Politics

Rival parties 'cop out' on abortion, says Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin leader in the north Michelle O'Neill
Sinn Féin leader in the north Michelle O'Neill Sinn Féin leader in the north Michelle O'Neill

POLITICAL parties are "copping out" by allowing members freedom of conscience on abortion, Michelle O'Neill has claimed.

A motion to be heard at Sinn Féin's ard fheis says all members should be allowed to speak and vote about abortion according to their consciences.

The UUP, Alliance and SDLP all have freedom of conscience approaches.

But Ms O'Neill said legislators must implement policy for all people regardless of personal viewpoints.

"I think the other parties have actually copped out on this issue, that's my personal view and that's the view of the ard comhairle," she told BBC Radio Ulster's Inside Politics.

"We provide legislation for all people, your own personal opinion doesn't come into it. And that's why there's a differentiation between the membership and the view that you have and those people that legislate."

She added that "we are all pro-life, but this is legislating for women who find themselves in crisis, who find themselves in very difficult circumstances when they find themselves, for instance, with a diagnosis of fatal foetal abnormality".

"It's about supporting women, because they have been failed for far too long."