MP presents Robin McNair Prize

From left to right: Joanna Bogle (essay judge), Sara & Christopher Nightingale with daughter Emily, David Burrowes MP, Rick & Trudie Jones with daughter Kirsty, Dexter Leung with brother Nicholas, Duncan McNair (son of Robin McNair)

David Burrowes MP yesterday presented the 2009 Robin McNair Prize in the Houses of Parliament. Student contestants wrote essays on bioethical issues including abortion, human embryos and the rights of the disabled.

Kirsty Jones, from the High School for Girls in Gloucester won first prize for her essay entitled: 'Is abortion justified if the unborn baby has a disability?' She chose the subject because she is interested in making church and faith life accessible to disabled people. Kirsty is currently in Year 13 and plans to read theology at Cambridge university. She hopes to be active at Cambridge on the issue of rights for the disabled. Kirsty was accompanied to the ceremony by her parents Rick and Trudie.

Emily Nightingale, from Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School, also wrote on: 'Is abortion justified if the unborn baby has a disability?'. Emily is now in Year 11 and hopes to become a film and television scriptwriter. She was accompanied to the ceremony by her parents Christopher and Sara:

Dexter Leung, who attends Eton College, Windsor, won 3rd prize for his essay on: 'Is a human embryo a potential life or a human life with potential?'. He chose the subject as it had come up in religious education classes. Dexter plans to read law at Cambridge and hopes to be active in pro-life activities there. He was accompanied to the ceremony by his brother Nicholas.

The Robin McNair Prize commemorates one of Britain's leading fighter pilots in the Second World War. After the war Squadron Leader McNair fought for the rights of the unborn through his membership of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC). The prize competition is jointly sponsored by the SPUC Educational Research Trust and the McNair family. 150 entries were received from more than thirty schools.

(Picture on headline page shows Kirsty Jones with David Burrowes MP)