The BBC's Linda Duffin reports: "What's more, he said he'd do it again"

Former professional footballer Wayne Jackson, 35, is angry at the way he has been pilloried in the press for his decision, which he claims were in daughter Chloe's "best interests".

The former-Bradford and Port Vale winger is unlikely to face prosecution for leaving Chloe at Holbeck police station in Leeds.

Legal experts said the police station would be deemed a "safe place" to leave the child.

But Mr Jackson blames the child's mother Gayle Atha, 24, from whom he is separated, for the situation. He told the BBC's Linda Duffin that he would be consulting a lawyer when he returns to England on Saturday.

He says Ms Atha called him over to her house for a talk, saying she had to pop out, but she failed to return.

Mr Jackson said his family's £450 package holiday was in ruins as a result of the furore surrounding his actions, which has led to his holiday apartment being besieged by photographers and reporters.

Mr Jackson was late for a £450 family package holiday

He said: "She portrays herself as such a caring and conscientious mother, which I'm not saying she's not - don't get me wrong.

"But surely she would have made a phone call saying 'Sorry, I am late, I am on my way' - then none of this would be happening.

"I know that at the end of the day, Chloe was safe.

"The police had all the relevant names and addresses that I had at my disposal to make sure she was fine."

Wayne Jackson speaking to the BBC's Linda Duffin: "Surely she could have made a phone call"

But after reporters tracked him down to the San Antonio Bay resort on the holiday island, he said he had done "nothing wrong".

"I'm one of the best dads in the world. No one looks after my children better than me," he said.

"If I had dumped Chloe in a cardboard box I could understand the outrage, but what more could I have done?"

'Pack of lies'

When asked if he would consider legal action he said: "Through litiation? Probably, yes. A lot of what has been said has been a pack of lies."

Ms Atha said Mr Jackson had told her the holiday was off and that she asked him to look after Chloe because her mother, who normally babysits, was recovering from an operation.

She told The Express newspaper: "What normal married man agrees to babysit on the day he is taking his wife and two kids away to Spain?

"He is trying to wriggle out of it."