A WOMAN who used the Marie Stopes Abortion Clinic in Mattock Lane, Ealing, has branded pro-life protesters as ‘passively aggressive and emotionally abusive’.

Kiah Hewitt, 21, attended the clinic on October 24 and 25 and found the surrounding pavement lined with plastic foetuses, pictures of babies and pro-life propaganda.

Miss Hewitt, a merchandiser from Boreham Wood, had travelled to Ealing as appointments are hard to come by.

She said: “To witness the [plastic foetuses] is simply horrifying, unnecessary and one of the worst forms of bullying I have ever come across.

“For me, personally, it was one of the worst weeks of my life. For some, I have no doubt that it is much, much worse.

“It is an inconsiderate, manipulative act of cruelty and emotional blackmail. There is a time and a place to express such opinions.”

The religious protesters, set up by pro-life organisation Good Counsel Network, hold daily prayer vigils in Ealing Park and hand out leaflets at the clinic entrance.

Iulia Morello, from Ealing, who organises the vigils, said the group was not campaigning but simply praying for women attending the clinic.

She said the intention was not to upset anyone, but to offer help to women who felt pressured to abort by circumstances.

She said: “One girl escaped via the fire escape last year because her parents were pressurising her to abort and the abortion centre was going along with them. She came to our centre and kept her baby.

“We understand it is a very upsetting time for a woman. This is why our only approach is an offer of a leaflet. We have no desire to upset, but we will not leave those in need of help without the chance to receive it.”

The organisation is supported by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), whose spokesperson Anthony Ozimic said he would be very surprised if any women received abuse at a pro-life vigil.

However, Kate Smurthwaite, spokesperson for the national pro-choice campaign Abortion Rights UK, said the Ealing protests were just one example of a wider problem.

She branded the protesters extremists and condemned their actions as irresponsible.

She said: “Many people will be unaware of how serious the levels of harassment have become in recent years.

“Sadly, wall-to-wall graphic placards showing photo-shopped images of foetuses are now relatively common, as is filming of people in and around medical centres.

“The idea that these protesters can call themselves ‘pro-life,’ while causing medically-dangerous stress, is appalling.

“We know that protesters in other parts of the UK have even targeted a mother and baby group. This rather puts the lie to the idea that they are trying to protect ‘the unborn’.”