DUP MP to question government in House of Commons over abortion laws in NI

by Q Radio News

The UK government will face questions in the House of Commons this morning over its decision to give the Secretary of State Brandon Lewis powers to compel Stormont over abortion laws in Northern Ireland. 

Regulations were published earlier this week allowing Mr Lewis to direct the Department of Health on commissioning central abortion services in the region. 

Abortion was decriminalised in 2019.

Since then, individual health trusts have offered abortion services on an ad hoc basis but a lack of agreement at Stormont means the Department of Health has yet to commission them centrally.

On Tuesday the NI Secretary said the legislation was "necessary" and "proportionate" due to the lack of action taken by the executive. 

However, he urged ministers to take action so he wouldn't have to intervene. 

"Our strong preference remains for the Northern Ireland Executive to take responsibility itself for upholding these rights," Mr Lewis said.

"It has always been our expectation and preference that the Department of Health would drive forward the commissioning of abortion services."

Secretary of State Brandon Lewis

However, DUP MP Carla Lockhart is to table an urgent question in the House of Commons this morning over the UK government's latest move. 

Her party has previously described it as an "over reach" of Mr Lewis' office. 

The DUP has vowed to "vigorously oppose" the UK government's intervention in what it regards as a devolved matter.

Devolution is about local opinion shaping decisions.What the Gov propose to do on abortion has no mandate&is out of step with public opinion in NI.If they persist, it undermines the devolution settlement. Once again Government is playing Russian Roulette with political stability. https://t.co/HN9APml2Nk

— Carla Lockhart MP (@carlalockhart) March 19, 2021

The issue is also expected to be discussed by the Stormont Executive when it meets this afternoon.