The Child Support Agency has claimed quite a few innocent victims in its time, but surely few can have suffered from its shortcomings more than Bradford man Michael Robinson.

Mr Robinson had an affair with a young woman who later had a child which, she told him, was his. Later, though, she denied that he was the father and the relationship ended. Then, two years later, the CSA started to take maintenance payments directly from his salary for the child: £400 a month at first, rising by stages to £800 despite his protestations of innocence. The strain on Mr Robinson was such that a new, steady relationship ended, his savings ran out, he lost his home and then he was forced to give up his job.

Mr Robinson has now had a DNA test carried out which proved he was not the father of the little girl. But his life has been left in a mess. And, it seems, it is all thanks to the CSA's high-handed attitude and lack of proper procedures to conduct necessary checks. It surely would be a simple matter to arrange for a DNA test at the outset of each case, to save distress caused by false accusations or mistakes.

The CSA was set up with the best of intentions. However, it has acquired an appalling reputation and the Government has agreed to look at it. This case shows how badly a review is needed. The CSA is illogical, intransigent and remote, and can make sweeping assumptions which can destroy people's careers and lives.

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