John Deighan has a wealth of experience in political campaigning and media engagement
A new research directorate has also been set up.
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) has confirmed the appointment of John Deighan as its new deputy chief executive.
Mr Deighan has been chief executive of SPUC Scotland for the last three years and will continue in that post while he takes on new responsibilities for SPUC’s overall operations.
Combating growing threats from abortion lobby
Mr Deighan said: "I am very much looking forward to my enhanced role. This additional responsibility gives SPUC the opportunity to strengthen the vital pro-life work we do across the UK.
"Pro-abortion campaigners have revealed the extent of their ambitions, such as abortion on demand until birth, the unsupervised use of abortion pills and the suppression of pro-life speech. We therefore have an urgent task of restoring a proper sense of human rights to ensure our society can flourish in future and that all lives can be respected."
The new deputy role is part of a structural re-organisation in the Society which includes the setting up of a research directorate headed by Dr Anthony McCarthy. This further investment in research work will provide a foundation for SPUC's efforts to spread the pro-life message, Mr Deighan said.
Wealth of experience
Mr Deighan has a strong track record in political campaigning and media engagement on ethical issues over more than 20 years at both the Scottish and Westminster Parliaments. He was the architect of several successful campaigns to resist assisted suicide proposals in the Scottish Parliament over more than 15 years, has appeared regularly in the print media and on TV and radio as a spokesperson for SPUC and in previous roles, and has hugely built up SPUC Scotland's presence and campaigns in the last three years.
Mr Deighan is also secretary to the SPUC Trust for the last three years with a responsibility for the Abortion Recovery Care and Helpline (ARCH), and has managed to grow the counselling work and revitalise this important part of SPUC’s work.
He said: "More women are seeking help, more befrienders are now trained, and the profile of the organisation is growing steadily."
Strengthening SPUC's work
John Smeaton, SPUC’s CEO, commented: "I relish the opportunity of working more closely with John Deighan in his new role as SPUC’s overall deputy chief executive, whilst continuing his essential chief executive role in Scotland.
"John Deighan is passionate about the pro-life cause and effective in communicating the importance of the cause to others," he continued. "He works enthusiastically to create and develop opportunities for enhancing the effectiveness of initiatives to promote justice for the unborn and the vulnerable...John Deighan’s appointment will hugely strengthen the work of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children throughout Britain, Northern Ireland and internationally."
News in brief: