Speaking after the judgement was announced in London, Carla Lockhart said:

“We live in a society where we hear of demands for equality and rights on a daily basis. In recent weeks, this has been in sharp focus with the World Cup and the debate around rights in Qatar.

Yet today in our own country, that most basic yet most important human right – the right to life – has been denied to those babies diagnosed in the womb with Down’s syndrome.

The Court of Appeal has enshrined inequality in law. A baby without a diagnosis of Down’s cannot be aborted right up to full term. A baby diagnosed with Down’s, even in the week before full term, can be aborted because it is disabled.

This is an appalling reflection on our society. Today our Courts have said those with Down’s are less worthy of the right to life. For those living with the condition, many of whom live full, active and loving lives, it is a callous message issued from our judiciary.

I commend Heidi Cowter for her campaigning on this issue. I trust she will bring this to the Supreme Court, and that at that stage we can have equality and rights re-established for those diagnosed with Down’s.”