Madonna Told Hands Off New Adoption Target

Madonna has been left reeling after the uncle of the girl she wants to adopt said he was totally against letting her leave Malawi.

The popstar, who has already adopted one child from the African country, wants to take the 20-month-old girl after finding her in a Malawian orphanage.

But the girl's Uncle, John Ngalande says he expects to eventually take custody of the child after her mother died and her father, a schoolboy at the time of birth, has taken little part in her life.

He tells The People, "I would rather we be poor and struggling with Mercy, than for her to go and live with a big white star far away.

"We were told when Mercy went into the orphanage that we would be in constant contact with her and that she would come back to us after six years. I would like to stick to that.

"Whether it be Madonna or any other white person, I'm against our child being taken away."

A source adds the news has come as a blow to Madonna and her husband Guy Ritchie.

"It is a very stressful time for Madonna and Guy," they say. "As far as they are concerned they are offering two parent-less children the chance of a happy, loving home and a better future. Yet they are facing problems at every turn."