Abortion reform: Letter to PM reaches 10,000 signatures

More than 10,000 signatures have been collected in 48 hours against the liberalisation of Northern Ireland's abortion laws, it has been claimed.

The signatures were included in a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May calling for politicians and the public in the region to be consulted before any changes are made to abortion legislation.

It comes after MPs voted last week to change Northern Ireland's restrictive laws around abortion and introduce same-sex marriage if devolution is not restored at Stormont by October 21.

The amendments to a Northern Ireland Bill were tabled by Labour MPs Stella Creasy and Conor McGinn.

As the law stands in the region, abortion is available only in very limited circumstances and same-sex marriage remains illegal.

The letter to Mrs May was written by ex-police ombudsman Baroness Nuala O'Loan and Lord Robin Eames, the former Church of Ireland primate, in support of an amendment laid down at the House of Lords debate on the Bill

The amendment is set to be debated in the Lords this week.

Peter Lynas, director of Evangelical Alliance NI, said Christians and those without faith oppose changes to abortion laws.

"Abortion is one of the most sensitive political, moral and social issues of our time, especially in Northern Ireland where it is a devolved matter,'' he said.

"We object strongly to what happened last week, both in terms of the process and the substance of the motions passed.

"We are so encouraged however that in the space of less than 48 hours over the bank holiday weekend, over 10,000 people have joined Baroness O'Loan and Lord Eames in calling on the Prime Minster to make sure there is a public consultation before any change is made to the law on abortion in Northern Ireland.

"We know that many churches brought this issue to the attention of their congregations yesterday.

"The result is that people from right across the Christian denominations and those of no faith have been motivated by a deep desire to see both women and unborn children protected.''

However Grainne Teggart, Northern Ireland campaigns manager for Amnesty UK, said recent opinion polls indicate people in the region want to see abortion laws changed.

"Successive opinion polls and studies have consistently shown that the majority of the Northern Irish public are in favour of abortion law reform, including decriminalisation,'' she said.

"A recent poll commissioned by Amnesty demonstrates that 66% want to see Westminster legislate for change in the absence of devolved government. In a recent Northern Ireland Life & Times Survey, 70% of the public said they are pro-choice.

"The vote in the Commons last week reflects the will of the Northern Ireland public and it is right that Westminster brings about long overdue change.

"Few would disagree that women should continue to be blocked from accessing this healthcare including in circumstances where there is a risk to health.

"This week is critical in delivering long overdue reform."