The head of The Royal College of Midwives has come under stinging criticism from MPs and pro-life campaigners after she signed up to a campaign seeking to decriminalise abortion.

The RCM released an updated statement on abortion last week and said it supported a campaign being run by BPAS (British Pregnancy Advisory Service) which wants to allow abortion right up until birth.

But Cathy Warwick is now facing mounting pressure to resign from her post after it emerged that she failed to consult members and also failed to mention her decision to the board of the RCM.

The Daily Mail reported that as well as being Chief Executive of the RCM, Professor Warwick is also chairman of BPAS, prompting the Head of the Christian Medical Fellowship, Dr Peter Saunders to call for her to resign.

MPs from across the House of Commons also expressed outrage at the RCM's support for abortion right up until birth.

Fiona Bruce MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Pro-life Group told the Mail: “To propose abortion up to birth for any reason at all is, I believe, completely out of step both with the society and many of society’s representatives in Parliament. We need to stand against this.”

Labour MP Rob Flello said: “I am utterly and completely appalled by this abhorrent proposal. This wasn’t a minor policy shift by the Royal College of Midwives, it was a fundamental change and the reason they didn’t ask their members is because they knew they wouldn’t get it past them.”

Jim Shannon, DUP MP added: “I will ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had, or will have, with the RCM and BPAS. My concern is that scrapping the 24-week cut-off would be absolutely disgraceful.”

James Mildred, spokesman for CARE told the Mail: “What sort of message does the RCM’s radical stance on abortion send to pro-life midwives? It is tragic.”

A new campaign called Not in Our Name has been set up and the website allows you to sign an open letter to Cathy Warwick if you are a midwife or sign a public petition if you are a member of the public.

You can visit the Not in Our Name website here.

Over the weekend, CARE Chief Executive Nola Leach wrote for the Belfast Newsletter about the RCM’s abortion stance. You can read the piece here.

Image taken from the Gov website