Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“Quite apart from the anti-life agenda of Stella Creasy MP, it is clear that her argument in favour of repealing Sections 58 and 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, as a means of facilitating abortion in Northern Ireland, is utterly fatuous.
“It is nonsense to suggest only Westminster can repeal any section of the Offences Against the Person Act. Where a subject matter is devolved, then the devolved legislature can amend and repeal sections of the Act, as it has done on occasions. Indeed, interestingly, Westminster has never repealed Sections 58 and 59 of the Act for any part of the UK. They are still on the statute book and merely interpreted/explained for GB by the Abortion Act 1967.
“So, abortion in all its parts is a devolved issue.
“It is also worth pointing out that the much maligned Offences Against the Person Act 1867 is in fact the legislation that to this day provides for the key offences of GBH and Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm. So it is far from antiquated or unnecessary in 2018.
“Ms Creasy’s attempt to foist abortion on Northern Ireland must be resisted by all who care anything for the right to life. Killing babies in the womb is neither enlightened nor the mark of a caring society.”