Northern Ireland Secretary will use abortion powers if no progress at Stormont

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis (David Young/PA)

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis will take action to ensure the full provision of abortion services in the region unless progress is made at Stormont, the UK Government has warned.

Tory frontbencher James Younger branded the current situation “not acceptable” and said it was “very distressing” nearly 400 women and girls had to travel to the British mainland for an abortion last year during the coronavirus pandemic, despite a change in the law.