Abortion in NI: Westminster directs Stormont to set up services

By Jayne McCormack, BBC News NI political correspondent
July 22, 2021

Westminster has directed Stormont's Department of Health to set up full abortion services in Northern Ireland by no later than next March.

The government has intervened with a formal direction requiring Stormont to act.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-57921537


Abortion: London wants ‘concrete steps’ towards NI services by summer

Apr 26, 2021

The Department of Health must take "concrete steps" towards commissioning full abortion services in NI before the summer, a government minister has said.

Robin Walker said the secretary of state stands ready to act if significant progress is not made.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-56893295


N. Ireland – Abortion: Foster tells NIO to “back off” over abortion services

March 25, 2021

First Minister Arlene Foster has told the NI secretary to "back off" over the issue of providing abortion services in Northern Ireland.

The government has published regulations allowing Brandon Lewis to direct commissioning of the services.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-56524269


DUP criticises Westminster’s ‘unacceptable’ move on abortion in North

Northern Ireland secretary set to have power to force roll-out of abortion services in region

Sun, Mar 21, 2021

A move to direct the commissioning of abortion services in Northern Ireland is an “over-reach” of the secretary of state’s powers, the DUP has said.

The British government is set to take legislative action at Westminster this week to give Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis the powers to force Stormont’s Department of Health to roll out abortion services across the region.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/dup-criticises-westminster-s-unacceptable-move-on-abortion-in-north-1.4516045


22 abortions carried out in Northern Ireland in year, new figures show as MP claims 100 refused

Government says further legislation could be proposed

Jonathan Bell 
January 20 2021

An MP has claimed over 100 women in Northern Ireland have been refused an abortion with some turning to the internet for pills.

It comes as new Department of Health figures show there were 22 abortions carried out in Northern Ireland during the financial year of 2019/20.

Continued: https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/22-abortions-carried-out-in-northern-ireland-in-year-new-figures-show-as-mp-claims-100-refused-39990069.html


Abortion: Westminster warns it is ready to intervene again over full access in NI

The London government has warned that it may intervene directly if abortions are not made more freely available in Northern Ireland soon.

By Adam Kula
Wednesday, 20th January 2021

Robin Walker MP, the minister for state for Northern Ireland, made the comments in the House of Commons as he was quizzed about the current law in the Province.

The whole issue dates back to summer 2019.

At that time MPs in Westminster passed a law which said if the Northern Irish devolved government was not restored by late October, then the London government would act to change the law on terminations, bypassing the NI Assembly altogether – a move which outraged anti-abortion groups.

Continued: https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/politics/abortion-westminster-warns-it-ready-intervene-again-over-full-access-ni-3107077


NI anti-abortion activists warn MPs over Westminster interference

NI anti-abortion activists warn MPs over Westminster interference

Jul 18th 2018

Anti-abortion activists from Northern Ireland have warned MPs that any move to change the region's laws at Westminster would cripple devolution.

Campaigners travelled to London on Wednesday to make clear their opposition to any relaxation of Northern Ireland's strict legal position on terminations.

Continued: https://www.aol.co.uk/news/2018/07/18/ni-anti-abortion-activists-warn-mps-over-westminster-interferenc/?guccounter=1