A Labour MP has launched a bid to decriminalise abortions, after campaigners revealed estimates that police have prosecuted more than 100 women under abortion laws in recent years.
Abortion remains a criminal offence in England and Wales unless under strict circumstances – including taking place before 24 weeks into the pregnancy with the approval of two doctors – under a 164-year-old law.
Tonia Antoniazzi, Labour MP for Gower, tabled an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill to decriminalise the process without "changing anything about provision of abortion care".
Antoniazzi said the current situation was "unacceptable" and led to police prosecuting vulnerable women.
Nearly 60 MPs from Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Green Party and Plaid Cymru have put their names to Antoniazzi's amendment.
MPs had been due to debate similar amendments last year, but Parliament was dissolved for the general election before this could take place.
