I’m a Celebrity star criticises “sad” UK law that aborts babies with Down Syndrome up to birth

Image credit: I'm a Celebrity / Aitch via Facebook

A star from reality show, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, has hit out at the UK’s abortion law, calling it “sad” that the law allows for babies diagnosed with Down Syndrome to be aborted up to birth, whereas other abortions are limited to 24 weeks. 

I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here is a popular reality show involving a group of celebrities entering a jungle whilst they compete for the title of King or Queen of the Jungle. This year’s season features UK rapper Harrison James Strong, better known as Aitch, who has two twin sisters, Gracie and Hattie, with whom he shares a close bond. Gracie has Down Syndrome, a condition where the person has an extra chromosome, and Aitch has said he is entering the jungle to help raise awareness about the condition. 

“I’m not only just doing it for people with Down Syndrome, I’m doing it for people around as well,” he told the Daily Mail. “I don’t want anyone to be like disheartened or feel s*** if they do find out someone in the family’s got Down Syndrome. It’s a blessing.”

“You’re going to have the best time of your life as long as you’re spending it with that person.”

“My main thing, really and truly, is because I don’t want Down Syndrome to be seen as a negative thing,” he continued. “I don’t want anyone to go like, oh yeah, my kid’s got Down Syndrome, or my sister’s got Down Syndrome, and anyone to have the reply of “oh I’m sorry to hear that” because it’s just definitely not the case. They’re the best people in the world.”

Currently, the UK’s abortion law allows for abortions until 24 weeks of pregnancy, however, if the child is diagnosed with a disability, including Down Syndrome, then an abortion can be done until birth.

Delving into the topic of the UK’s abortion law he said: “I've just learned certain things over the years that make me a bit sad. In terms of you can be a day before giving birth, and if you find out your child's got Down Syndrome, you can still have the option to terminate it.”

"Whereas in another situation, if your kid doesn't have that, you've only got a certain amount of time before you can abort."

Aitch has been vocal about his relationship and value towards his sister Gracie and of his support for the Down Syndrome community. He dedicated his song “My G” to his sister, Gracie, and donated all the funds made from the song to the Down Syndrome Society.

When he introduced the song on Instagram he wrote “Track 14, My G - This one’s straight from the heart.”

“For my sister Gracie, the most perfect girl I’ve ever met. Life wouldn’t be the same without you kid and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Go live your best life mate and enjoy every minute.”

Back in June, Atich spoke of his relationship with Gracie on Jamie Laing’s podcast, Great Company.

“I wouldn’t be half the person I am if she wasn’t here,” he said. “And she actually teaches you lessons that you don’t even realise till after. She always used to grab my face before I used to go to bed and just go, “Harrison, don’t be afraid,””

“It’s taught me, and this sounds bad, but it taught me more to treat everyone the same. And to understand that everyone is a human.”

He also raised funds for the charity by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. He posted a video on his instagram describing this initiative, captioning it “My sister Gracie lights everyone’s world up every time she meets someone and people like her deserve equal opportunities just like me and you.”

This is not the first time the UK has been criticised for their abortion law. Heidi Crowter, a woman with Down Syndrome, took the UK government to court calling their abortion law “downright discrimination” for allowing abortion up until birth if the child has a disability. She sadly lost her case, but has said the fight is not over. 

Sandra Parda of the Life Institute commented, saying: “What an incredible testimony that proves to be very refreshing to read when so many in society have developed an attitude that devalues human beings because of disabilities.”

“Aitch is right that the current UK abortion law allowing for abortions up to birth in the case of a disability is very sad, it is also very inspiring that he is actively raising awareness about Down Syndrome so we can see just how flawed this law really is.

“Everyone deserves a chance at life and it’s about time society recognised that.”