SDLP to hold special conference on abortion in private

From John Manley in the Irish News;

The SDLP has confirmed that next month’s special conference to review abortion policy will be held behind closed doors.

The party will hold a conference on Saturday May19 dedicated entirely to abortion policy after it was decided that there would not have been adequate time to discuss the contentious issue at last weekend’s annual conference in Belfast.

An hour had intially been earmarked to debate a number of motions relating to abortion at last Saturday’s conference.

Next month’s special conference will take place six days ahead of the Republic’s May 25 referendum on the repeal of the Eighth Amendment, which protects the rights of the unborn child.

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