Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Government preventing abortion reform for fear of angering DUP, campaigning MPs say

Labour MP Stella Creasy accuses ministers of trying to prevent abortion reform in Northern Ireland

May Bulman
Sunday 27 January 2019 14:58 GMT
Comments
Stella Creasy said the scope of her amendment to the draft Domestic Abuse Bill had been restricted
Stella Creasy said the scope of her amendment to the draft Domestic Abuse Bill had been restricted (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Ministers have been accused of putting the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) before domestic violence victims after it was claimed plans to reform abortion laws in Northern Ireland had been restricted for fear of angering them.

Labour MP Stella Creasy had intended to put down an amendment to the draft Domestic Abuse Bill, but she said the scope of it had been restricted – a technical move that prevents her from bringing her reforms forward.

Northern Ireland has a ban on abortions in almost all cases – even rape or incest. Theresa May has come under pressure to give MPs a free vote on the issue after abortion was legalised in the Republic of Ireland following a referendum last May.

But the DUP, which the Prime Minister relies on for a majority in Parliament, is vocal in its staunch opposition to women accessing abortions.

Ms Creasy tweeted on Sunday: “This government cares more about the DUP than domestic violence. Proof (is that) they’ve restricted scope of Domestic Abuse Bill to try to prevent abortion reform in Northern Ireland.

“Won’t just affect Northern Ireland but all VAWG (violence against women and girls) – (I am) asking every MP to join me ensuring this scam won’t work.”

Fellow Labour MP Jess Phillips echoed her remarks, urging that the Domestic Abuse Bill must not be used as a “tool to appease the DUP” because this would “undermine the safety of victims from across the UK”.

“If women and children in my constituency are less safe because the government cannot bear to face a vote on women’s rights in NI then they fail all of us,” she added.

The Sunday Times reported that a measure that would have given Westminster jurisdiction over abortion laws in the bill has been dropped. A Cabinet Office source told the newspaper: “A bright civil servant foresaw the potential for the legislation to cause problems for the DUP.”

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), the UK’s largest abortion provider, said: “The idea that the government would sacrifice the rights of Northern Irish women for the votes of 10 DUP MPs is absolutely appalling.”

The Abortion Act of 1967 means terminating pregnancies is legal in England, Wales and Scotland, but it is largely prohibited in Northern Ireland through section 58 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

When approached by The Independent, a Home Office spokesperson said that whether particular amendments to the Domestic Abuse Bill on abortion or otherwise were in scope would be a matter for the House authorities once the Bill was introduced.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in