Court of Appeal rejects SPUC’s court case against the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

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Court of Appeal rejects calls to defend Northern Ireland's devolution settlement from Westminster's abortion power grab - says "unborn children are not part of the community"

Dear SPUC supporter,

I have some disappointing news to share with you. Just yesterday, the Court of Appeal rejected SPUC’s court case against the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland over his attempt to force Ministers in the Stormont Executive to dramatically expand access to abortion in the Province.

In July 2021, the then Secretary of State, Brandon Lewis, directed Stormont Ministers to implement the London government’s abortion agenda which includes abortion up to birth on the grounds of disability, compulsory sex education in all schools and a strategy to change public opinion on abortion, gender, sexuality and motherhood.

SPUC took legal action, arguing that in directing Stormont Ministers to disregard the Ministerial Code and the requirements of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and the St Andrew’s Agreement, he had exceeded his legal authority.

However, Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan ruled today that he acted lawfully, dismissing all grounds of the challenge.

It is deeply disappointing that the Court of Appeal has refused to defend the devolution settlement. The London Government has effectively seized control over abortion policy by stripping locally elected Ministers of any say on the matter.

The Secretary of State has given himself the power to advance his abortion agenda in any way he sees fit, regardless of what the people of Northern Ireland think. Westminster has already imposed one of the most radical abortion laws in Europe on us. That law would never have secured a majority in the Stormont Assembly and a large section of the public remains steadfastly opposed to its implementation.

We must harness this public feeling to continue to fight until unborn babies are once more protected by law in Northern Ireland – and across the UK. This is a set-back, but we will not give up.

Thank you for campaigning with us.
Liam Gibson
Policy and Legal Officer

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