Singer Sir Elton John’s plans to adopt a 14 month old boy from a Ukrainian orphanage have been scuppered by officials.
According to the AP, the country’s Family, Youth and Sports Minister Yuriy Pavlenko said that John was ineligible to adopt the child because only married couples can do so in the Ukraine. The country does not recognise the star’s British-registered union with partner David Furnish.
The minister also said that 62 year old John was told old to adopt as the law required the potential adopter to be no more than 45 years older than the child.
The legendary British performer expressed his interest in adopting 14 month old Lev to journalists during a visit to an orphanage in the Eastern European country for his Aids charity foundation on Saturday.
“…having seen Lev today, I would love to adopt him. I don’t know how we do that but he has stolen my heart. And he has stolen David’s heart and it would be wonderful if we can have a home,” John said at the time.
