Souter enters debate over hybrid embryos

Published on Saturday 17 May 2008 19:38

THE multi-millionaire who triggered the bitter national debate over Section 28 today re-enters the fray over ethical issues, attacking plans by ministers to create so-called hybrid embryos and what he sees as attempts to airbrush fathers from new fertility laws.

Eight years after bankrolling a failed bid to keep the law banning the promotion of homosexuality in schools, Stagecoach founder Brian Souter has begun a fresh campaign, this time over the controversial Embryology Bill to be voted on by MPs this week.

The law proposed will allow the creation of embryos made up of animal and human tissue. MPs are also to be asked to vote on lowering the abortion age limit and on removing references to a father in fertility treatment cases.

Scotland on Sunday can reveal that Souter has already held meetings with Cabinet ministers and leading political figures in Scotland, demanding that they oppose the changes.

In an article for this newspaper today, Souter declares the reasons for his opposition to the new bill.

He claims plans to create hybrid embryos "cross an entirely new moral boundary and certainly seem to have struck a 'yuck factor' with the general public".

Souter also expresses his opposition to plans to change fertility law. At present, clinics must take into account the "need for a father" when assessing whether a woman can receive treatment. Under the new laws they only need take into account the need for "supportive parenting".

Souter says: "This surely sends the wrong message about responsible fatherhood at a time when new evidence confirms that our social problems are being exacerbated because of the lack of good male role models and the absence of a father's influence."

Souter also criticises Gordon Brown, who has said he will stick with the current 24-week abortion limit. "Aren't politicians supposed to lead and set the ethical agenda rather than the reverse?" he asks.

A source close to Souter said: "He believes strongly that politicians should be leading from the front and not simply taking the excuse of saying they will go with scientific advice."

Calum Irving, director of Stonewall Scotland, said last night: "It is concerning as no one person should have disproportionate influence on any equality matter. Money shouldn't be able to buy someone influence."

Souter's involvement comes after he gave the SNP 500,000 last year, a sum which was considered to be one of the key reasons for the Nationalists' success.

The businessman built his Stagecoach empire up from just a few buses. Along with his sister, Ann Gloag, he is estimated to be worth 720m.