The Foreign Office has confirmed it is offering consular assistance after a French mother and her partner were arrested in Portugal for abandoning her two young sons by a roadside. The boys, aged 5 and 7, were discovered alone near a motorway in northern Portugal on Tuesday. Sources say the mother and her partner are British nationals.
They were detained by Portuguese police on Wednesday evening. The case has sent shockwaves through Whitehall. Questions are being asked about why the children were left.
The mother reportedly told police she could not cope. The partner is believed to be the father of one of the boys. Both are being held in custody pending a court appearance.
The British embassy in Lisbon is now involved. Consular staff are liaising with local authorities. They are also providing support to the boys who are in the care of Portuguese social services.
One Whitehall source described the situation as "deeply troubling." The Foreign Office declined to comment on the specifics of the case.
But a spokesperson said: "We are supporting a British family in Portugal and are in contact with local authorities." This is a developing story.
Expect more details to emerge in the coming days. The case has reignited debates about parental responsibility and child welfare. For now, the focus remains on the welfare of the boys.
