Arlene Foster has said that the DUP will “always speak up for the unborn child” as she has warned that despite recent legislation being passed at Westminster, abortion reform is not a done deal in Northern Ireland.

On the same day that the DUP leader met with newly elected British Prime Minster Boris Johnson, Mrs. Foster released a statement saying that “abortion is one issue where alliances have developed across the main traditions in the community”.

A DUP spokesperson has confirmed that in recent weeks Mrs. Foster has received over 5,000 emails, letters and petitions from constituents who have voiced their concern over the introduction of abortion measures in Northern Ireland.

A landmark vote was taken in Westminster in July aimed at implementing abortion and same sex marriage legislation in Northern Ireland by 21 October this year.

The caveat to the legislation is that it will not come into law if the Northern Ireland Executive has been re-established by that date.

“I remain determined to reach an agreement that will restore the Northern Ireland Executive. Therefore there will be no requirement for the implementation of the Northern Ireland Executive Formation Bill,” Mrs. Foster said.

She said that the “drastic approach” taken by the passing of this legislation at Westminster “would be unacceptable for Northern Ireland and leave no effective legal framework in place”.

Mrs. Foster also stated that her party’s confidence and supply agreement “does not extend to abortion”.

“The Conservative Party does not whip their MPs on this matter,” she said.

Ms Foster also said that there has been a development of cross community “alliances” on the issue of abortion.

“As the Party Leader, I feel that abortion is one issue where alliances have developed across the main traditions in the community. As I have been indicating, research by the Both Lives Matter campaign highlights that at least 100,000 people are alive in Northern Ireland today who wouldn’t have been if the 1967 Act had been extended here.”

The DUP leader is adamant that decisions on abortion should be taken be elected representatives from Northern Ireland and said that her commitment is to see the restoration of power to Stormont:

“I remain determined to reach an agreement that will restore the Northern Ireland Executive. Therefore there will be no requirement for the implementation of the Northern Ireland Executive Formation Bill. We strongly believe that it should be elected representatives from Northern Ireland, taking decisions on issues of life and the protection of the unborn child.”

Ms Foster also spoke about the concern that has been voiced to her by constituents.

“Over the past week I have received a huge number of emails and private messages of concern about the legislation being passed via Westminster that would introduce abortion measures here in Northern Ireland. I wish to personally thank each of you for your correspondence on an issue that is causing great concern and worry within our constituency. The DUP have consistently advocated a strong pro-life position. We will always speak up for the unborn child.”