MPs back emergency debate on Northern Ireland abortion reform
2 min read
MPs will today hold an emergency debate on liberalising Northern Ireland’s abortion rules.
The decision was taken last night when the House overwhelming backed a move by Stella Creasy to bring the issue to the chamber.
The Labour backbencher told MPs the historic Irish referendum which took place last month had been "felt around the world" and had "thrown a spotlight on the situation in Northern Ireland".
The call was supported by a huge majority of her parliamentary colleagues - including Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley and Women and Equalities Minister Penny Mordaunt – who stood to show their approval.
The debate will pile pressure on Theresa May who has repeatedly insisted that the issue is a devolved matter, despite there being no functioning executive in Stormont.
The DUP – on whom the Prime Minister relies to prop up her minority government – are staunchly opposed to any changes on abortion rules in the province.
But calls have been growing for Westminster to intervene since people in the Republic of Ireland voted by more than 65% to ditch rules that allow a woman to have an abortion only when her life is at risk.
In the wake of the referendum Ms Creasy has led the charge for change north of the border, tabling an amendment to the Domestic Violence Bill which has won support from senior MPs.
Education Minister Anne Milton and Conservative chair of the Health Select Committee Dr Sarah Wollaston have both come out in favour of the bid and said MPs should get a free vote on it if it comes to the Commons.
Ms Mordaunt has also declared her support for change, hailing the Irish result as a "hopeful one for Northern Ireland".
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