Boyfriend challenges ‘forced’ abortion

A woman has been given until tomorrow to seek legal advice and respond to claims that she is being forced to have an abortion in Britain against her will.

Her boyfriend mounted a High Court challenge yesterday after he discovered arrangements were made for an abortion. He says he has no desire to restrain his girlfriend from travelling should that be her freely held wish, however, he alleges she is being forced to undergo the procedure by her family.

Lawyers acting for the man asked Ms Justice Mary Laffoy for several injunctions preventing his girlfriend, who is 20 weeks pregnant, from undergoing an abortion or from leaving the jurisdiction until it can be ascertained if she is acting of her own free will. He is also asking the court to vindicate the rights of his unborn child.