The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) has responded to the debate in Parliament today: Public order legislation relating to family planning clinics, led by Rupa Huq MP.

Dr Anthony McCarthy, SPUC’s Director of Communications and Education said:

"Rupa Huq, backed by the abortion industry, has been leading a concerted campaign to prevent women outside clinics being offered any choice other than abortion.

"Volunteers have been holding peaceful vigils outside abortion clinics for decades, giving up their own time to offer vital help to women in crisis pregnancies. Offering someone a leaflet is not harassment, and it is disingenuous to suggest it is, especially as Rupa Huq has repeatedly refused to meet any women who have actually been helped by pavement counsellors. 

She and other members made completely unsubstantiated allegations about pro-life groups, including that they stream on facebook live and use ‘medically misleading leaflets’.  

"Lives are saved and women saved from a lifetime of regret by people offering support outside clinics to women who often feel like they have no other option. The story of ‘Kate’, so movingly recounted by Sir Edward Leigh, is just one of many. It is vital that MPs defend the right to free speech and the right of women to accept help if they want it."