A cross-party group of 79 MPs and Peers have called for delaying the commencement of the ‘abortion up to birth’ law change until an impact assessment and guidance, for police, prosecutors and healthcare professionals, has been published and approved by both Houses.
Clause 246 of the Crime and Policing Bill removes all criminal sanctions from women who self-induce abortions, at any time up to birth. It was controversially approved by the House of Lords last week after having been approved in the House of Commons after minimal debate.
A large number of high-profile MPs and Peers have joined the call including multiple signatories from Labour, the Conservatives, Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats.
The calls coincide with Baroness O’Loan, former Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, supported by a large cross-party group of Peers, tabling a Regret Motion at Third Reading of the Crime and Policing Bill in the House of Lords.
Even if agreed to, the motion will not stop or amend the legislation, but gives members an opportunity to put on record their dissent.