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| MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| MPs have voted to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales. | |
| MPs have backed a bill by 172 votes in favour, versus 142 against. | |
| The bill will now go to a second reading on 24th March, before it can be passed into law. | |
| In 1967, the Abortion Act was passed which made terminations legal subject to doctors' approval and if a pregnant person can prove they meet predetermined criteria. | In 1967, the Abortion Act was passed which made terminations legal subject to doctors' approval and if a pregnant person can prove they meet predetermined criteria. |
| However, critics say the law does not go far enough as people who do not meet these conditions who have an abortion are committing a criminal offence. | However, critics say the law does not go far enough as people who do not meet these conditions who have an abortion are committing a criminal offence. |
| It is thought the growing availability of online abortion pills is increasing the number of terminations women have in the UK, outside of official, licensed clinics. | It is thought the growing availability of online abortion pills is increasing the number of terminations women have in the UK, outside of official, licensed clinics. |
| In addition, women are committing an offence if they have a termination after the 24-week limit. | In addition, women are committing an offence if they have a termination after the 24-week limit. |
| Labour MP Diana Johnson introduced the debate to the House of Commons, known as a Ten-Minute Rule bill, which calls for full decriminalisation. She told MPs: "There is no other medical procedure in this country is governed by legislation this old, this out of step with medical developments and public attitudes. | |
| "Doctors are poorly served by a criminal framework which does not apply to other areas of medicine." | |
| The bill is backed by the Royal College of Midwives and the British Pregnancy Advisory service. | The bill is backed by the Royal College of Midwives and the British Pregnancy Advisory service. |
| However, anti-abortion groups say the move could result in more abortions taking place. They say it could result in abortions taking place at later dates, or gender selective abortions occurring. | |
| Conservative MP Maria Caulfield opposed the bill, telling MPs they must protect "the rights of the unborn child". | |
| The bill only applies to England and Wales. | The bill only applies to England and Wales. |
| In Northern Ireland, abortion remains illegal under almost all circumstances, including rape and incest. A number of women have recently been prosecuted for having terminations or helping others to do so. | In Northern Ireland, abortion remains illegal under almost all circumstances, including rape and incest. A number of women have recently been prosecuted for having terminations or helping others to do so. |
| A woman is currently awaiting trial accused of helping her 15-year-old daughter 'commit' an abortion by enabling her to access abortion pills. | A woman is currently awaiting trial accused of helping her 15-year-old daughter 'commit' an abortion by enabling her to access abortion pills. |
| Last week, Northern Irish police carried out raids on women's homes looking for abortion pills. | Last week, Northern Irish police carried out raids on women's homes looking for abortion pills. |
| In Scotland, abortion is a devolved issue falling within Holyrood's remit. | In Scotland, abortion is a devolved issue falling within Holyrood's remit. |