British Secretary of State: Govt Won’t Expand Abortion to Northern Ireland

International   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Nov 14, 2008   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

British Secretary of State: Govt Won’t Expand Abortion to Northern Ireland

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
November 14
, 2008

London, England (LifeNews.com) — Responding to questions from members of the British Parliament, Secretary of State Shaun Woodward said Thursday that the government will not expand abortion to Northern Ireland. The question of extending the 1967 Abortion Act to the region has been hotly contested in recent months.

MPs attempted to attach an amendment to the HFE bill that would have forced abortion on Northern Ireland even though Stormont has been strongly opposed to it.

Woodward said Northern Ireland’s assembly was the best place for that battle to occur, and not in Westminster, according to a Belfast Telegraph report.

“Successive governments have consistently said that extending the Abortion Act 1967 to Northern Ireland would need the most careful consultation there and that no change to the current arrangements should be made against the wishes of the people in Northern Ireland," he said.

“The Government believes that the best forum for taking decisions on this matter is the Northern Ireland Assembly once it has taken responsibility for criminal law," he added.

The Telegraph indicates Chris Bryant, Deputy Leader of the House, also provided reassurances to pro-life campaigners that extending abortion to Northern Ireland likely won’t come up on the Parliament agenda.

“Plans for debates will be announced through the session in the usual way," he said.

“I understand the interest in this issue and I am aware that for many years that matter of abortion has been raised from the backbenches," Bryant explained. “The Government has no plans to legislate.”

London MP Diane Abbott has been the leading lawmaker to try to force Northern Ireland to be placed under the pro-abortion law and she said she will continue her efforts.

She and thirteen members of Parliament filed a motion at the end of October to promote abortion in the region.

Bernie Smyth from Precious Life has repeatedly told LifeNews.com that her group will undertake every effort necessary to oppose Abbott’s relentless efforts.

Related web sites:
Precious Life – https://www.preciouslife.com

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