Government urged to review ‘flawed abortion regulations’

Carla Lockhart said: “The crux of the issue here is one of respect. Respect for devolution, respect for the stated will of the devolved Assembly, respect for the people of Northern Ireland, and respect for those with disabilities.

She claimed 75 out of 90 MLAs voted last week to indicate that they did not support abortion for non-fatal disabilities. “They want to ‘take back control’ of abortion law. They want to defend the life of an unborn with a disability.

“These regulations, imposed against our will, legislate discrimination. This legislation provides less protection for a viable disabled baby than that of a baby who is the same age and not disabled. That is wrong. I find it incredible that those who champion equality, are willing to end the life of the unborn because that baby has a disability.

“We will continue to fight these regulations. Sadly, it appears the majority of MPs will drive these through, and if this is the case we will have to look at legal remedy.”

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