ABORTION was decriminalised in the north of Ireland from midnight today despite a “cynical political stunt” from unionists in a bid to block the changes.

Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) spokeswoman Clare Moore hailed campaigners and said it would work to ensure that legislation is introduced “as quickly as possible.”

In July, Westminster MPs passed legislation requiring the government to liberalise abortion and extend same-sex marriage to the north of Ireland if devolution is not restored by October 21.

Same-sex marriage has also been legalised with the first ceremonies set to take place in the week of Valentine’s Day in 2020.

Unionist parties had triggered the recall of Stormont in an attempt to introduce the Defence of the Unborn Child Bill 2019.

But they could not proceed without a speaker being elected with cross-community backing.

This was impossible after the SDLP left the chamber. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) also stormed out.

DUP leader Arlene Foster branded it a “shameful” day which would leave the six counties with “Europe’s most liberal abortion laws.”