House of Lords debate adjourned
Many of the speakers at yesterdays
debate spoke against Government plans to remove the requirement that
IVF providers consider the need of a child for a father when
considering IVF applications.Headlines
Please pray for the health and swift recovery of Lord Brennan, who collapsed yesterday shortly after delivering a powerful speech at the debate on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. The debate was adjourned and will continue on Wednesday. All of the speeches so far can be read by following the link below.
Please continue to pray for the remaining speakers of the debate as they prepare for its commencement on Wednesday.
Links
Read the 1st half of yesterdays debate on Hansard (at Column 663)
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldhansrd/text/71119-0002.htm#0711193000002
Read the 2nd half of yesterdays debate (at Column 704)
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldhansrd/text/71119-0008.htm#0711199000001
Read Lord Brennan’s speech (at Column 727)
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldhansrd/text/71119-0011.htm
BBC Coverage
No Free vote on the need for a Father
Many of the speakers at yesterdays debate spoke against Government plans to remove the requirement that IVF providers consider the need of a child for a father when considering IVF applications. Further controversy was sparked last night when it was reported that Gordon Brown would not allow Labour MPs to have a free vote on this issue of conscience. One Labour MP, Geraldine Smith, stated that she would deny any order to back the legislation, saying “Can you imagine a child who has a birth certificate with two females as mother and father? It's nonsense. It's madness." The Conservative Party will allow a free vote on the issue.
It is now important to continue writing to the Prime Minister asking him to allow a free vote on this and on the hybrid embryo issue in the Bill. Also please write to David Cameron commending him on his decision to allow a free vote on fathers, and asking him to take a public stand for the family in how he votes.
Links
Article in the Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/11/20/nembryo120.xml
BBC Article summarising debate of the issue in the Lords
Bunnygirls and cowboys protest outside Parliament
During the debate a protest was taking place on Parliament square against the legalisation of animal-human hybrid embryos. Girls in bunny masks and boys in cow masks held up signs which read “No animal human hybrids”.
To see footage of the protest use the links below.
CCFONtv 3 minute video of protest and interviews
Photos of the protest
http://www.ccfon.org/ccfontv.php
Jerry Springer Case moves to High Court
A private prosecution for blasphemy in the case of Jerry Springer the Opera moves to the High Court today. Stephen Green, National Director of Christian Voice, is seeking to prosecute Mark Thompson, Director General of the BBC, and Jonathan Thoday of producers Avalon, following a theatre tour of the show last year and its transmission on BBC2 in January 2005. The High Court action is in Court 2 at 10.30am on Tuesday 20th November 2007 before Lord Justice Hughes and Mr Justice Collins.
In January this year, Stephen Green asked Horseferry Road Magistrates Court to issue a summons for a private prosecution against Messrs Thompson and Thoday but District Judge Caroline Tubbs refused the application. The High Court action is to seek judicial review of the District Judge's decision. Stephen Green, National Director of Christian Voice, said today: 'I hope and pray the High Court will overturn the District Judge's refusal to issue a summons and allow the prosecution to proceed.'
Links
Article in the Guardian
