Scottish Catholic Observer

During First Minister’s ­Questions on June 7, the MSP for Lothian Kezia Dugdale (right) said that in Northern Ireland ‘some women have received longer jail sentences for having had an abortion than were given to the men who raped them in the first place.’

The claim was questioned by the director of the Catholic Church’s Parliamentary Office, Anthony Horan, who subsequently called on Ms Dugdale to provide evidence for her claim.

“I can find no record of any woman ever being imprisoned for having an abortion in Northern Ireland. If Kezia Dugdale is aware of such cases perhaps she might disclose them,” he said.

A spokesman for the Church had said Ms Dugdale comments were ‘misleading.’

“Whether intentionally or unintentionally it is unclear,” he said. “This is a sensitive debate and it is crucial that all participants speak with accuracy and respect.”

The MSP has now written to Mr Horan, clarifying that a woman ‘could face a longer prison sentence than the person who attacked her,’ and adding that ‘the denial of human rights for women in Northern Ireland should concern any Christian organisation.’

Mr Horan said: “It is ­important to be clear that abortion is not an international human right. I did, however, agree that Christian organisations should be concerned about the denial of legitimate human rights and emphasised the Catholic Church’s belief that all human life is of inestimable value and worthy of protection, including the most defenceless and vulnerable in the womb.

“I also reminded Ms Dugdale that around 50 per cent of babies terminated are female and ­challenged her that surely their fundamental and basic right to life should not be denied.”

Mr Horan added that the MSP ‘did not respond directly to the allegation that she might have misled parliament.’