Pro Life Campaign cast doubts over Belfast abortion centre

The Pro Life Campaign says it is doubtful that a clinic offering medical abortions will open as planned in Belfast next week.

Marie Stopes International says its new centre on Great Victoria Street will be open to women over the age of 16, including those who travel from the Republic.

Women who attend will have a consultation and a scan before two doctors assess whether they are eligible for an early medical abortion, up to nine weeks into their pregnancy.

However legal advisor with the Irish Pro Life Campaign group, Caroline Simons says she doesn't believe the people of Northern Ireland will allow it to happen.

"The people in the North of Ireland don't want that and they have stood very strongly since the 1967 abortion act in England, when they refused to have that extended to Northern Ireland.

"They have made it very clear that they intend to maintain their pro-life ethos, which they have managed to do up to now."