Nearly 500 medics have signed an open letter opposing the proposed decriminalisation of abortion in anticipation of a Parliamentary debate on Dame Diana Johnson’s pro-abortion amendment.
Labour MP Dame Diana Johnson’s amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill is due to be debated in Parliament later this month. The amendment would stop all prosecutions of women like Carla Foster suspected of having illegal late-term abortions, meaning that abortion would be decriminalised.
But a group of nearly 500 medical professionals have signed a letter warning MPs that the amendment poses “serious risks” to women’s health.
“Quite aside from the increased number of viable babies’ lives being ended beyond the 24-week time limit”, the letter states, “there would likely be a significant increase in such complications as it would remove any legal deterrent against women performing their own abortions late in pregnancy.
“We believe a legal deterrent remains important.”