The situation in Leeds "is under the attention of the Child Rights Authority"

In a statement signed by Rares-Petru Achiriloaie, he says that in the case of the incident in Leeds, UK, "emotions took the place of reason" and, carried away by good intentions, "people let things degenerate into a situation that turned it into a riot".

He added that the UK authorities had legal and legitimate reasons for taking the decision regarding the Romanian children, but he believes that the situation could have been handled better.

"We will now take concrete steps, together with the Consulate General of Romania in Manchester, to identify the best option for the four children, who are currently safe together in the care of the British authorities. The important thing is to find solutions to resolve the conflict peacefully, with understanding and calm", the Authority's press release added.

Last week in Leeds, there were violent clashes with the police after Romanian citizens protested against the decision of the British social services to take the children, after one of them ended up in hospital with a blow to the head and doctors alerted the authorities.

Translated by: Radu Matei