Thursday, August 16, 2012

Common sense triumphs over the NHS

Margaret Forester gave a book about abortion to am NHS colleague who was interested. The NHS has attempted to discipline her for being 'offensive'. It seems the case has been settled out of court, presumably to Ms Forester's satisfaction. Congratulations to her and to the Thomas Moore Legal Centre, who supported her, for standing up to the bullies.

PRESS RELEASE - NO RESTRICTIONS

Thomas More Legal Centre is pleased to announce that a negotiated settlement has been reached in the two cases being brought by Margaret Forrester against Central and North Western London NHS Foundation Trust. The terms of the settlement are private to both parties and except for this Press Release Margaret Forrester and Thomas More Legal Centre will not be making any further comment on the matter.

Margaret Forrester is a Roman Catholic who has religious and moral objections to Abortion. She was employed by the NHS as a Psychological Well Being Practitioner and was disciplined by the NHS after giving a work colleague a Booklet called "Forsaken" in which women who have had Abortions talk about their experience and its effects on them. She was disciplined by the NHS on a Gross Misconduct charge that alleged she had "distributed materials which individuals may find offensive".


Following her dismissal by the Trust in June 2011 Margaret Forrester brought Employment Tribunal proceedings for Unfair Dismissal, Religious Discrimination and Religious Harassment; also a separate High Court claim for breach of the Human Rights Act, Article 9 (Freedom of Religion), Article 10 (Freedom of Speech), Article 14 (Discrimination). As a result of this settlement those claims have been discontinued.

Margaret Forrester wishes to thank all those many people who have supported her and prayed for her throughout this difficult time and in particular has said that she wants to thank the Thomas More Legal Centre for its support and work on her behalf

Since her dismissal Margaret Forrester has been supported by the Thomas More Legal Centre which is a Charity that exists to defend religious freedom and freedom of expression. The Thomas More Legal Centre is privileged to have been able to represent Margaret Forrester in this important case and stands ready to support any other NHS employee who may find themselves being threatened for expressing religious or pro-life views.

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