WITH Ireland set to repeal the Eighth Amendment, politicians have called for Northern Ireland to follow suit.
Ireland appears to have voted overwhelmingly to change the law to permit unrestricted abortion up to 12 weeks.
However despite being legal in Britain, abortion remains illegal in Northern Ireland.
Abortion is unlawful except where pregnancy poses a direct threat to the mother's life, or there is a serious risk to the mother's mental or physical health.
Anyone carrying out an unlawful abortion in Northern Ireland can be jailed for life.
Speaking to the Press Association, Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable called the North's situation 'anomalous'.
He said: “The position in Northern Ireland is now highly anomalous and I think, probably, action will now have to be taken.”
'Fundamental change needed'
Welcoming the referendum result, Paula Bradshaw, Alliance MLA for South Belfast, described the law in the North as ‘nonsense’.
“I am hopeful this referendum result will now make it easier for those women to make a shorter journey but it doesn't change the fact the issue of abortion here is one which needs clarified urgently.”
She added: "Abortion is a conscience issue for Alliance but the weight of public opinion shows the current law here around it is a nonsense.
“What we need is a fundamental change in the law to give women the help needed and we need it now."
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said it is ‘distinctly unfair’ that people in Northern Ireland cannot decide their own fate given the ongoing political impasse.
'Turn to the facts'
“Today also comes as a stark reminder how distinctly unfair it is for the people here in the North who cannot legislate on any issue because they are being denied a government for reasons much less insurmountable than the one being overcome in the Republic today,” he said.
“Elected representatives in the North must now turn to the facts of the working group report [which recommended permitting abortion in cases of fatal foetal abnormality] to ensure our laws are fit for purpose and the days of exporting this issue are brought to an end.”
However Ian Paisley Jr, DUP MP for North Antrim, dismissed calls for change.
He tweeted: “NI should not be bullied into accepting abortion on demand. NI did not have a constitutional imperative on abortion it is governed by laws that can be changed.
“The settled will of the people has been to afford protections to the unborn life and protect the life of the mother.”
Other politicians have backed calls for Northern Ireland to make abortion legal.
Wonderful news, if true. And a powerful message to Northern Ireland. We need change across the whole island of Ireland. https://t.co/VTTdPmlUDj
— Owen Smith (@OwenSmith_MP) May 25, 2018
Please share this and ask your MP to back 21st century abortion laws for all U.K. citizens - the women of Northern Ireland should not be left behind! If your MP says yes please let us know they pledge to #trustallwomen pic.twitter.com/8EE5NaVAeX
— stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) May 26, 2018
Now that Ireland has voted to legalise abortion the only part of the British Isles to deny women control over their bodies is Northern Ireland. It is only a matter of time before that changes and I will be joining MPs like @stellacreasy in campaigning for that change to happen
— Luke Pollard MP (@LukePollard) May 26, 2018
Looks like a landslide victory for #Repealthe8h in Ireland. It cannot be right that Northern Ireland will be the only place in Ireland and the UK where abortion and same sex marriage are illegal. Time for Parliament to legislate for human rights
— Tom Copley (@tomcopley) May 26, 2018
Based on the exit poll, a historic & great day for Ireland, & a hopeful one for Northern Ireland. That hope must be met. #HomeToVote stories are a powerful and moving testimony as to why this had to happen and that understanding & empathy exists between generations. #trustwomen
— Penny Mordaunt MP (@PennyMordaunt) May 25, 2018
