London, : The Government has confirmed that no complaints have been received from NHS staff about so-called 'protests' by pro-lifers outside NHS hospitals.
Ben Gummer, a junior health minister, confirmed the fact in a parliamentary answer to a question tabled by Cat Smith MP. Ms Smith asked whether the Secretary of State for Health "has received any representations from NHS staff who feel they are being harassed outside NHS buildings by protesters."
Mr Gummer replied: "There have been no representations from National Health Service staff who feel they are being harassed outside NHS buildings by protesters. Although protesters are democratically entitled to make their views known on abortion and other issues and can do so outside NHS hospitals and other NHS buildings, we would condemn any harassment of NHS staff, patients and others."
Paul Tully, deputy CEO of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) commented: "The abortion industry's allegations of harassment against peaceful pro-life pavement counsellors indicate how ruthless they are in pursuit of their financial goals - they want to do as many abortions as possible, and they want the NHS to fund them.
"Many commercial abortion agencies now operate 'abortion franchises' within NHS premises. This campaign against pro-life help for mothers was started by commercial abortion companies. They lose substantial fees every time an anxious young woman chooses to give her baby the gift of life, instead of going ahead with an abortion. Abortion agencies offer no alternatives to pregnant mothers - only abortion.
"By contrast, pro-life pavement counsellors offer women free help, motivated by love of mothers and babies. They reach out to women in a lawful and quiet manner."
Watch this video in which one woman explains how pro-life pavement counsellors helped her to continue her pregnancy:
For more detailed comments or to request an interview with Paul Tully, please contact Anthony Ozimic, SPUC's Director of Communications, on: