Abortion decriminalised and same-sex marriage legalised in NI overnight as attempt to get the Assembly up falls at first hurdle

Oct 22, 2019, 10:53 AM

Abortion has been decriminalised and same-sex marriage is to be legalised in Northern Ireland. Legislation making the changes - which was passed by MPs at Westminster - came into force at midnight despite last ditch attempts by the DUP to introduce a private members bill.

The speaker, the DUPs Robin Newton, argued that there could be no business done with out the election of a new speaker which needed cross community vote. 

Stephen spoke with DUP's Paul Givan,  UUP's Mike Nesbitt and Stephen Farry from the Alliance party.