Cardinal's Nazi jibe 'risks Scottish jobs'

Published on Friday 31 October 2008 09:02

CARDINAL Keith O'Brien, the leader of Scotland's Roman Catholics, was today at the centre of a fresh row over his comments likening embryo research to Nazi experiments.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott claimed the remarks could have endangered Scottish jobs in the life sciences industry.

The cardinal's comments have already been condemned as "unacceptable" by medical expert and Labour peer Lord Winston.

The controversy was sparked by an open letter from Cardinal O'Brien to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, attacking the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.

He said the Bill would allow tissue to be taken from incapacitated adults and children without their consent.

He continued: "Removing parts of people's bodies without consent utterly flies in the face of BMA and GMC guidance. Such behaviour was last seen under the Nazis."

Mr Scott raised the matter at First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament yesterday, asking Alex Salmond if he believed it was "the right sort of language to use".

Mr Salmond said the Bill's proposals were a matter of personal conscience. And he added: "I am sure that members would at no stage deny Scotland's cardinal or any other person the right of free speech."

But Mr Scott said life sciences was one of Scotland's priority industries. "Equivocation is not an option when language about Nazis could put Scottish jobs at risk."