Alliance MLA Mr Dickson was speaking following the fall of an amendment to the Justice Bill brought by him and party colleague Trevor Lunn MLA that would have seen reform around FFA cases to allow women carrying such a foetus to access a termination legally in Northern Ireland.
“It was disingenuous for people to claim proper consultation was needed, when the Department of Justice did this extensively in 2014,” he said.
“The creation of a working group on the issue by the DUP conveniently gets the party past the election too. They, other parties and many political representatives made promises to help Sarah Ewart and others who have suffered heartbreaking conditions, so no more women would have to suffer similarly. Yet last night they broke those promises. It is up to them to reflect upon that and make peace with their consciences.
“The campaign to take a major step forward for women’s healthcare in Northern Ireland will not stop. It will be informed by the ultimate outcome of the Horner judgement and if I am re-elected, I will seek to bring a private member’s bill on FFA at the earliest possible opportunity, so we can reform the law and provide options that are not currently there for women.”