Stormont ordered to begin abortion services

The Government has moved to end a stalemate over the provision of abortion in Northern Ireland by formally directing Stormont to commission the services.

Brandon Lewis, Northern Ireland Secretary, has used new powers to direct ministers in Belfast to take the necessary steps. The region’s strict abortion laws were liberalised in 2019 with legislation passed by Westminster when devolution at Stormont had collapsed. Robin Swann, the Ulster Unionist health minister, said he could not commission services without the approval of the five-party coalition executive. The anti-abortion DUP has blocked consideration of the issue.