PM urged to act to liberalise NI abortion laws

Theresa May is facing calls from MPs. Credit: Pacemaker

Prime Minister Theresa May is facing calls to act urgently to give MPs the chance to liberalise Northern Ireland's abortion laws.

There have been calls to relax the restrictions here following the Republic of Ireland's historic referendum.

Ms May has been reluctant to intervene because it is a devolved issue.

However, the collapse of the Stormont institutions has meant MPs have been pressing for action at Westminster.

Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Tony Lloyd accused Mrs May of "failingwomen".

He said: "Abortion must be decriminalised and a human rights compliant framework for access put in place.

"Nothing else will suffice.

"We must listen to women and the organisations working with them on the need for change and then fulfill our duty to deliver this."