Unionist MLAs promise to fight new abortion law

The rules were introduced via Westminster because MPs passed a law last year saying that unless Stormont was restored by October 21, 2019, then Parliament would legislate for a new liberalised abortion regime themselves.

At the Assembly the TUV’s Jim Allister tabled a Matter of the Day on the issue. He urged MLAs “to find time to reverse this outrageous, obnoxious situation”.

Paul Givan, DUP MLA for Lagan Valley, insisted the speaker (Sinn Fein’s Alex Maskey) should say when time will be set aside “so that we can vote on the issue and then seek to take forward our own legislation in respect to it”.

Mr Maskey did not give a specific timeframe but said he “will liaise with the Executive and will discuss it with the Business Committee – the Business Committee will, in due course, set the normal procedures in place for members to discuss and debate”.

Mr Givan replied: “This matter requires our urgent attention. In effect, it brings in abortion up to 24 weeks for any reason, and up to term for disability.

“No member in this house, if they are in favour of this, can ever look at people with disabilities and proclaim that they champion their cause, because abortion up to birth will now be allowed for disability...

“The penalty associated with this is a fine of £5,000 if an abortion takes place outside the regulations.

“It is difficult to imagine that such a fine could be possible, given that the regulations, in effect, allow abortion to occur under any circumstances.

“In the Republic of Ireland, the penalty is 14 years’ imprisonment, but here it is £5,000.”

The DUP’s Paul Frew pledged to “fight with every breath and every sinew that I have in my body to turn these guidelines around”, while Sinn Fein’s Dr Caoimhe Archibald (East Londonderry) said her party wanted a law which was “appropriate and modern and provided for compassionate healthcare services” and that the new rules were “right and proper”.