Anti-abortion group plan protest in Belfast

 Abortion protesters outside Newcastle's Slevie Donard Hotel Pro-life campaigners are planning to up the ante in their opposition to Northern Ireland’s first abortion clinic by holding a mass rally in Belfast city centre. Anti-abortion group Precious Life is behind the protest being organised to mark the opening of the controversial Marie Stopes clinic on Great Victoria Street on Thursday.
Notice of the rally comes as pro-life campaigners are also planning to launch a costly legal battle to halt the opening of the clinic which will offer abortions.
But Marie Stopes International last night vowed to go ahead with the opening of its reproductive health centre and said it would launch counter-legal action if necessary.
With just days left before the official opening on Thursday, anti-abortion campaigners are seeking urgent legal advice to apply for an injunction in the High Court.
They had hoped to meet with Health Minister Edwin Poots to urge him to prevent the private clinic from operating. Last night, the minister still had no scheduled plans to meet them, leaving campaigners pursuing legal routes.
“The legal route is a big step and not something you would want to rush into, but this is a big issue and there is not much time left,” said Liam Gibson of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC). “We are still looking at a whole range of options and the legal route is something that we will not be ruling out if it comes down to it.”
But Tracey McNeill, the UK and Europe Director of Marie Stopes International, said that should there be any attempts to prevent the opening of the clinic “necessary action” would be taken.
“Our centre in Belfast has been planned for some time and during that time we have taken a considerable amount of legal advice. All this advice has indicated that we are able to provide a full range of sexual and reproductive health services in our centre in Belfast, within the existing legal and regulatory frameworks in Northern Ireland,” Ms McNeill said. “Should any legal challenges be forthcoming, however, we will take further advice and action as necessary.”
If campaigners fail to prevent the clinic from opening, a mass rally, organised by Precious Life, will be held outside the clinic from 10am to 4pm on Thursday.
Supporters have also been urged to observe three days of “prayer and fasting” between today and Wednesday.
“It is vital that the people of Northern Ireland make a stand against the evil plans of Marie Stopes,” said Precious Life, which was founded by Bernadette Smyth, on its Facebook page.
Precious Life may have to obtain permission from the Parades Commission for the rally.
Ms McNeil said she had concerns about safety for staff and clients and that security guards had been hired. She hopes Thursday's protest will be peaceful.
Marie Stopes has stressed it will only carry out abortions within our strict termination laws.
Because the 1967 Abortion Act does not apply in Northern Ireland, the clinic is not under the remit of the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority watchdog.
Health Minister Edwin Poots yesterday said he intends to ensure the clinic is regulated either through the Department of Health or the police, a move welcomed by Marie Stopes International (MSI).
Tracey McNeill said that working with regulators is standard practice for MSI.