Northern Ireland

Aontú anger over revised abortion legislation

Dr Anne McCloskey of Aontú. Picture by Mark Marlow.
Dr Anne McCloskey of Aontú. Picture by Mark Marlow. Dr Anne McCloskey of Aontú. Picture by Mark Marlow.

REDRAFTING of legislation will not impact access to abortions in the north, but new changes highlight the "illigitimate" drive to allow women access to termination procedures, anti-abortion party Aontú has insisted.

Regulations on abortion were introduced on March 31, following the decriminalisation last October of terminations on request up to 12 weeks, and up to 24 weeks if the pregnancy endangers a woman's mental or physical health.

A UK parliament vote to copper-fasten the new rules was due to take place this month. However, the vote has now been delayed to allow for the legislation to be "remade" and brought back before parliament at a later date.

Under remaking, no significant changes can occur in the legislation text other than minor typographical errors, meaning the regulations will eventually return for a vote in parliament without any impact on patients requiring access to abortion.

However, anti-abortion party Aontú has accused Sinn Féin and the SDLP of undermining democracy by supporting the Westminster-led change.

Aontú's councillor for Foyle, Dr Anne McCloskey, said it was "abhorrent that the British parliament in conjunction with Sinn Féin and the SDLP leadership would attempt to railroad through regulations".

"The message is still not getting through to the SDLP, Sinn Féin, and the British Government – only the people of the north of Ireland have a right to decide this law. This is a devolved issue. London has no right to impose this extreme regime on the north against the wishes of the people of the north," she said.