is defeated. Waitrose cuts scene from Christmas advert after complaints from cancer charity Energy bills may rise again without plan for 2035 clean power target – warning Public urged to look in gardens and sheds as search for missing baby continues