Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis told MPs that it was “unacceptable that there are women and girls in parts of the United Kingdom that cannot access these fundamental rights as they can elsewhere in the UK.”
He made the statement to justify the introduction of new powers around abortion services in Northern Ireland.
Causing unbearable distress
Mr. Lewis shared the stories of two women who had tried to kill themselves when they couldn’t access care.
“One story was of a much wanted pregnancy where sadly doctors informed the mother that the baby would not survive outside of the womb. This woman had to travel to London without her network of family support in order to access healthcare.
“She described to me a harrowing ordeal. Unable to travel back on a flight to her home because of complications and bleeding, stranded in London alone and grieving and in pain.
“I have been informed of other women, two other women, who have attempted suicide over the last year after their flights were cancelled and so they were unable to travel to England for proper care.
“The distress and unacceptable circumstances that women and girls continue to face at a time when local access should be readily available given the law change over a year ago, I am afraid is unacceptable,” he said.
Breaching the Belfast Agreement
DUP MP Carla Lockhart said the UK Government’s introduction of new powers compelling Stormont to implement abortion laws breaches the Belfast Agreement.
She said that according to the devolution settlement, access to abortion services is a devolved issue.
Speaking at Parliament's urgent question on abortion provision, @carlalockhart tells @BrandonLewis that his action will "undermine and further destabilise the devolved institutions," and that it is time for the Government to "restore Northern Ireland's life affirming laws". pic.twitter.com/C7nl7uE2qa
— DUP (@duponline) March 25, 2021
Mr Lewis responded that the government had made every effort to encourage progress but felt they had reached an impasse.
“I fully appreciate that abortion is an extremely emotive subject, but we must not lose sight of the women and girls in Northern Ireland who are absolutely at the heart of this matter.”
If you have been affected by any of the issues mentioned in this article, please reach out to the service providers below.
Samaritans 116 123
BPAS 03457 30 40 30
