A sad day for rights of the disabled

Carla Lockhart MP • November 25, 2022

Upper Bann MP and Chair of the Pro-Life All-Party Group in Westminster, Carla Lockhart, has said the Court of Appeal decision to reject a challenge brought by Heidi Crowter, a disability campaigner living with Down’s syndrome, to allow abortion up to birth of babies with the condition is a sad day for the rights of those with a disability.

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.”

Share

By Carla Lockhart MP July 2, 2025
The Labour government is in crisis and facing mounting pressure to climbdown on its proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR).
By Carla Lockhart MP July 2, 2025
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has called on the UK Government to ensure that parents of premature babies are properly supported through parental leave entitlements and has urged Northern Ireland to follow suit with legislative progress that reflects the unique challenges these families face.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 2, 2025
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart has today issued a scathing criticism of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland following his dismissive response to serious concerns raised in Parliament about the impact of the Windsor Framework on local businesses.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 2, 2025
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has praised the organisers, volunteers, and local community following a highly successful Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund Vintage Cavalcade held in Waringstown.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 2, 2025
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has strongly criticised the Infrastructure Minister following the latest announcement of part-time 20mph speed limits outside schools with not a single school in Upper Bann included in the new tranche.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 2, 2025
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has paid tribute to the warmth and generosity of the Waringstown community following her visit to a special coffee morning hosted by Evelyn Hall in memory of her late husband, Mervyn, on what would have been his birthday.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 2, 2025
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has strongly criticised the Infrastructure Minister following the latest announcement of part-time 20mph speed limits outside schools with not a single school in Upper Bann included in the new tranche.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 1, 2025
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has strongly condemned the Government’s handling of today’s welfare reform debate, describing the scenes in the House of Commons as “pantomime politics at its best.” The debate on the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit Bill was marked by confusion, with significant policy changes announced live from the despatch box, leaving MPs reacting to legislation that was changing before their eyes.
By Carla Lockhart MP July 1, 2025
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart is appealing to livestock farmers in Northern Ireland to remain vigilant as the threat from Bluetongue disease increases.
By Carla Lockhart MP June 26, 2025
Upper Bann MP and DUP Westminster Agriculture Spokesperson Carla Lockhart has tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons opposing the enforcement of burdensome EU regulations on the movement of used agricultural and forestry machinery from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
More Posts