Closure of abortion clinic is another step in the right direction

The quiet and unexpected closure of a West Midlands abortion clinic is another step in the right direction.

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The quiet and unexpected closure of a West Midlands abortion clinic is another step in the right direction.

The clinic, which ceased operations on 31 March, was one of over 50 abortion facilities operated by Britain's largest private abortion provider, the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS).

Volunteers for 40 Days for Life have held seven vigils outside the Leamington Spa clinic since 2012. 40 Days for Life hold peaceful community-based campaigns that involves prayer and fasting, vigils outside abortion clinics and community outreach, over a 40-day period.

The 40 Days for Life Autumn 2015 initiative to end abortion saw at least 19 babies saved in the UK, and 543 babies saved worldwide. Almost 12,000 babies have been saved through the campaign since 2007.

Robert Colquhoun, International Outreach Director for 40 Days for Life expressed delight at the clinic’s closure and was thankful "that no more babies will be aborted at that centre".

A ploy?

Last year, a notice on a BPAS news website revealed that, in a "first for the UK", an abortion facility was to close as a "direct result" of pro-life campaigning. The notice, read: "An abortion clinic is to close as a direct result of protest activity – a first in the UK."

However, concerns were raised that BPAS were using the facility’s closure as a ploy to introduce so-called ‘Buffer Zones’ around abortion clinics.

Both Labour MP Dianne Abbott and Green MP Caroline Lucas called for the creation of "buffer zones" around abortion facilities, claiming that the behaviour of pro-life campaigners is "intimidating".

Strong rebuttal

Andy Stephenson, of pro-life education group Abort67, issued a strong rebuttal to accusations of intimidation, saying:

"Those who want to protect the interests of the abortion industry are resorting to scare tactics and false accusation. We do not intimidate or threaten, we just allow people to see the reality of abortion.

"No evidence has been produced to support these spurious allegations. BPAS has cameras at its clinics. If it is aware of activity that it thinks the police are missing, then surely it has a duty to submit that video material and lodge a formal complaint, rather than making vague assertions.

"The police are fully aware of our work. They are not calling for any further powers.

"We invite any politicians with concerns to come and visit one of our public education campaigns and to see what we are doing, rather than rely on hearsay.

"Abortion protests itself when people are allowed to see what it really involves. If an abortion clinic is to close as a result of our activities, then it simply shows the power of telling the truth about abortion.

"The abortion industry is now so rattled by us exposing the truth about abortion that it is calling for draconian restrictions on freedom of expression to protect its vested interests. It seems that when it comes to abortion, the truth is bad for business."

No complaints over pro-life campaigners

Junior Health Minister, Ben Gummer, has revealed that there have been no complaints from NHS staff over the behaviour of pro-life campaigners.

Labour MP Cat Smith tabled a written question asking whether the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, "has received any representations from NHS staff who feel they are being harassed outside NHS buildings by protesters."

In response, 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."