Abortion callers defend approach

Company invites views on abortion reform

An off-Island company which made phone calls to gauge residents' opinions on abortion insists it has not done anything wrong.

Police said a number of 'concerned' individuals had contacted them on Thursday, prompting a warning about illegal cold calling.

It was also claimed the callers were fraudulently posing as Isle of Man Government representatives.

Teamsearch Market Research, based in Halifax, has strongly denied the allegations.

While unsolicited marketing calls are against the law, bosses insist their remit was purely to conduct surveys, which is allowed.

It's confirmed it was carrying out the research on behalf of London charity CARE (Christian Action Research & Education), which is seeking 'to understand the true state of opinion' about abortion reform in the Isle of Man.

Teamsearch says it carries out similar surveys in 'hundreds of areas', and its staff never force anyone to speak to them.