Please support Margaret Forrester, a Mental Health worker who was accused of "gross misconduct" by the NHS - All she did was hand a booklet to a colleague on the effects of abortion

Margaret Forrester - a brave woman in need of
our support

On 15 November the Central London Employment Tribunal will hear the case of Margaret Forrester, a 39-year-old Mental Health worker who was recently suspended and disciplined by the Central London NHS Trust for handing a booklet to an NHS receptionist.

The booklet, called Forsaken, is a collection of personal stories on the way abortion can affect women. After a written warning and because she refused to move to another department, Forrester was eventually dismissed. According to the Central London NHS Trust, the handing out of the booklet was an act of "gross misconduct", and Margaret Forrester was charged by the Trust with distributing "material which individuals may find offensive."

Margaret Forrester is being represented by Mr Neil Addison, Barrister and Director of the Thomas More Legal Centre. The Centre is emphasising that the the case will be an important one not just for Catholics and other Christians but for everyone who believes in freedom of speech. Below is a brief description of the case so far, which - I am sure you will agree - really does suggest that our society is becoming more and more Orwellian and anti-freedom of speech by the day.

Whilst chatting with an NHS colleague who worked as a receptionist organising abortion appointments, Margaret Forrester gave her a copy of Forsaken, which highlights the stories of five women who have had abortions. The booklet is a forum for these women to talk about their experience of abortion and how it affected them. Within a few days of giving this pamphlet to one of her work colleagues, Margaret was suspended and subsequently disciplined for "gross misconduct". It seems that the health worker, who has many years of valuable experience, objected to an enforced transfer when she was told she would be moved to another department. Because of this refusal to move, Margaret was eventually dismissed from her job with the NHS.

Those working on Margaret Forrester's case feel that it is very important to note that Forsaken was not given to an NHS patient and that it was never suggested by Margaret that it should be given to any patient. It also appears that the conversation between Margaret and her colleague was cordial and the receptionist in question did not object to receiving the booklet. It was not forced on her. Bizarrely, it seems that the NHS will not even be calling Margaret's former colleague - the receptionist - as a witness in the Employment case! Seeing that this colleague is the only person whom Margaret could have offended, it seems very odd that the NHS Trust will not be calling on her to give evidence in support of its case.

It seems that Forsaken is a booklet in which five different women talk openly about their own experiences of abortion and how affected them. It does not call abortion a sin, although some of the women who share their stories in the booklet describe abortion as a sin within their own narratives.The Thomas More Legal Centre also point out that Forsaken does not contain any graphic images or descriptions of abortion, and that Margaret had no reason to think that there was anything wrong in handing this booklet to her colleague - she had never been told that she was not allowed to do so.

It seems that the NHS Trust has already argued that its reason for disciplining Margaret Forrester was based on the seeming fact that Forsaken offers a "religious view" on abortion. It would appear then, that the Central London NHS Trust openly admits to the fact that it objects to religious literature - one therefore wonders whether NHS hospitals still stock Gideon bibles? One of the main objections the Central London NHS Trust had to the booklet was a story in which one of the women who has had an abortion said that she now regards what she did as a sin. Of course, as a Mental Health worker Margaret had a duty of care to her patients and should always be concerned to know whether women who have had abortions would suffer mental health problems afterwards. Those left scarred by the experience must have the freedom to explain their trauma in language that is pertinent to their situation, whilst those who try and help these women must surely be allowed to take a person-centred approach in the way they offer help. If a woman now realises that abortion is a sin, what right does the NHS have to call this language "offensive"?

It would seem that the NHS has stifled freedom of speech in the way it has dealt with Margaret Forrester. For that reason, the Thomas More Legal Centre will also like to bring a case under the Human Rights Act, arguing that Margaret's right to freedom of speech has been breached. As the Centre is representing Margaret on a pro bono basis, it will need to build up a fund to cover her liability for costs should she lose. Therefore the Thomas More Legal Centre is currently appealing for funds - and is grateful for any support we can offer. The Centre would also be grateful for prayers in support of Margaret's case, especially around the time the hearing is fue to start, on 15 November. Details of how to donate can be found on the Thomas More Legal Centre website.

It seems that a certain section in society, especially the so-called "liberal" parts of the state that tend toward secularism, really has it in for people of faith, or for anyone with an individual conscience. We appear to live in a society that actively encourages sin, and is therefore deeply angered and offended when those with a moral compass chose to discuss wrong-doing in its fullest sense - the harm that our own actions, even if they happen to be legal, can cause ourselves or others. We also live in a time when the state seems to back the notion that no-one can do wrong if whatever they choose to do makes them "feel" good - even if the long-term consequences lead to trauma, depression, and the like.

It would therefore seem that  there is some Orwellian attempt to condone every wrong action and condemn every right one. In times such as ours, then, those brave people who speak the truth in love are losing their freedom of speech. Those who are genuinely concerned for the moral and emotional welfare of their fellow men and women are being actively silenced, humiliated and punished by loss of income and work, all because we live in a time when it's good to offend the good but bad to cause offence to those who do wrong.

St Thomas More, pray for us!

[Image: Margaret Forrester; source: LifeSiteNews]