(Source: "Royal Colleage of Midwives backs abortion up to birth" by James Midred of CARE)
The head of The Royal College of Midwives has come under stinging criticism from MPs and pro-life campaigners after she signed up to a campaign seeking to decriminalise abortion.
The RCM released an updated statement on abortion last week and said it supported a campaign being run by BPAS (British Pregnancy Advisory Service) which wants to allow abortion right up until birth.
But Cathy Warwick is now facing mounting pressure to resign from her post after it emerged that she failed to consult members and also failed to mention her decision to the board of the RCM.
The Daily Mail also reported that as well as being Chief Executive of the RCM, Professor Warwick is also chairman of BPAS, prompting the Head of the Christian Medical Fellowship, Dr Peter Saunders to call for her to resign.
MPs from across the House of Commons also expressed outrage at the RCM's support for abortion right up until birth.
Fiona Bruce MP, CCF's Patron and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Pro-life Group told the Mail: “To propose abortion up to birth for any reason at all is, I believe, completely out of step both with the society and many of society’s representatives in Parliament. We need to stand against this.”
Labour MP Rob Flello said: “I am utterly and completely appalled by this abhorrent proposal. This wasn’t a minor policy shift by the Royal College of Midwives, it was a fundamental change and the reason they didn’t ask their members is because they knew they wouldn’t get it past them.”
Jim Shannon, DUP MP added: “I will ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had, or will have, with the RCM and BPAS. My concern is that scrapping the 24-week cut-off would be absolutely disgraceful.”
The Conservative Government has no plans to amend the 24-limit or weaken abortion laws.
Not in Our Name has started a campaign for midwives to sign an open letter to Cathy Warwick and members of the public to sign a petition.