A Catholic MP says he is “hugely disappointed” with the response of the Prime Minister to his concerns over the conscience clause of the current abortion law.
Tom Clarke submitted a written question to David Cameron earlier this month asking that those opposed to abortion who worked in administrative positions in the NHS would not be required to participate in the organisation of terminations.
Now the 74-year-old Labour member for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill has written a letter to the Prime Minister after saying he was “hugely disappointed” by Mr Cameron’s response, describing it as “appalling” that Mr Cameron did not reply to him directly but instead left Jane Ellison, a junior Minister in the Department for Health to respond.
Mr Clarke, who has been an MP since 1982, wants a clarification of the conscientious objection clause in the abortion law after two Catholic midwives failed to convince the Supreme Court that they should be excused from delegating, supervising and supporting staff involved in terminations.
The Supreme Court ruling says that conscientious objection only applies to those who participate in procedures or treatments that lead to an abortion. Mr Clarke now believes the 1967 Abortion Act should be amended.
In her reply Ms Ellison simply restated the Supreme Court decision and did not address whether the law should be amended.
In his latest letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Clarke writes: “I fully expected a reply from you confirming that your Government would offer protection to those who regard the court’s findings as being inconsistent with their conscience, their human rights and their decisions to have no involvement with abortions being carried out.”
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