Northern Ireland: MPs vote through abortion regulations with strong majority

MPs have voted to confirm Northern Ireland’s abortion regulations with a majority of 253 votes to 136. This is the final parliamentary stage and means the regulations will continue to underpin services in Northern Ireland.

 Responding to the vote, Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland campaign manager, said:

 "It’s great to see another strong majority vote for abortion rights in Northern Ireland. After so long, it’s right that we finally leave behind the shackles of our past - this is what women and girls here deserve.  

“Since 31 March, women have had the right to access services in Northern Ireland – no one should be forced to travel far for healthcare anymore. Northern Ireland’s Department of Health must now commission these services as a matter of priority.

“The passing of these regulations doesn’t exempt the Northern Ireland Office from further responsibility. The Secretary of State must ensure these regulations apply in practice and that services are properly funded and accessible to all who need them.”