Scottish Catholic Observer

Concepta Wood and Mary Doogan lost a case at the Supreme Court at the end of last year after judges ruled they do not have the right to avoid supervising staff involved in abortions.

Paul Tully, general secretary of SPUC, said legal precedent suggests costs would be awarded to the midwives resulting in a bill of up to £300,000. He added that his organisation would raise the money through fundraising efforts.

“Concepta Wood and Mary Doogan have been extremely courageous in taking on this battle, and there is no way we would put them in the position of having to face these costs on their own,” Mr Tully said.

The midwives had fought for three years for their right to avoid taking part in abortions because of their conscientious objections—a right allowed under the 1967 Abortion Act. Despite appeal court judges ruling in their favour, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde took the case to the Supreme Court, which subsequently ruled last December that staff involved in managerial and supervisory roles were not seen as ‘participating’ in abortion under the 1967 act and could thus not conscientiously object.