THE Bishop of Swansea has joined the debate about enforced contraception and sterilisation, saying the idea goes against people's basic right to choice.

Last week, Swansea Council became engulfed in a heated row over allegations that two councillors had raised the idea that some parents of youngsters in care should be prevented from having more children.

The Right Rev John Davies, Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, said such measures went against freedom of choice. He said educating people about making the right choices was the key to helping people whose children have been taken into care.

He said: "The Anglican Church does not have any difficulties with the concept of contraception, unlike the Roman Catholic Church, which officially disapproves of it.

"The starting point has to be people's freedom of choice and how they run their lives.

"If they run their lives in such a way it causes harm, either to themselves or others, in this case children, and run family life in such a way children are damaged — actually or potentially — and they are taken away, the first step to be examined is something that will enable them to appreciate that they have not behaved appropriately, and try to improve their understanding.

"Preventing people from having children in the future is too radical."

The Bishop said teaching responsibility should be a priority for local authorities and the church, adding that people needed to be properly advised on making the right choices.

The Bishop's comments follow Swansea GP Ian Millington's call for doctors to refuse to carry out these procedures if they were brought in. He said: "Doctors have certain obligations to parents, however bad they are."

The row centres on Alan Robinson, cabinet member for community regeneration, and Wendy Fitzgerald — the council's presiding officer — and comments they were reported to have made during a seminar.

Councillor Fitzgerald told the Post that she completely refuted the claims made against her, while Councillor Robinson said he "categorically denied" using the phrase compulsory sterilisation.

Conservative group leader Rene Kinzett — who reported the comments despite not being present at the meeting where they were apparently made — said the comments had brought the authority into disrepute.