The High Court in Belfast is to hear a legal challenge starting today, Monday October 4th, to prevent the Westminster government from imposing its “radical abortion agenda” on Northern Ireland. SPUC is seeking a judicial review of regulations introduced earlier this year by Brandon Lewis, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
SPUC says that Mr Lewis exceeded his legal authority when he granted himself an unprecedented level of control over abortion policy in the Province. SPUC also believes that Mr Lewis’ actions are incompatible with the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
In July, Mr Lewis issued a direction to the First and Deputy First Ministers and the department of health mandating the provision of the funding, resources and personnel required to implement Westminster’s abortion programme, which includes abortion up to birth on the grounds of disability. According to the direction, the measures set out by Mr Lewis must be in place and fully operational no later than 31 March 2022.
Promoting abortion in Northern Ireland
Liam Gibson, SPUC’s Policy and Legal Officer said:
“The Secretary of State has given himself the power to advance his abortion agenda in any way he sees fit regardless of what the people of Northern Ireland think. He can promote abortion by making sex education mandatory in all schools across Northern Ireland and demanding that they arrange abortions for underage girls without their parents' knowledge. He can even run advertising campaigns aimed at changing what the public think about abortion.”
SPUC will be represented in court by John Larkin, QC, the former Northern Ireland Attorney General — a leading authority on the legal and constitutional issues relating to the devolution settlement — and by Belfast solicitors Hewitt & Gilpin.
Westminster must stop dictating and start listening
“Not only will it condemn to death an untold number of unborn babies, but it’s also a gross abuse of political power. The Northern Ireland Office’s high-handed attitude threatens to inflict a fatal blow on the devolution settlement as well,” said Mr Gibson.
“These Regulations give an unprecedented level of power to a politician who is not answerable to the people of Northern Ireland. It is a basic principle of democracy that politicians are accountable to the electorate. Westminster has shown nothing but disdain for their views of the people of Northern Ireland and contempt for the lives of our unborn children.
“By supporting our legal action, people will be speaking out against these illegitimate and unconstitutional regulations. They will also be giving a voice to the thousands of innocent children whose lives will be lost if Brandon Lewis gets away with this power grab.
“We’re also calling on men and women from all political backgrounds, faiths and traditions who value devolution to join us in calling on the Westminster government to stop dictating and start listening,”
To make a donation to the legal fighting fund go to the website: www.spuc.org.uk/Donate