SPUC is calling on Prime Minister, Boris Johnson to withdraw legislation which imposes abortion on demand on Northern Ireland ahead of the House of Commons debate next Tuesday, 12 May.

The Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020 were introduced in March. However, the regulations must be approved by Parliament before 17 May or they will cease to have effect.

SPUC says serious questions about the legality of the regulations need to be answered before MPs vote on them. SPUC is calling on the government to withdraw them and return authority for abortion law to the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont.

The most extreme abortion regime in Europe

Liam Gibson, SPUC’s Northern Ireland political officer said:

“These regulations permit abortion on demand and even abortion up to birth in some cases. They create the most extreme abortion regime in Europe but there are very serious doubts over their validity and whether the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has exceeded his authority. In the rush to introduce abortion on demand the government has also failed to give proper consideration to the human rights implications of these regulations.

“The government must answer these questions instead of continuing to push ahead with its plans.”

Mr Gibson continued: “Seventy-nine per cent of the people in Northern Ireland who responded to the public consultation rejected the government’s proposals. They lack all legitimacy and there serious doubts over their legality so Boris Johnson should stop trying to force them on the people of Northern Ireland.

“Parliament should respect the devolution settlement at the heart of the Belfast Agreement and if the Prime Minister doesn’t withdraw these extremist abortion regulations MPs should vote them down.”