Pro-life MP Carla Lockhart has told the House of Commons that the regulations giving Westminster the power to implement abortion in Northern Ireland, are inflicting “enormous damage” on the “credibility of devolution”.
MPs yesterday debated Regulations that give the Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis powers to directly impose abortion on the Province.
SPUC’s Alithea Williams said: “The abortion regulations Mr Lewis is seeking to impose are even more extreme than those in the rest of the UK - permitting abortion on demand and even abortion up to birth in some cases.”
Despite powerful speeches by pro-life MPs, the Regulations passed the through the Delegated Legislation Committee, which debates statutory instruments, by 13 votes to three. However, the binding vote comes tomorrow, when the regulations will be voted on by the whole House of Commons.
SPUC is calling on MPs to vote against the regulations when they are brought before the House of Commons tomorrow.
Write to your MP
Alithea Williams said: “The Northern Ireland office has made it clear that it will soon move in and directly commission abortion services in Northern Ireland. We have been contacting MPs, but it is especially powerful when they hear from their constituents. The vote tomorrow is the last chance to defeat these horrific, undemocratic regulations. If you haven’t already, please write to your MP.”
Minister Robin Walker said the government was giving Stormont “one more chance” before the summer recess to commission full abortion services across Northern Ireland or the government “will not hesitate” to direct it to do so.
Breaching the Good Friday Agreement
Speaking in the debate, Conservative MP Miriam Cates said Mr Lewis’ regulations breach the Good Friday Agreement and that the intervention by MPs in the matter was rejected by both the Northern Ireland Assembly and almost 80% of respondents to a statutory consultation. She called for the repeal of the legislation in light of the fact the Assembly is now sitting.
“Not a requirement of international law”
DUP MP Carla Lockhart added: “Despite what has previously been claimed, it is clear that these regulations are not a requirement of international law.
“With devolution restored, each time these powers [to impose laws on Northern Ireland] are used the Government sends out the message that the Northern Ireland Assembly and our present constitutional arrangements are not fit for purpose.”