by Charles Hymas, Telegraph
The law in England and Wales means women can currently terminate their pregnancy up to 24 weeks without being investigated by the police
Women peers are mounting an attempt to overturn MPs’ plans to decriminalise abortion.
Baroness Monckton, a longstanding campaigner on disability, wants to overturn the Commons proposals that would stop women in England and Wales being prosecuted for ending their pregnancy.
Opponents of the change say it would lead to a significant increase in the number of women performing dangerous late-term abortions at home.
Lady Monckton tabled an amendment on Friday backed by women peers including Baroness Hoey, a former Labour minister, Baroness Maclean, a former Tory safeguarding minister, and crossbench peer Baroness O’Loan, a former Northern Ireland police ombudsman.
A second amendment, tabled on Thursday by Baroness Stroud and backed by women peers, is seeking to ban “abortion pills by post” by reinstating in-person consultations with a medical professional prior to an abortion taking place at home.
The moves come after MPs voted by a majority of 242 in June to decriminalise abortion in the biggest change to the law in England and Wales for nearly 60 years.