Northern Ireland Office may directly instruct trusts to offer abortion services

Exclusive: Brandon Lewis warns he will soon have no alternative but to take further steps' to ensure services are provided

Brandon Lewis could override the Northern Ireland executive and directly instruct the nation's health trusts to provide abortion services, warning leaders in a leaked letter that the continued delay is unacceptable conduct in public office.

The Northern Ireland secretary wrote to the first minister, Paul Givan, and his deputy, Michelle O'Neill, warning he would soon have no alternative but to take further steps to ensure that women and girls have access to abortion services as decided by parliament, and to which they have a right".