A LEOMINSTER grandfather is calling for an “unfair” Scottish law to be scrapped so he can finally make contact with his long-lost twin sister.

Christopher Kelly, 74, was separated from his sister Catherine when they were just children and until 20 years ago he had no idea she even existed.

Since that shock discovery, he has painstakingly attempted to find his sister but has been left frustrated by a Scottish law which means her records are sealed for a century.

Mr Kelly is now calling for that law to be changed and has written to the first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, for help.

“Her case file is closed for 100 years. The only way for us to get in contact would be for her to find me, I can’t find her,” said Mr Kelly.

“A law is a law and if it’s a good law that’s fine but this isn’t. I’m now waiting for a reply from Nicola Sturgeon and then will write to the secretary of state for Scotland and then to my local MP. It’s gone too far to give up now.”

Mr Kelly, who has prostate cancer, always thought that the word “twin” marked on his birth certificate meant it was a duplicate copy.

It wasn’t until a solicitor looked at it 20 years ago that he realised it meant something different. He took to the internet to appeal for information and a family history researcher got in touch in a bid to help him.

He has since discovered three half-siblings, a brother and a sister which he didn’t know existed.

But he fears time is now running out to find Catherine, who is the missing link.

The pair were born in 1941 at Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow. Their mother, Catherine Kelly, was originally from Plean, near Stirling, and was separated from her husband.

The new identity of Mr Kelly’s twin is held by a court in Scotland but, as he is unable to view the official adoption register and find out exactly which court, he cannot apply for a sheriff to intervene.

“From a right to privacy point of view, nobody is trying to take that away,” said Mr Kelly, who lives with his wife, Dorota.

“If she doesn’t want contact that’s fine. All we are asking for is an intermediary to go between us. I can’t see the problem with that.

“It’s not an easy thing to do in England but it can be done. There’s no reason why it cannot be done in Scotland. This is mental torture.”

Children’s minister for the Scottish Government, Aileen Campbell, said that while no comment could be made on individual cases, the government recognises that some people want to trace family members who have been adopted.

Services are available to access information, where the adopted person has given their consent to be contacted by estranged relatives.

“The law covering the restriction of adoption papers is a safeguard for those who have been adopted, as well as birth relatives who might not want their details known,” she said.

“While there are no current plans to change the legislation, we have already committed to review what services are available to the birth relatives of adopted people. We are currently working with Birthlink and CELCIS to address which services could be improved and better promoted to ensure those affected receive the best possible support.

“Mr Kelly’s plight provides a poignant example of why we should consider what can be done to support relatives. The FM has received Mr Kelly’s letter and will reply shortly.”