FATHERS will be angry after a county council confessed to ignoring them when it comes to their children’s needs.

An unnamed man was frozen out by East Sussex County Council’s social services team who admitted to a culture of not talking to dads.

While the authority has responded candidly, such a prejudicial mindset could have caused untold damage to this family and perhaps many more.

Fathers who have dealt with the authority may well now question whether their treatment has been fair and equal.

Groups like Fathers4Justice are dismissed as extremists.

But the evidence here suggests there is a degree of legitimacy to their cause – however ill-judged some of their tactics may be.

Sadly for fathers unfairly separated and distanced from their children the group’s antics may have done as much damage as good.

What is undisputable is that in almost all circumstances where both parents are fit and willing, children need to have the right balance between mothers and fathers no matter what the acrimony between a couple.

Perhaps this case will serve as a timely wake-up call.