Urmstongran
Mind you Iam in series 2 Claire was often saying to Catherine “well he is his dad”. I think she has some misguided sympathy for Ryan’s situation. She thinks he ‘needs’ a dad in his life. Even a bad ‘un. You never know, maybe the scales will fall away from Ryan’s eyes yet.
Yes, I remember this and did wonder if she’d been persuaded by Ryan to talk about his dad, then help them write, later visit.
Legally, Claire is correct. The family courts start from the premise that children have a right to know about and have some form of contact with their birth parents.
But - in a case like this, if Tommy made an application for contact, it would go to a senior Judge and a Children’s Guardian would be appointed. Given the fact Tommy tried to kill Ryan’s grannie, his legal carer, direct contact via prison visits wouldn’t be the starting point.
I like my intimidation theory - but then I like Claire and Catherine and don’t like the idea of a huge fall out.