Belfast Councillors Suspended Over Marie Stopes Motion

11.04.2017

The SLDP has suspended three Belfast councillors for failing to support a pro-abortion motion which characterised abortion as “healthcare” and alleged women were being harassed outside abortion advice clinics.

SDLP group leader Pat Convery, deputy group leader Kate Mullan and Cllr Declan Boyle were suspended indefinitely for refusing to follow the party line and condemn pro-life campaigners approaching women as they visited the Marie Stopes International abortion facility in the city centre.

The motion, entitled “Safe Access to Healthcare”, was proposed by Cllr Georgina Milne (Green Party) and seconded by Cllr Julie-Anne Corr Johnston (Progressive Unionist Party) at the April council meeting at Belfast City Hall. It condemned “all harassment and intimidation taking place outside facilities in Belfast and Northern Ireland that offer reproductive healthcare.”

SPUC. April 7.