Aren't we straying off the topic a little?
There seem to be two strands to the more measured debate here -
whether these midwives in particular were justified in their refusal of specific supervisory duties
and
whether clinical nhs staff have/should be allowed to object to participating in termination procedures in the grounds of their own moral conscience.
I'm not up to speed with the details of the first question, but as a doctor who has worked in both gynaecology and general practice, the GMC porition is very clear, that medical staff have a longstanding optional opt-out clause when it comes to performing, or as a GP, referring for, and abortion.
I was always clear at interview that I would not participate/refer for abortion, and that was accepted...had employers had a problem then I suspect someone else would have got the job!
I have several patients who, after discussion with me as their GP, requested seeing another GP to refer them (which was always done within an hour, often sooner) or self-referred, which is increasingly common throughout the UK, I think. They have opted to come back to see me for their follow up care, as, (I hope) the way I dealt with their consultation did not denigrate them, or judge their moral compass, and we have maintained good longstanding patient-doctor relationships.