Gov U-Turn On Abortion Vote

The government has reversed its decision over the removal of the responsibility of charities and medics to provide counselling to women seeking an abortion.

On Wednesday, the Department of Health was expected to stop organisations such as Marie Stopes and the British Pregnancy Advisory Service providing counselling services to women contemplating abortions.

However, it emerged on Thursday that the Government will now advise MPs to vote against the proposals from a Conservative backbencher if they are put before the Commons next week.

The furore emerged after Conservative backbench MP Nadine Dorries and the Labour backbencher Frank Field proposed changes to abortion legislation, which they claimed would reduce the UKs record abortion rate.

The 'pro-life' campaign called for an end to the clinics offering compulsory counselling for abortions they would provide, and switching the service to independent organisations.

But, it has emerged that instead of going along with the amendment, David Cameron, Nick Clegg and other senior members of the government are now expected to vote against the Dorries amendment.

Campaigners believe the change would result in up to 60,000 fewer abortions each year in Britain and argue that as the charities who carry out abortion gain financially out of the procedures they should not be the ones to provide advice to women.

Speaking on Wednesday, MP Dorries said: "I'll say it again, no organisation which is paid for carrying out abortions and no organisation that thinks it's appropriate to bring God into a counselling session with a vulnerable woman, should be allowed anywhere near the counselling room."

However, Baroness Deech, who served for eight years as head of the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority, responded to the campaign saying the plans to offer all women thinking of have an abortion independent counselling were merely a "smokescreen" to limit a woman's right to choose.

The Baroness added that the measure would have the effect of reducing funding for charities, which offer abortions by removing the right for them to provide counselling themselves.

The government said it would continue to consult on ways to improve counselling services for women seeking a termination.

(DW/CD)