Washington, Sept 7 (ANI): Madonna and hubby Guy Ritchie have begun the next stage in their adoption of Malawian toddler David Banda by opening their doors to official Simon Chisale.

Mr Chisale, Malawi's chief social welfare official, had replaced Penston Kilembe, the director of Malawi's child welfare services after the latter was accused of taking money from Madonna and Ritchie.

Mr Chisale took over from Kilembe earlier this month, and on Wednesday, Sept 5, paid the star couple a visit at their London home to judge whether or not they would make fit parents from baby David, reports Contactmusic.

Madonna, in the meanwhile, hit back at claims that she and hubby Guy Ritchie used their star status to speed up the adoption of Malawian toddler David Banda.

In a statement, Madonna's spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg said that the adoption was going according to plans set out nearly a year ago.

"The plans to finalise the adoption of Madonna and Guy Ritchie's son David are proceeding as outlined almost a year ago, the day the Malawian Government granted them their 'interim' adoption," Rosenberg said.

"There has been absolutely no interference with Government Officials or use of Madonna's 'celebrity' to speed up this adoption as reported.

"All appropriate legal requirements are being followed, including a home visit," she said.

Baby David has been living with Madonna and Ritchie ever since October 2006 after being placed in an orphanage by his father Yohane Banda following the death of his mother.

Madonna met baby David while in Malawi to launch a project to help the country's two million Aids orphans. (ANI)