“The DUP voted against the draft abortion guidelines produced by the Department of Health when they were brought before the Northern Ireland Executive. We did this on the basis of our belief in the protection of the unborn child and because we believed that the guidance produced was fundamentally flawed.
The DUP believes that any guidance produced by the Department of Health must conform fully to the law. The ruling today in the High Court vindicates our stance over this issue and the position of pro-life groups. Any rules or guidance concerning abortion in Northern Ireland needs to operate strictly within the existing legislation.
In the meantime, the DUP shall continue to stand up for the rights of unborn children. We will resist any efforts to introduce a 1967-style abortion regime to the Province.”