Sturgeon offer on Ulster terminations
NICOLA Sturgeon will consider offering Northern Irish women free abortions in Scotland after they were denied the right on the NHS.
The Scottish first minister said she was exploring the possibility of offering the service to those who risk life imprisonment if they undergo illegal terminations.
Women in Northern Ireland can only legally have an abortion if a strict criteria are met, including a serious risk to the mother’s physical or mental wellbeing.
Last week, the Supreme Court narrowly rejected a claim from hundreds of Northern Irish women, who argued they should be entitled to free abortions on the NHS in England.
Miss Sturgeon’s remarks are likely to anger the DUP, which is in minority government negotiations with the Conservatives.
The party has already unsuccessfully lobbied Miss Sturgeon’s government to try to stop Northern Irish same-sex couples from getting married in Scotland.
Hundreds of Northern Irish women travel to England each year, spending up to £2,000 each to undergo abortion procedures in a private hospital.