New anti-abortion campaign to combat legalisation of terminations ‘up until the point of birth’

An anti-abortion campaign intended to combat moves which could see terminations legalised “up until the point of birth” when the matter is devolved to Holyrood has been launched.

The Don’t Stop a Beating Heart coalition has been formed amid a “clamour” to increase the 24-week limit on terminations which the group believes is already too liberal.

While First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said the limit will not be altered when the matter is devolved to Holyrood as part of the Scotland Bill, her predecessor Alex Salmond as well as former Health Secretary Alex Neil both favoured tightening of the limit.

Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, head of the Catholic Church in Scotland, is among those backing the new campaign.

He said: “I wholeheartedly support the aims of the Don’t Stop a Beating Heart campaign to defend and protect unborn human life and to call legislators not to further extend abortion time limits.”

John Deighan, the campaign co-ordinator said: “The rights of the unborn child are facing new threats with the impending devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament from Westminster.

“Already, well in advance of the transfer of legislative authority, we are hearing a clamour for further extension of the existing excessively liberal law. This could see abortion legalised from the existing 24-week limit, in most cases, up until the point of birth.

“In response to these deeply disconcerting demands, pro-life supporters from different backgrounds, people of faith and none, in addition to concerned organisations and individuals have decided that we must stand together in the face of this onslaught.”

Mr Deighan also heads the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) Scotland which has garnered support from social care and religious groups and will organise the activities of supporters.

But Ann Henderson, of the Scottish branch of pro-choice group Abortion Rights, said: “This coalition speaks for those who do not actually support women’s access to safe, legal abortion services in Scotland. It is nothing to do with a debate about time limits, and is out of step with the majority of public opinion.

“We do not want to see a return to the days of untold harm to women seeking backstreet abortions prior to the 1967 Abortion Act.

“Chipping away at aspects of that legal framework is a tactic in a campaign to remove legalised abortion services, as we can see from the tactics of anti-abortionists in the US.”