The British Parliament has approved proposals to legalise same-sex marriage and decriminalise abortion in Northern Ireland, unless a devolved government is formed by the 21st of October.
The amendments were passed overwhelmingly by MPs yesterday afternoon.
Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK and Ireland where gay marriage and abortion are banned.
Legislation to allow same-sex marriage in England, Wales and Scotland was passed in 2014 but has never been introduced in Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland in all but the most extreme circumstances.
The same sex marriage amendment was brought yesterday by Labour MP Conor McGinn.
It was supported by 383 votes to 73, a majority of 310.
His fellow Labour MP Stella Creasy's amendment similarly called on the UK government to move towards extending abortion access in Northern Ireland if there is no devolved administration by the same deadline.
It was supported by 332 votes to 99, a majority of 233.
WE DID IT !!!!!
The House of Commons has voted by a massive majority to introduce same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland if the Stormont Executive isn’t restored by 21st October.
Thank you to @Love_EqualityNI & the thousands of people who have campaigned for equal marriage. pic.twitter.com/TDalAw1VIg— Conor McGinn MP (@ConorMcGinn) July 9, 2019
