‘Don’t decriminalise abortion,’ MPs warned

Doctors are urging MPs in England and Wales not to support the decriminalising of abortion in an upcoming vote, saying ‘a legal deterrent remains important'. It comes against the background of increasing numbers of women being investigated for suspected illegal abortions – a trend which abortion campaigners want to halt.

Meanwhile, France has become the first country in the world to make abortion a constitutional right, following a vote on 8 March. As darkness fell, the Eiffel Tower was emblazoned with the message: ‘My Body My Choice.’

Two amendments to abortion laws were due to be voted on in parliament as en went to press: one to decriminalise abortion and the other to lower the legal time limit in the Abortion Act 1967 from 24 weeks to 22 weeks of pregnancy.