UK Won’t Impose Abortion Reform on Northern Ireland

LONDON (AP) — A British government minister says she wants Northern Ireland’s restrictive abortion laws changed, but won’t impose revisions from London.

Northern Ireland is the only part of the U.K. where abortion is illegal in all but exceptional cases. The Republic of Ireland voted last month to lift its abortion ban, putting pressure on the north to follow suit.

The issue is complicated because abortion rules are set by Northern Ireland’s Belfast-based administration. It has been suspended since January 2017 because of feuding between the main political parties.

Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley told British lawmakers Tuesday: “Personally, I want to see reform in Northern Ireland, but it is matter for the people of Northern Ireland.”

She says the best option is to get the Northern Ireland government running again.