Abortion Liberalisation 'Not On', Says DUP

A senior DUP politician has moved swiftly to quell any prospects of more liberal abortion laws in Northern Ireland.

DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson, who is a Stormont Junior Minister, (pictured here) was commenting on news that the Department of Health has - for the first time - published guidance to health professionals in Northern Ireland on terminating pregnancy. Such guidelines have not been previously in place as abortion remains illegal in NI, except when the mother's life is at risk.

The Royal College of Midwives has said they will bring greater clarity to the legal position of staff who take part in any such terminations.

However, while the move will not change the law, and the guidelines will merely make clear what is and is not permitted, Jeffrey Donaldson has already said he and his party colleagues were unhappy with some of the guidelines.

"We had a number of concerns that we raised with the Health Minister," he said.

"Some were resolved, some remained unresolved and for that reason our ministers voted against the guidelines at the Executive.

"We will not be liberalising the law on abortion here."

Meanwhile, yesterday's news that Lisburn's maternity care has been granted a partial reprieve - with a midwife-led facility being established to handle uncomplicated births only - a funding announcement has been made.

Extra money will be made available to improve maternity services across NI, the Health Minister has announced.

It follows last week's announcement that the birth rate in NI was at the highest it has been in 17 years.

On Wednesday, the minister said only low-risk maternity services would stay at Lagan Valley Hospital in Lisburn.

Michael McGimpsey said extra funding would now be found to ensure other hospitals could cope with the increase in the number of babies being born.

This will particularly apply to Belfast's Royal Hospital, where extra beds will be established to handle increasing numbers of births coming from the Lisburn area.

See: Lisburn Maternity Care 'Reprieved'

(BMcC/JM)