Father: Madonna isn't fit to adopt my Mercy

James is yet to meet Mercy, after he left her mother when she was pregnant

The letter from James Kambewa, which he wrote in an attempt to block Madonna's application to adopt his daughter

Madonna cradles Mercy, three, while on a visit to Malawi

Madonna's hopes of adopting a second child from Malawi were dealt a crushing blow last night after the infant's father began a bid to claim full custody.

James Kambewa, 24, said he wanted to spare his three-year-old daughter Mercy a life of 'scandal' with a woman he claimed lacks 'good morals'.

Mr Kambewa, who has never met his daughter after walking out on her mother when she was pregnant, has written a letter to lawyers asking for a permanent injunction against Madonna adopting her. Mail Online reported.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail last night, Mr Kambewa, who earns just £23 a month as a security guard, insisted he would give his daughter a good home.

Mercy has been living in an orphanage since her mother died.

'She is my daughter; she is my blood; she needs parental love,' he said. 'She is not an orphan. She lost one parent, yes, but I am still alive and so she is not an orphan.

'Madonna has millions of dollars but that doesn't make her a good mum. Parental love is more than money.'