An Oxford charity has expressed full support for a woman with Down’s Syndrome who is taking the Government to court over legislation that allows the abortion of babies with the condition up until birth. 

Down’s Syndrome Oxford is “fully” supporting Heidi Crowter, 26, from Coventry, who is one of the three claimants bringing legal action against the Department of Health and Social Care in the hope of removing a section of the Abortion Act they believe to be an “instance of inequality”.

A two-day High Court hearing began on Tuesday, July 6, where lawyers on behalf of Ms Crowter argued the law is incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights, and therefore unlawfully discriminatory.

Colette Lloyd, Speech and Language Therapist for Down’s Syndrome Oxford, was at the High Court case and said: “The discrimination in the law is incompatible with the Equality Act and should be removed.

“We support women’s right to choose up to 24 weeks, as is the case with other foetuses, but we do feel that the law is discriminatory against people with Down’s Syndrome and therefore needs to be changed.

“We are so glad Heidi has had the courage to take this all the way to the High Court.”

Oxford Mail: Heidi Crowter (right) and Marie Lea-Wilson (left) at the High Court (PA)Heidi Crowter (right) and Marie Lea-Wilson (left) at the High Court (PA)

In England, Wales and Scotland, there is a 24-week time limit on having an abortion.

However, abortions can be allowed up until birth if there is ‘a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped’, which includes Down’s Syndrome.

In a statement before court Ms Crowter said: “I am someone who has Down’s syndrome and I find it extremely offensive that a law doesn’t respect my life, and I won’t stand for it.

“I want to change the law and I want to challenge people’s perception of Down’s syndrome. I want them to look at me and say ‘this is just a normal person’.”

Ms Lloyd described how her Facebook newsfeed has been “flooded with messages which are all supporting the case” and “people are always asking me ‘how is it going’”.

Ms Lloyd added the charity hopes the High Court case will “make people realise that people with Down’s Syndrome in Oxford should be equally valued”.

She said: “There shouldn’t be an automatic presumption that once a baby has been diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome the automatic solution is an abortion, we completely do not believe that.

“We hope it will lead to more acceptance of people with disabilities which in turn will create more opportunities in terms of work, living life and having fun.”

Ms Lloyd emphasised the key message from the case is not about “abortion and choice, it is about discrimination and that is why we want it changed”.

She said: “Wherever we find discrimination, we would seek to change it.”

Down’s Syndrome Oxford is organised and funded by parents and supporters to provide information, help and activities for children with Down’s Syndrome and their families in the Oxfordshire area.