Candidate Suspended Who OKd Mandatory Abortion of Disabled Children

International   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Dec 27, 2012   |   7:39PM   |   London, England

A British candidate for elected office who called for the mandatory abortion of disabled children has been suspended.

Geoffrey Clark, who sought a seat on the Kent County Council, set off a firestorm of criticism when he recommended that the National Health Service, the British government-run health care system, mandate that mothers of unborn children diagnosed with disabilities have abortions. he said such abortions would be a big help in reducing the nation’s debt, by supposedly cutting the medical and other costs associated with raising such children.

“[The NHS should review] compulsory abortion when the fetus is detected as having Down’s, spina bifida or similar syndrome which, if it is born, could render the child a burden on the state as well as the family,” he said.

Clark also upset pro-life advocates by supporting euthanasia, as England has constantly battled with campaigners who want to legalize assisted suicide.

“[L]egalizing euthanasia and giving free euthanasia advice to all folk over 80″ should be a part of the review, Clark said.

Clark was running on a smaller party ticket and that party has since suspended his placement on their ticket.

The UKIP Party also forthrightly suspended Clark and stated that even if he was elected, he would not be permitted to serve as a council member.

“The party was not aware of these views when it allowed him to stand under our name,” a spokesperson outlined. “Mr. Clark has been formally suspended as a UKIP candidate and will not be standing for the party again.”

“We would like to apologize to anyone who has suffered distress as a result of this matter,” the party added.

Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of Christian Concern, said: “Mr Clark’s views are abominable. They have no basis in Christian teaching whatsoever. The Bible is very clear that all people are made in the image of God. This means that all lives are worth living, with or without disability.

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“The suggestion to take away the lives of unborn children with Down’s syndrome or spina bifida is simply unjustifiable. It is very worrying that anyone would propose abortion as a way of saving money.”

Learning disability charity Mencap reacted strongly against Mr Clark’s proposals. Mark Goulding, the charity’s chief executive, said: “Much has been written about the Paralympics this summer changing attitudes towards disabled people for the better. It is abhorrent that Geoffrey Clark sees disabled people solely as a burden when people with a learning disability lead full lives and make valuable contributions to their communities and families.”