May under pressure to back abortion vote for Ulster

MPS call on Prime Minister to push for reform of strict law after majority vote to repeal the law in Ireland

THERESA MAY is under pressure to change the law on abortion in Northern Ireland after scores of her ministers called on her to back a vote on the issue.

Anne Milton, the skills minister and former deputy chief whip, became the latest to back a free vote in the House of Commons after Ireland voted this weekend to allow women access to abortions.

Other ministers have called for a referendum, but the Prime Minister is in a difficult position because any change in the law would be strongly opposed by the DUP, the party on which she relies for her Commons majority.

Yesterday Arlene Foster, the DUP leader, warned the decision will be for Northern Ireland alone, not politicians in Westminster, in a signal to ministers to back off.

Northern Ireland only allows termi- nations if a woman’s life is at risk. In 2016/17 just 13 abortions were carried out in hospitals in the country.

Ms Milton said the Northern Irish system is “anomalous”, adding it “doesn’t feel quite right” that the NHS in England currently funds free abortions for Northern Irish women who don’t have the right to them.

Pressure has been increasing on Mrs May since 66 per cent of those voting in Ireland backed a relaxation of the abortion law. Previously Irish women had been forced to travel to get a termination. Many still have to do so in Northern Ireland because of its strict laws.

Former minister Maria Miller called for a referendum on the issue, while

‘She is in a difficult position, because any change in the law would be strongly opposed by the DUP’

Cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt, who is responsible for the women and equalities brief, said the referendum signalled a “historic and great day for Ireland” and a “hopeful one for Northern Ireland”.

“That hope must be met,” she added. Nicky Morgan and three other former holders of the women and equalities role – Amber Rudd, Justine Greening and Maria Miller – all back Ms Mordaunt, the Sunday Times reported. And 140 MPS are said to have signed an amendment calling for the change to happen.

Any action would require a decision by Mrs May, because abortion law is a devolved issue so MPS would be unlikely to win the right to change the law in the House of Commons.

But Downing Street considers it a question for Northern Ireland and not Westminster. Sources said there would not be a free vote or referendum.

They added that discussion on the issue would “focus minds” and encourage politicians in the region to get back around the negotiating table and set up an executive in the country, leaving them free to debate abortion.

Mrs Foster said: “Some of those demanding change are the same people blocking devolution or demanding that Westminster change the law whilst simultaneously opposing direct rule.”

Westminster is acting as a caretaker leader until a government can be agreed, but sources close to the Prime Minister said no big changes, including on social issues like abortion, should be made during that period.

Justice minister Rory Stewart told BBC’S Sunday Politics the UK Government’s position as caretaker “must not be used to make fundamental constitutional, ethical changes on behalf of the people in Northern Ireland”.