Abortion regulations introduced in Northern Ireland remain in place despite a previous report in the Irish News that they had been withdrawn before a crucial Westminster vote.

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) said they are being ‘remade’, which means introducing the same regulations back into parliament at a future date. This allow for the amending of some typographical errors, but it does not allow for any significant changes.

An NIO spokeswoman said in a statement: “Given the unprecedented situation created by the Covid-19 pandemic and the impact this has had on parliamentary proceedings, we intend to re-make these regulations on Monday May 11, giving parliament an additional 28 sitting days to consider them”.

It is understood the ‘remaking’ will ensure that the regulations will apply continuously, and has no effect on the provision of abortion services in Northern Ireland.

Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland campaign manager, said: “The minor technical issue identified with the regulations does not change anything – abortion remains legal and can be lawfully carried out in line with the current regulations.

Aontú’s councillor for Foyle, Dr Anne McCloskey, criticised the relentless push to force through the regulations. She said it was “abhorrent that the British parliament in conjunction with Sinn Féin and the SDLP leadership would attempt to railroad through regulations”.

“The message is still not getting through to the SDLP, Sinn Féin, and the British Government – only the people of the north of Ireland have a right to decide this law. This is a devolved issue. London has no right to impose this extreme regime on the north against the wishes of the people of the north,” she said.