Northern Ireland’s First Minister has said he will block any move by Westminster to force Stormont to commission a radical abortion regime. The law is even more permissive than legislation in the rest of the UK.

Paul Givan said he has sought legal advice on how to “resist” an order by the Secretary of State Brandon Lewis directing that the procedure be made widely available by March. The order forces the implementation of legislation imposed on Northern Ireland by Westminster in 2019.

Mr Givan said he is assessing all his options, politically and legally.

“I spoke to the Secretary of State and I said to him he shouldn’t do this, that it was wrong for him to do it.

“We are taking legal advice now as to the implications of that legal action that he has taken and what our options legally are to resist that.

Mr Givan told BBC Northern Ireland that the order made by Mr Lewis had “profound constitutional ramifications”.

He said Mr Lewis “may have to take me to court” for obstructing the Westminster direction.