Archbishop seeks free vote on embryos

Mar 24 2008 by Lisa Jones, South Wales Echo

THE leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Cardiff has called for a free vote for MPs on embryo research legislation.

The Most Reverend Peter Smith wants Labour MPs to be able to vote freely on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, when it comes before the House of Commons later this year.

Some aspects of the bill, such as the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos for medical research, have troubled the consciences of some catholic MPs, the Archbishop has said.

Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy, who has recently been part of the Archbishop’s congregation, is reportedly prepared to quit the Cabinet rather than vote for the bill.

The bill will have a three-line whip taking it through Parliament, meaning MPs would be expected to vote along party lines, rather than with their own consciences.

Archbishop Smith said: “I have written to the Prime Minister, asking him that, in view of these very important issues which touch on the sacredness of human life, its meaning and purpose, would he please grant a free vote, because that is what is really required.”

A Labour peer, Lord Winston, has accused the leader of Scotland’s Catholic Church of misleading the public over the government’s embryo research proposals.

Cardinal Keith O’Brien used his Easter Sunday sermon to criticise the legislation. He described it as a “monstrous attack on human rights, human dignity and human life”.