Campaigners opposed to abortion law reform say they were told not to wear sweatshirts with the LIFE logo in the gallery of the House of Keys.

LIFE committee member Sue Richardson was asked to remove her purple hoodie before entering the chamber for the second reading of the Abortion Reform Bill.

She said: ’There were a lot of ladies and men dressed in red, the Handmaids colour, which is all right.

’But when I reached security I was asked if I could take my sweatshirt with the LIFE logo off.

’The people on security said that they had been told not to let people through with it on. Another lady wearing the same sweatshirt didn’t want to take it off and so she had to cover it with a coat instead.

’There was a predominance of red throughout the gallery, with most MHKs wearing the colour too. I felt quite concerned, as I wasn’t allowed my top.’

The information shown on the back of the sweatshirt included a pregnancy helpline number and the website address of the LIFE charity.

’The security were very polite,’ she said. ’As they were concerned that they would upset me because they were told not to let people in with that top.

’I don’t know who instructed the ushers to disallow my wearing of the LIFE logo, but I imagine it came from whoever’s in charge.

’Someone in Tynwald had asked why it wasn’t allowed and were told that it was policy not to let any logo larger than a small pin be shown.

’I was cross about it, as a colour is just as much of a symbol as a logo. I cannot think what else the reason for disallowing the top could be and only imagine it could be because of the LIFE logo.’

She added: ’LIFE Isle of Man has existed for many years. We opposed the legalisation of abortion in the 1990s and our aim has always been to give support and help to girls and women who are faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Sometimes girls simply don’t know what to do, and have come to us for a listening ear.

’We are obviously pro-life and sometimes girls actually want to talk to someone who they know will definitely not talk to them about an abortion. They want to hear about other options, and LIFE will suggest it to them.’