Abortion-supporting MLA Matthew O'Toole 'out of step with most of the SDLP', says former party rep Richie McPhillips
Former SDLP representative Richie McPhillips has hit out at a pro-abortion SDLP MLA, stating that he does not represent him, or the vast majority of SDLP members.
Mr McPhillips slammed the comments made by South Belfast SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole on Tuesday. Mr McPhillips criticised the party MLA for his pro-abortion views, saying that he did “not speak for the vast majority of SDLP members.”
"As a father and grandfather and the father of a doctor, I know only too well the great problem these new laws have brought upon society here in Northern Ireland" - Richie McPhillips
The comments were made by the South Belfast MLA at Stormont on Tuesday. Speaking in the Assembly, Mr O'Toole said he welcomed the fact that abortion is now legal in Northern Ireland.
The barbaric new regime, which came into force on Tuesday, imposes abortion on demand up to 24 weeks on Northern Ireland.
Following Mr O'Toole's comments, former Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Richie McPhillips tweeted: "The Assembly is sitting this morning and discussing the legislation.
"Disappointing to hear the SDLP member for South Belfast (Mr O'Toole) speak in favour of the changes. He does not speak for me or the vast majority of SDLP members."
Mr McPhillips later added: "As a member of the SDLP, a party that was founded out of the Civil Rights Association, what other greater civil right is there than the right to life? I am referring to life of the unborn and the mother in this situation.
"I know for many it is a very emotive issue, but the importance of life and especially life in the womb cannot be dismissed, as some do.
As a father and grandfather and the father of a doctor, I know only too well the great problem these new laws have brought upon society here in Northern Ireland.
"I can only hope like many that the Assembly will in the future have an opportunity to reverse the law."
An SDLP spokeswoman told the Belfast Telegraph: "SDLP elected representatives have the freedom to vote in accordance with their conscience on this issue."
Abortion was previously allowed only in limited circumstances. However, last July MPs at Westminster passed provisions on terminations in the absence of the Assembly.
Northern Ireland’s electorate had persistently voted for pro-life politicians, ensuring the protection of the province’s long-standing pro-life laws. Over 300,000 people in Northern Ireland stood for life and against abortion through Precious Life Petition Campaigns in recent years. In September last year, tens of thousands of people gridlocked Belfast City Centre at the March for their Lives to send a message of resistance to any change to our laws safeguarding both mothers and babies in the womb.
However, following the passing of a Private Member’s Bill, and the subsequent failure of Northern Ireland’s politicians to return to Stormont by 21st October 2019 to stop the law, abortion on demand was imposed against the will of the people on 31st March.
In the midst of the global coronavirus crisis, the UK government announced last week that it would be going ahead with the imposition of abortion. The law, published last week, allows abortion up to the point of birth for babies with disabilities such as Down’s Syndrome or Cleft Lip, and abortion on demand under the grounds of mental health (under which 97-98% of abortions are carried out in Britain).
These were published last week, setting out when and where abortions could take place, as well as who could carry them out.
The ferocious new law also allows for abortions to take place in a range of locations, and stipulates that abortions do not have to be legally carried out by a doctor, but can be performed by nurses or midwives. Further, the extreme and shocking legislation removes the requirement for two doctors to sign off on an abortion, as is the case in Britain.
Here in Northern Ireland we have the most extreme and radical abortion laws anywhere in Europe - Paul Givan MLA
Tuesday's debate at Stormont heard from pro-life voices who stated that the new regime was among the most liberal in Europe.
DUP MLA Paul Givan criticised the NIO for introducing the changes even though Stormont was sitting.
He also claimed the abortion industry would be pleased.
"Here in Northern Ireland we have the most extreme and radical abortion laws anywhere in Europe," Mr Givan said.
"It is a travesty that this has been allowed to happen."
TUV Leader Jim Allister also bravely spoke up for the unborn child. He said: “At a time when the minds of all of us are focused on saving lives it is all the more abhorrent and perverse that we have regulations coming into force today which sanction the killing of the unborn."
He added: "From today, what should be the safest place for an unborn (child) - namely, its mother's womb - can become on a whim one of the most dangerous places because we are going now to have utterly unfettered, uncontrolled abortion up to 12 weeks."
Mr Allister also called for the repeal of the law, stating: “I urge this assembly to find time to reverse this outrageous, obnoxious situation, and to find voice, and to give voice, to the unborn.”
Precious Life would like to thank these pro-life MLAs for speaking up for the voiceless and their mothers, and are asking pro-life people across Northern Ireland to offer them their support and congratulate them for being so vocally pro-life at a time when many are silent.