Chemical abortions are to be provided in Northern Ireland in an emergency response to the coronavirus pandemic, a pro-choice group has said.

The provision of lethal abortion drugs within the first nine weeks and six days of pregnancy will be arranged through existing sexual and reproductive health services in the Belfast, Northern and Western health and social care trusts.

Informing Choices NI launched what it termed a central access point to offer a pathway to obtaining an abortion.

The process will involve attending a local clinic to take the first abortion pill while the second set of pills can be taken at home.

In response, Bernadette Smyth, Director of Precious Life in Belfast, said: “The news that this horrific abortion pill is set to become available is devastating for unborn children and their mothers.”

She continued, “In response to the coronavirus crisis, instead of directing the focus towards saving lives, this so-called ‘charity’ has capitalised on the fear and crisis of abortion-vulnerable women to introduce the killing of their unborn children. This is about making money, and about pushing a radical abortion agenda at a time of crisis.”