Bill Amendment On Abortion Is Wrong - Ford

Justice Minister David Ford has said it is wrong to use the Criminal Justice Bill to regulate abortion in Northern Ireland.

The move comes as three MLAs from the Stormont justice committee, the DUP's Paul Givan and the SDLP's Alban Maginness, backed by the UUP's Tom Elliott, seek to amend the bill so abortions may only be carried out by the NHS.

The decision follows controversy over the Marie Stopes clinic, which was opened in Belfast in October of last year.

The private clinic said it would only operate within the strict legal framework in Northern Ireland, which states that a woman may only have an abortion if her health is at risk.

This remark was reiterated at the time by Health Minister Edwin Poots, but pro-life protesters and campaigners have been pushing to prevent the clinic from operating.

Now, as three MLAs attempt to push through amendments to the Criminal Justic Bill, Mr Ford has said: "I agree that the Assembly needs to address the regulation of abortion by private providers. I understand the Health Minister has been considering how best this can be achieved and has undertaken to come back to the Assembly.

"But it is a fundamental principle of devolution that laws should be fully examined and consulted on. Tacking on a last-minute amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill is not the way to deal with this issue. It requires full consideration and consultation to ensure all viewpoints are aired and considered, especially from people directly impacted."

He continued: "I believe that the wording of the amendment could lead to overlapping offences and would cause confusion in an area where clarity is needed. Potentially, it could also criminalise certain forms of contraception and it would be liable to be challenged in the courts."

Sinn Féin has also opposed the amendment.

The party's South Down MLA Caitriona Ruane said: "This is bad law - it's not a good way to be doing law - tagging it on to the end of a criminal justice bill."

"This is a health matter. Sinn Féin will be opposing it and we are in discussions around how we will do that."

She told the BBC she was concerned that it was men who were bringing forward the amendment.

"I wonder did those men...consult with the women in their parties. Really what we need to do is ensure women's lives are protected," she remarked.

(IT)