Ford speaks out on internet pornography legislation

The Minister was responding to proposals just announced by the Prime Minister, that possession of extreme pornography featuring rape will be a criminal offence in England and Wales.

David Ford said: “I note with interest the proposals announced today by the Prime Minister. The specific aspects of the proposals relating to internet regulation will include Northern Ireland as they are not devolved to our Assembly and will therefore benefit the UK as a whole.

”However, in relation to expanding the criminal offence of possession of extreme pornographic material to include rape I’m determined that Northern Ireland has the same levels of protection as England, Wales and Scotland and I will be considering how best to proceed in Northern Ireland.”