By Tony O’Riley-
Northern Ireland’s First Minister has vowed to block any move by Westminster to force Stormont to set up full abortion services.
Paul Givan said he has sought legal advice on how to “resist” powers that would direct Stormont to roll out abortion services by March.
Mr Givan told BBC Northern Ireland that the order made by Mr Lewis had “profound constitutional ramifications”.
Northern Ireland’s abortion laws were liberalized in 2019 following legislation passed by Westminster, but full services have not yet been centrally commissioned due to disagreements between the Executive parties.
Last week, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis directed the Department of Health to set up abortion services by next March.
“I was disappointed whenever he proceeded in issuing that direction. We are taking legal advice now as to the implications of that legal action… and what our options are legally to resist that,” Mr Givan told BBC NI’s Evening Extra.
“Certainly it is my intention to resist what the Secretary of State has done by way of a direction. But I need to look at all my options, both politically and legally whenever it comes to this particular issue.”
Westminster had legislated on the issue when Stormont was suspended, but Mr Givan said it did not reflect Northern Ireland’s wishes on abortion law.
He said Brandon Lewis’ actions had “profound constitutional ramifications” and said it raised the possibility he could do the same for other issues.
“The Attorney General is giving me advice on this as to what are those ramifications. Then we’ll consider our options.”
Mr Givan said one option could be blocking any paper brought forward by the Department of Health.
“The Secretary of State may well have to take me to court if I decide that we’re not going to do that.”
He said he would ultimately prefer to avoid the courts, and for the Executive to legislate on the matter .
Previously Sinn Fein, the Alliance Party and Green Party welcomed the Secretary of State’s direction, with deputy First Minsiter Michelle O’Neill claiming a “blockage” of women’s rights by the DUP had been overcome.
Secretary of State Brandon Lewis has used new powers to direct ministers in Belfast to take the steps necessary to establish abortion services across the region.
Health Minister Robin Swann previously said he could not commission services without the approval of the wider five-party coalition Executive, insisting it is his legal responsibility to refer controversial or significant decisions to the other ministers.
Mr Givan said he is assessing all his options, politically and legally.
I need to look at all of my options, both politically and legally, whenever it comes to this particular issue.
The DUP Assembly member said: “I spoke to the Secretary of State and I said to him he shouldn’t do this, that it was wrong for him to do it.
“I was disappointed whenever he proceeded in issuing that direction.
“We are taking legal advice now as to the implications of that legal action that he has taken and what our options legally are to resist that.
“It certainly is my intention to resist what the Secretary of State has done by way of a direction but I need to look at all of my options, both politically and legally, whenever it comes to this particular issue.”
Mr Givan told BBC Northern Ireland that the order made by Mr Lewis had “profound constitutional ramifications”.
He said Mr Lewis “may have to take me to court” for obstructing the Westminster direction.