A campaign group that opposes abortion law reform has hit back at criticism over literature its members sent to MHKs.

Life Isle of Man says its opponents made ’false and misleading statements’.

The Isle of Man Courier reported that the Campaign for Abortion Law Modernisation (CALM) had described Life Isle of Man’s images as ’distressing and inaccurate’. CALM also accused the group of ’scaremongering’.

Life Isle of Man secretary Malcolm Newton said: ’CALM’s suggestion that the leaflet contains "distressing" and "inaccurate" images is ludicrous.

’The images used in the "Life Before Birth" leaflet simply show foetal development in all its stages.

’The images were obtained from the same resource used by the NHS. There is nothing in the leaflet that would not also be found in a standard pregnancy tracker app or a midwifery waiting room.

’Of course we understand why CALM would find images of the developing baby upsetting.

’Anything which shows and emphasises the humanity of the baby in the womb will not fit their agenda of bringing about abortion on demand on the Isle of Man.

’We are, however, confident that with the factual information we point to, our lawmakers will see that the position of CALM and the abortion lobby is in conflict with the scientific reality of the humanity of the unborn child and not at all in the interest of women.’

CALM says the law should be changed to provide compassionate, effective and fair treatment for all women.

A change in the law has been proposed by Dr Alex Allinson MHK.