A leaked recording reveals serious concerns from a senior Metropolitan Police officer regarding the arrest of Nicola Packer, who had an abortion at 26 weeks, believing she was only six weeks pregnant. Arrested soon after a stillbirth, Packer faced charges after police requested a review from the Crown Prosecution Service, despite initial advice not to prosecute. This case highlights uncomfortable intersections of healthcare and legal systems, prompting discussions about the appropriateness of criminalizing women in such situations. Packer expressed anger at the midwives who called the police in her vulnerable state, questioning the necessity of their actions.
It's not a comfortable area for police to be operating in any criminalisation around abortions.
The public rightly expects us to pursue the truth - even in sad and complex circumstances.
I'm also angry at midwives for calling the police when they really didn't need to.
Despite the Crown Prosecution Service deciding not to prosecute initially, Ms Packer was charged in 2023.
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