Northern Ireland’s new First Minister vows to block rollout of abortion services
Northern Ireland’s recently-appointed First Minister has vowed to resist the introduction of abortion services in the six counties.
Laws making abortion a criminal offence in Northern Ireland were abolished in 2019 as a result of a bill passed by MPs in Westminster.
But disagreements between parties in the devolved administration have repeatedly delayed the commissioning of services there.
Last week NI Secretary Brandon Lewis ordered Stormont to set up full abortion services by no later than next March.
It was the first time he made use of unprecedented powers introduced earlier this year that allow the secretary to compel the administration to act.
He also directed Paul Givan, a DUP assembly member who has served as First Minister since June, to allow the plans to be put before Stormont’s executive, which is made up of a five-party coalition.
But Mr Givan says he wants to ‘resist’ the orders and dared Mr Lewis to ‘take me to court’ over any move to obstruct them.
He said: ‘I spoke to the Secretary of State and I said to him he shouldn’t do this, that it was wrong for him to do it.
‘I was disappointed whenever he proceeded in issuing that direction.
‘We are taking legal advice now as to the implications of that legal action that he has taken and what our options legally are to resist that.
‘It certainly is my intention to resist what the Secretary of State has done by way of a direction but I need to look at all of my options, both politically and legally, whenever it comes to this particular issue.’
Mr Givan told the BBC the order will have ‘profound constitutional ramifications’.
Northern Ireland’s health minister, Robin Swann, has previously said he cannot commission abortion services
Two parties in the executive coalition, Sinn Fein and the Alliance Party, welcomed Brandon Lewis’ move, along with the Green Party.
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