David Banda, the adopted son of Madonna and Guy RitchieDespite much criticism from children’s rights organisations around the world over the adoption, Madonna’s new son David arrived in the UK yesterday evening.

A court in the Malawi capital, Lilongwe, issued David with a passport and visas for both the UK and the USA earlier in the day and shortly afterwards, David, accompanied by Madonna’s nanny, Shavawn Gordon and two bodyguards, left the country for Britain, flying on a private jet via South Africa.

The party arrived at Heathrow airport early evening yesterday but avoided the waiting photographers in the arrivals hall by leaving through another exit. After leaving the airport, the group headed to Madonna’s home near Marble Arch so that David could be reunited with his new family.

David’s departure from Malawi has caused outrage amongst groups who feel the interim adoption order has been rushed through because of Madonna’s celebrity status.

Malawi’s Eye Of The Child organisation are seeking to prevent Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie from getting permanent custody of David. The organisation’s director, Maxwell Matewere, said: “We are absolutely furious about what has happened. But we are going to go ahead with our court case today.”

“If the court supports our argument, David will have to be returned. It would have been better if the process was delayed. The adoption should not have been allowed.”

Penston Kilembe, the director of the Malawi’s Ministry of Gender, Child Welfare and Community Services, has countered the argument, explaining: “The process did not start [this week] - Madonna’s people have been pushing the papers for some time.”

“Her coming to Malawi was just to sign the papers to conclude the process.”

Even if Madonna and Guy are granted the permanent adoption by the courts in Malawi, the couple will still face a “re-adoption” process in the UK because Malawi is not covered by the Hague Convention for intercountry adoption. The case could take up to two years, with a social worker making reports on the couple’s relationship and ability to care for the child.

Madonna’s publicist, Liz Rosenberg, last night confirmed the temporary custody arrangement and that David has been flown into the UK. She added that Madonna is “going to do her best to not make it a public circus”.