MPs vote to legalise same-sex marriage and decriminalise abortion in Northern Ireland

Greg Heffer, political reporter

MPs have voted to legalise same-sex marriage and decriminalise abortion in Northern Ireland, if a new devolved government isn't formed at Stormont by 21 October

The House of Commons supported both measures via amendments to legislation designed to keep Northern Ireland running in the absence of a devolved executive.

The amendments were passed overwhelmingly after MPs were given free votes on Tuesday afternoon.

Same-sex marriage and abortion are traditionally treated as a matter of conscience in the Commons.

There has been no devolved government in Northern Ireland since January 2017, following the collapse of a power-sharing deal between the DUP and Sinn Fein.

Despite the recent resumption of talks between the Northern Irish parties, they have yet to reach a new agreement.

A majority of SNP MPs, who typically abstain on devolved issues, also added their support to the amendments.

The party's leader and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon posted on Twitter: "Would rather the Northern Ireland Assembly was doing this but in its absence, marriage equality and human rights can't wait.

"This is the right decision in the circumstances."

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