The DUP’s Ian Paisley has said the party will not tolerate any diminution of the rights of the unborn for the sake of preserving its deal with the Tory government. Mr Paisley, who is a member of the House of Commons in Britain, said: “I’m going to make it absolutely clear that the rights of the unborn child, in my view and in the views of people in my party and on this bench, trump any political agreement that had been put in place.

“We’re making that absolutely and abundantly clear, and if anyone thinks that we would take a view where we would trade that issue of life and the sanctity of life on a political deal, they don’t understand me and they don’t understand my party and they need to be aware of that.”

The remarks came after the devolved Government in Wales announced they intend to follow the lead of the NHS in England and pay for the abortions of women from Northern Ireland. It is also expected that Scotland will make similar arrangements.