Minister insists evidence for abortion change is lacking

Thu, 26 Jan 2017

Health and Social Care Minister Kate Beecroft MHK

The Health and Social Care Minister says there is no evidence to support the need to change the Island's abortion laws.

Kate Beecroft was one of three MHKs to vote against allowing Ramsey MHK Alex Allinson to introduce a private members bill looking at updating the current regulations.

Responding to criticism of her decision on Facebook, Mrs Beecroft revealed she asked her Department to find evidence that the legislation needed to be changed, but that there was none.

She also believes that a select committee should have looked at the concept first, as suggested in a failed amendment by Douglas East member Chris Robertshaw.

The Liberal Vannin leader dismissed concerns that her vote was influenced by religious views, insisting that she was simply speaking as the DHSC Minister.