‘Strip abortion provider of its licence’, pro-life groups demand following scandalous revelations
Two of the country’s most prominent pro-life groups have formed a united front to have Marie Stopes stripped of its abortion licence in light of recent scandals and in the wake of a probe which has lifted the lid on the nation’s shameful abortion industry.
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) and Life have launched the petition in the wake of revelations alleging that the country’s second largest abortion provider - Marie Stopes - has been approving thousands of abortions without meeting women, with some discussions of the reason for the abortion lasting as little as 22 seconds.
It has been reported that the organisation has been signing off abortions following short telephone conversations, without the woman seeing the two doctors who authorise the abortion.
Undercover reporters also allege that following a telephone consultation, the official note of the woman’s reason for having the abortion was completely different from what she had said on the phone.
The petition has been launched after an investigation allegedly uncovered practices which both groups say makes a mockery of the law.
John Smeaton, chief executive of SPUC, said:
"If true these allegations are nothing less than a scandal and demonstrate exactly how the abortion industry regularly and with impunity makes a mockery of the law.
"Recent Care Quality Commission reports have detailed quite horrific criticisms of Marie Stopes.
"So it does not come as so much of a surprise to discover that apparently doctors have been approving thousands of abortions without meeting women, with some discussions of the reason for the abortion lasting as little as 22 seconds."
Life chief executive, Stephen Sharpe, said:
"Last year, the Care Quality Commission uncovered a catalogue of dangerous and illegal practices at Marie Stopes International private abortion clinics.
"In view of such appalling treatment of women, treatment which is perhaps not surprising in view of their callous disregard for unborn children, we are calling on the Secretary of State for Health to withdraw from Marie Stopes International (MSI) their licence to carry out abortions."
SPUC is the world’s longest established pro-life organisation and was founded 50 years ago. Life was set up in 1970 on the principle that it is not enough simply to oppose abortion but that positive alternatives should also be provided.
Mr Smeaton added:
"It beggars belief that such sham consultations are allegedly taking place and it is tantamount to the most neglectful mistreatment of women, not to mention their unborn babies, in the relentless pursuit of cash.
"These alleged revelations come not long after MSI had to suspend abortions after it was blasted by the CQC for putting women at risk by failing to adequately train staff and neglecting to obtain proper consent from the woman.
"MSI was also condemned for throwing the bodies of aborted babies into open bins."
Mr Smeaton added:
"If true these revelations prove there is an inherent lack of care for women on the part of an abortion industry which chases profit, much of it provided by the taxpayer through NHS funds.
"There is clearly a complete disregard both for the law and for human life."
Mr Sharpe said:
"This investigation shows that Marie Stopes’ promises that they have improved their ‘service’ since the CQC inspection are completely empty. Two doctors signing off abortions in good faith is a key requirement of the Act. The government must move now to revoke the license of this organisation which blatantly flouts the law and is so cavalier with the lives and health of women."
Notes to editors:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
(For SPUC) Dr Anthony McCarthy: Tel 07883 107358 or Antonia Tully on 07926 007175
(For LIFE) Anne Scanlan: Tel 07986 864560