Statement by TUV party secretary and North Belfast representative Ron McDowell:
“Today’s statement by the Secretary of State on abortion makes it clear that devolution is a sham. Brandon Lewis has made it clear that he has no regard for the powers of the Health Minister as he is directing him to secure the commissioning and availability of abortion in Northern Ireland. He has made clear that he has no regard for the powers of the Executive Office as he is directing that once proposals come forward the First Minister and deputy First Minister must include them on the agenda for the next Executive meeting.
“It is now clear that devolution is pointless. Tellingly, Westminster still refuses to take action on the Protocol – even though Lord Frost says the conditions for triggering Article 16 already exist – but they are quite prepared to intervene on abortion, an issue which was sold to many DUP supporters as a key reason for having devolution.
“Frankly if Mr Lewis can intervene like this what’s the point of devolution?”