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Stormont to be recalled after abortion petition | Stormont to be recalled after abortion petition |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Assembly members are set to return to the Stormont chamber for the first time in nearly three years after 30 members signed a petition triggering a recall. | Assembly members are set to return to the Stormont chamber for the first time in nearly three years after 30 members signed a petition triggering a recall. |
The move was proposed by the DUP in a last-ditch attempt to stop the reform of Northern Ireland's abortion law. | The move was proposed by the DUP in a last-ditch attempt to stop the reform of Northern Ireland's abortion law. |
Laws on abortion and same-sex marriage in NI will change unless devolution is restored by Monday, 21 October. | |
So the recall will not affect the impending law changes, as it would need an executive to be appointed too. | So the recall will not affect the impending law changes, as it would need an executive to be appointed too. |
On Thursday, the assembly Speaker Robin Newton wrote to all 90 MLAs informing them that the petition had reached 30 signatures, meaning the special sitting will take place on Monday. | |
Apart from 27 DUP MLAs, those who signed include Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann and his party colleagues Robbie Butler and Roy Beggs, as well as TUV leader Jim Allister. | |
Confirming the target had been reached, DUP leader Arlene Foster said it will provide an opportunity for MLAs to show their opposition to the proposed law changes. | |
"Hopefully we will be able to debate the issue on Monday," she added. | "Hopefully we will be able to debate the issue on Monday," she added. |
It is not clear if MLAs will be able to debate the abortion law changes as, first, they have to elect a speaker with cross-community support. | It is not clear if MLAs will be able to debate the abortion law changes as, first, they have to elect a speaker with cross-community support. |
Sinn Féin will not be present and the SDLP is still considering its options. | Sinn Féin will not be present and the SDLP is still considering its options. |
Alliance said Monday's sitting was "all about the denial of rights" and suggested it would not attend the session, but would instead "use appropriate opportunities to make our point". | Alliance said Monday's sitting was "all about the denial of rights" and suggested it would not attend the session, but would instead "use appropriate opportunities to make our point". |
The Speaker said it was likely that the assembly would sit at 12:00 GMT on Monday, but that he would meet with party whips on Friday to confirm details. | |
The legislation that allows Stormont to be recalled in special circumstances is rarely used. | |
1,000 days without devolution | 1,000 days without devolution |
Stormont's power-sharing government collapsed two-and-a-half years ago amid a bitter row about a green energy scheme and Parliament has had to pass some key legislation for Northern Ireland in the interim. | Stormont's power-sharing government collapsed two-and-a-half years ago amid a bitter row about a green energy scheme and Parliament has had to pass some key legislation for Northern Ireland in the interim. |
The DUP has publicly opposed Westminster legislating over the head of local ministers on abortion reform. | The DUP has publicly opposed Westminster legislating over the head of local ministers on abortion reform. |
However, on Tuesday some questioned the timing of the party's move over the recall petition. | However, on Tuesday some questioned the timing of the party's move over the recall petition. |
In a tweet, Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O'Neill described it as "a pointless political stunt". | In a tweet, Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O'Neill described it as "a pointless political stunt". |
Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie also dismissed it as a "stunt" and argued that it looked like a move by the DUP to claim to voters they had tried to do something in order to placate anti-abortion views. | Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie also dismissed it as a "stunt" and argued that it looked like a move by the DUP to claim to voters they had tried to do something in order to placate anti-abortion views. |
Other Stormont sources believe the strategy is a "mega deflection" - an attempt to move the focus on the party from Brexit to something else. | Other Stormont sources believe the strategy is a "mega deflection" - an attempt to move the focus on the party from Brexit to something else. |
The DUP said it has consistently called for the return of Stormont. | The DUP said it has consistently called for the return of Stormont. |
Independent unionist MLA Claire Sugden told BBC News NI she did not sign the petition, despite speculation she was considering it. | Independent unionist MLA Claire Sugden told BBC News NI she did not sign the petition, despite speculation she was considering it. |
She said it specifically related to the abortion matter, rather than the wider issue of devolution not being in place for more than 1,000 days. | She said it specifically related to the abortion matter, rather than the wider issue of devolution not being in place for more than 1,000 days. |