Picture of our CEO Fraser Sutherland sat on a park bench, with embedded quote from the National article reading, "it's about the honesty as to the perspective you're getting from her and her organisation."

We raise concerns about links between anti-assisted dying figure and radical religious right

November 14, 2024

Our CEO Fraser Sutherland spoke to The National about Dr Gillian Wright, a “medical ethics researcher” with connections to well-known anti-abortion and radical right individuals and groups. Dr Wright is likely to give evidence to the health committee opposing assisted dying.

Our CEO Fraser Sutherland is in today’s National over connections between anti-assisted dying campaigners and the radical religious right. Dr Gillian Wright presents herself as a “medical ethics researcher.” But she represents Our Duty of Care, an evangelical Christian group funded by Section 28 supporter Brian Souter. She is likely to be called by the health committee to give evidence on Liam McArthur MSP’s assisted dying bill. But in previous public appearances Dr Wright has not disclosed the nature of her objections.

Dr Wright was pictured earlier this year at a ‘Culture of Life’ event flanked by Richard Lucas, leader of the radical right Scottish Family Party

Wright recently appeared at a stall set up under false pretences in the Scottish Parliament by Our Duty of Care. The stall was openly used to oppose assisted dying, in spite of this issue being live legislation. Dr Wright was also pictured earlier this year at a “Culture of Life” event in Dunkeld, flanked by Richard Lucas, leader of the radical right Scottish Family Party, and Bishop John Keenan. Bishop Keenan went viral in the spring when giving evidence against the abortion clinic safe access zone bill, passing round a leaflet full of disinformation to concerned MSPs. He has also organised now illegal anti-abortion protests outside abortion clinics through his Paisley Diocese.

Fraser also raised concerns about Dr Ramona Coelho, who gave evidence this week on the provision of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada. Dr Coelho is a conscientious objector to MAiD with zero input into its delivery. yet was called as an expert witness on its provision. And Fraser talked about the level of near-identical, spam-style responses to the Scottish government’s consultation on assisted dying.

In you want to fight the disinformation campaign against assisted dying, consider writing to your MSPs outlining your support for the bill. You can use the link below.