People with Down Syndrome, including their families, have signed an open letter to Theresa May opposing plans to impose a radical abortion regime to Northern Ireland, including for babies genetic abnormalities, right through to 28-weeks gestation.

Currently, in Northern Ireland, disability-selective abortion for genetic abnormalities like Down Syndrome is not allowed. Figures from the Department of Health in the North show that while 52 children with the condition were born in 2016, in the same year only one child from Northern Ireland with Down’s syndrome was aborted in England and Wales.

In the rest of the UK, however, the latest statistics show that 90% of unborn babies diagnosed with Down Syndrome are aborted.

Lord Shinkwin, an advocate for disability equality, has strongly denounced the UK Government’s plans. “Northern Ireland is the safest place in the United Kingdom to be diagnosed with a disability”, he said and added that he message it sends to people who are born with a disability is “you are better off dead”.