In a decision that must be welcomed the High Court in London
has ruled that women from Northern Ireland are not legally entitled to free
abortions on the NHS in England.
Pro-life leaders have welcomed the news that tax-payers money
cannot be used to destroy unborn babies. Not surprisingly however the Marie
Stopes director in Northern Ireland has expressed disappointment at the ruling.
The case, brought by two women, was an attempt to circumvent
the current legal position in Northern Ireland on the basis of discrimination
Northern Ireland is not covered by the ‘1967 Abortion Act’,
which applies in the rest of the UK and the judge, Mr. Justice King
consequently ruled this was not a discrimination issue.
The laws covering abortion in Northern Ireland are the 1861 Offences
against the Person Act, and the 1945 Criminal Justice act.
See BBC report
