'My dad does not neglect his autistic grandson'

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1055646/My-dad-does-neglect-

autistic-grandson-Sir--Majors-son-defends-PM.html

'My dad does not neglect his autistic grandson': Sir Major's son

defends former PM

By Dan Newling

Last updated at 2:20 PM on 14th September 2008

Sir Major's son has furiously denied his ex-wife's astonishing

claim that the former Prime Minister neglects his autistic grandson.

Emma Noble bitterly accused and Norma Major of being 'distant'

and failing to even send a card to celebrate their grandson Harry's

eighth birthday.

The former glamour model - who split from Major after four

years of marriage - went on to claim that the Majors showed

a 'distinct lack of support'.

Although both Sir and his wife have not commented personally on

the deeply damaging accusations, yesterday his son, Major, came

to his parents' support.

The 33-year-old said: 'I reject the wholly false and hurtful

allegations made about my parents. Harry has brought great joy into

our lives and mum and dad could not love him more.

'They see him whenever he is with me and have taken a close interest

in all aspects of his welfare since the day he was born.

'As for ignoring Harry's birthday, any or all cards or presents for

Harry are always given to me. Mum and dad have always been there for

Harry - and always will be.'

A striking blonde, Emma Noble married Major - who is five years

her junior - a year after the couple first met in 1998.

However, just four years later they divorced on grounds of

unreasonable behaviour, following allegations that she had an affair.

The couple's only son Harry, now eight, was diagnosed as autistic

shortly before his third birthday.

Previously Miss Noble was thought to have enjoyed a good relationship

with her former parents in law. She lives just a few miles from them

in Cambridgeshire.

However, in an interview in last Saturday's Daily Mail, the 37-year-

old launched an astonishing broadside at the family.

She said: 'When Harry was born, Norma and came with a camera and

took pictures,' she said. 'He was their only grandchild.

'But we didn't live near them and they're busy people. I wanted them

to have a relationship with Harry and . Now I realise that my

expectations of the big, happy family spending all their spare time

together were unreal.'

She added: 'I just feel Harry deserves more involvement. I would like

them to realise what a wonderful boy he is. I can't understand how

they wouldn't want to be more involved, can't imagine them not

wanting to be. I hope that things will change.'

She claimed that she wrote to Sir and asked him to get in

contact if he wanted information about Harry's autism, but she

received no reply.

She added: " Harry sees his father every other weekend, but - as far

as I know - he doesn't see his grandparents that often. I'm not

asking for anything other than a phone call, an interest - Harry

deserves that. "

Miss Noble went on to describe Norma Major as 'in some ways' kind and

claimed that Major is the product of 'distant' parenting.

Last night, a spokesman for Sir and Dame Norma rejected Miss

Noble's criticism.

The spokesman said: 'Sir and Dame Norma strenuously reject any

suggestion that they are not responsible and loving grandparents.

'Harry is and always will be a profound and joyful part of their

lives. Since his birth they have contributed and will continue to

contribute significantly to his well-being.'