Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols seeks ‘modern’ abortion debate

MPs have called for regulations to be re-examined after a woman was jailed for using tablets to end her pregnancy illegally.

Focus on the issue has intensified after the mother-of-three was given a 28-month sentence for illegally procuring her own abortion when she was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant.

In the House of Commons on Thursday, MPs with different views on abortion restrictions asked the Government to either look again at the rules and regulations or allow MPs to do so.

Justice minister Edward Argar said access to abortion in England and Wales is settled in law and the Government does not intend to change that.

He added that it is a longstanding position and that it is for the House of Commons and not the Government to make changes on the issue.

Any changes could come via a Bill introduced by a backbench MP or an amendment to legislation passing through the House, the minister said.

Asking an urgent question in the Commons, Labour’s Dame Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) said: “This case was desperately sad and thankfully rare… and throws up important questions that merit an open debate in a healthy democracy.

“Crucially though, it throws a spotlight on our antiquated abortion laws, and Government and Parliament must look at this outdated legislation and make it fit for the 21st century.”

She added: “Decriminalisation does not mean deregulation and time limits would still apply.”

Labour MP Ms Nichols commented the Commons needs to have a ‘modern discussion’ on the issue.

She said: “I would ask the minister if he would ask his colleagues on his side of the house to ensure that, when we have those discussions, they are done in a way where male colleagues are not speculating about what might be in a woman’s mind when she goes to seek treatment of this kind.”

Mr Argar added: “I recognise that abortion is a highly emotive issue across the house, and I understand the strength of feeling on both sides of this debate.

“The Government is committed to ensuring access to safe, legal abortion and that all women in England and Wales have access to regulated abortion services on the NHS.

“I also want to be absolutely clear at the outset, as you have alluded to, Mr Speaker, that I am unable to comment on any decisions made by the court in specific cases.”

He went on to say: “Access to abortion in England and Wales has been settled in law by Parliament and we do not intend to change this.

“It takes nothing away from our commitment to ensuring access to safe, regulated abortion.”

He continued: “The longstanding position remains that it is for this house to seek to make changes if it so wishes, but not for the Government.

“Any such vote would be in normal process a free vote and would be brought before this house in the context of a Private Member’s Bill or similar, or perhaps a dexterous amendment, which I know some MPs opposite are not averse to doing successfully.”