Supreme Court Ruling: Abortion in Northern Ireland
Debate between Mike Gapes and Karen Bradley(6 years, 6 months ago)
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Karen Bradley
My hon. Friend always has an ability to use an appropriate turn of phrase to put his finger adeptly on the problem.
Mike Gapes (Ilford South) (Lab/Co-op)
A constituent has written to me as follows:
“I grew up in Northern Ireland before moving to London in 1982…I fell pregnant in 1997. My child would have been very much loved and wanted, but a scan revealed that he had Edward’s syndrome, a chromosomal abnormality incompatible with life. I was ably supported by the NHS in London through the subsequent weeks of decision and grief. I was not forced to continue the pregnancy to bear a dead child”.
What advice would the Secretary of State give to a young woman in Northern Ireland today who was facing the same dilemma that my constituent had in 1997?
Karen Bradley
It is those personal stories and the reality of the situations in which women find themselves that really bring home why it is so important that this matter is addressed, but I repeat that it needs to be addressed in Stormont by politicians elected in Northern Ireland—that is the right way to deal with this issue.