Shock at new illegal abortion guidance

A top gynaecologist and Marie Stopes director has admitted being behind guidance which warns doctors not to report a woman who has undergone an illegal abortion, without her consent. The apparent conflict of interests has prompted calls for an inquiry.

Any doctor reporting a suspected illegal abortion could face a disciplinary, imminent new guidance from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) will say. The RCOG said it is ‘never’ in the public interest to investigate and prosecute in such cases.

The guidance warns that medics reporting a woman for an illegal abortion could face fitness to practice proceedings for breaching patient confidentiality.

It was drawn up by a committee chaired by Dr Jonathan Lord, medical director at Marie Stopes International. Lord is also co-chair of the RCOG Abortion Taskforce and co-chair of the British Society of Abortion Care Providers.

Campaign group Right to Life UK described this as a clear conflict of interest – ‘pushing for reduced legal oversight into an area in which he has a significant stake’. Lord also appeared to have used the release of the guidance to pressurise MPs into voting for amendments to the Criminal Justice Act to decriminalise ‘self-abortions’ for any reason at any point up to birth.

Catherine Robinson, from Right to Life UK, said: ‘We are calling on the government to undertake an urgent inquiry into RCOG and the clear conflict of interest in having the medical director of one of the largest abortion providers author and issue this guidance.

‘It is deeply inappropriate for the RCOG to usurp Parliament by issuing guidance related to criminal investigations.’

David Smyth, former solicitor and now head of Evangelical Alliance (Northern Ireland) commented: ‘While these are very sensitive cases, it is not for the RCOG to determine what constitutes a crime. Politicians are elected to determine legislation in consultation with the public; the role of the police is to investigate and collect any evidence.

‘It is for the prosecuting authorities to assess the evidence and judge whether it is in the public interest to proceed with a prosecution. Finally, it is for the judiciary to deliver judgment and sentence accordingly. This separation of powers is vital and at each stage there is scope for discernment and the holding together of justice and mercy.

‘As an organisation which cares deeply for both lives in pregnancy, we are concerned about the impact of this guidance on women, unborn babies, medical professionals and public confidence.’