ABORTION ROW
Boris Johnson blasts US Supreme Court’s shock decision on abortion as ‘a big step backwards’
BORIS Johnson today slammed a controversial decision to overturn Roe v Wade in the US as a "big step backwards".
The outcome means abortion could be banned in roughly half of America's 50 states.
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The Prime Minister said: "I have always believed in a woman's right to choose and I stick to that view, that's why the UK has the laws that it does."
Referring to changes to the law in Northern Ireland, he added: "We recently took steps to ensure that those laws were enforced throughout the whole of the UK."
Today's ruling by the US Supreme Court eliminated nearly 50 years of constitutional protections for abortion.
It will now be up to state legislators to decide on abortions - potentially leading to life-threatening consequences for millions.
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Thirteen states have already passed so-called "trigger laws" that automatically outlaw abortion following the decision with others expected to follow.
Outrage has erupted in America with protesters marching through the streets.
The landmark Roe v Wade case in 1973 saw the Supreme Court rule that a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy was protected by the US Constitution.
This gave women a right to abortion in the first three months of pregnancy but allowed for restrictions in the second trimester and prohibitions in the third.
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The judgment today stated the Constitution "does not confer a right to abortion" and that the decision should be left up to the state to regulate.
Boris' comments were echoed by campaigners in the UK following the ruling.
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (Bpas) - the UK's leading abortion provider - said it was "appalled".
Chief executive Clare Murphy said: "Banning abortion does not remove women's need to end a pregnancy. It simply makes it more difficult and more dangerous.
"We are calling on the UK Government to publicly condemn this assault on women's human rights, and make clear on the international stage that removing women's access to swift, safe abortion services has absolutely no place in any society that calls itself civilised in the 21st century.
What is Roe v Wade?
The 1973 ruling of Roe v. Wade asserted the 14th amendment and declared access to safe and legal abortion as a constitutional right.
The case was heard to decide if Texas' ban on abortions, which were completely outlawed except when a woman's life was in danger, was constitutional.
The Supreme Court voted 7-2 in favor of the right to an abortion.
It said women had a right to privacy, which meant it was up to them to decide whether to continue their pregnancy.
It also divided pregnancy into three trimesters, declaring that the first three months are solely at the discretion of the woman.
In the second trimester, the states can regulate abortions in the interests of the woman's health.
In the last three months, states can prohibit abortions in the interest of the foetus, provided the pregnancy will not bring harm to the pregnant woman.
"For our politicians to watch silently as women's rights are rolled back would be unforgiveable. We urge the Government to show leadership as a matter of urgency."
Nimco Ali, the Government's independent adviser on tackling violence against women and girls, branded the decision "an assault on women's human rights, their lives and their families".
The Women's Equality Party tweeted: "Make no mistake. Women will die because of this ruling, and tens of thousands more will be criminalised or forced to continue with pregnancies they did not choose.
"It is barbaric, inhumane and utterly heartbreaking. Solidarity with our sisters."
While London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "London stands with the women of America whose most basic rights and freedoms are threatened by this ruling.
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"A dark day for a great country."
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Campaign group Abortion Rights is calling for a protest outside the US Embassy tonight.
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