Abortion U-turn

Two disabled peers have withdrawn their support for an amendment to abortion laws that would make it illegal to abort a disabled foetus up to term. In most cases a pregnancy cannot be terminated after 24 weeks. But termination up to term is allowed if there is a risk of what is called “serious handicap”.

An amendment to the human fertilisation and embryology bill, tabled by Baroness Masham and initially supported by Baroness Campbell (pictured) and Baroness Wilkins, would have introduced an equal time limit for abortion.

But Baroness Campbell told Disability Now that she did not want to be seen as a supporter of the pro-life movement.

She said: “I do not think that this bill is the right place for that amendment because we haven’t had a sophisticated debate around a woman’s right to choose in relation to the abortion of disabled foetuses.”

Baroness Wilkins added: “My support for the amendment would be misinterpreted as being in support for the right to life and against a woman’s right to choose.”