Geldof backs role of single fathers

Bob Geldof spoke up for the rights of single fathers yesterday, urging the courts to reject the idea that mothers always make better carers than men.

The pop star said awarding custody automatically to mothers did not always work, adding that where feasible judges should give custody to the partner not moving out.

Although both parents should be equal in the eyes of the law on custody matters after a break-up, some lawyers believe the courts unduly favour mothers.

In 1998, Geldof, 50, won custody against his former wife Paula Yates of their daughters, Fifi, 18, Peaches, 12, and Pixie, 11. After the death of Ms Yates two years ago, he now also cares for Tiger Lily, her five-year-old daughter fathered by Michael Hutchence, the late INXS singer.

In an interview with Reader's Digest magazine, Geldof called on custody courts and judges to "understand that not all men are brutal, indifferent bores, and women ministering angels".

He said: "Where one partner leaves the other, the children should remain with the partner who has not left.

"Men adore and love their children as much as women, though they may display it in different ways."

Referring to his court battle for his children as the "nightmare years", he said he had endured "universes of grief and deserts of emptiness" after his divorce from Ms Yates.

Vanessa Lloyd Platt, a divorce lawyer, said that although the law did not show any favouritism to mothers in custody matters, she understood the singer's frustrations.

"Women do not automatically have rights over children when a couple split up but there is a slight favouring of the mother because there is an assumption that children will live with Mum," she said.

"Every day of the week can be unfair when fathers are equally able to look after children but are told, sorry, it's got to be the mum."

Ms Lloyd Platt said the number of men applying for custody had increased over the years, but added that there was still "a long way to go" in overcoming the presumption in favour of mothers.