“Are there only 21 MPs that have an ounce of morality in them?”, Christian Heritage Party Leader Graham Capill asked on hearing news that Parliament voted last night to send the Prostitutes (Reform) Bill to a select committee.

Mr Capill said, “Such a proposal should have been shredded on reaching the Speaker’s desk. If MPs want to address the injustice of the current law, which prosecutes a woman for soliciting but does not hold the man responsible for his part, then the reform should have been to hold both equally responsible. Decriminalisation was not the only option open to MPs last night.

“This measure will not decrease the spread of disease. There is only one way to do that: stop illicit sex and marital unfaithfulness. Why do thinking people accept such a charade that prostitutes do not discuss condoms and safe-sex initiatives now with the law as it is?

“The government has failed to address why women enter prostitution. I have yet to be convinced that there are any women who do it because they made this a career choice. Commonly, reasons given, include financial need, support of children, a drug habit or excessive drinking. These social dilemmas are now lost in this immoral initiative which simply glosses over root causes.

“MPs have a responsibility to give moral leadership. They should be protecting women from the dangers associated with prostitution and putting a hedge around marriages. They have, so far, done neither. We can only hope they wake up to their responsibilities of the night before, before they finally vote it into law,” Mr Capill said.

Contact: Party Leader Graham Capill, Direct Line: (03) 352 6720 or (021) 661 766

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