In a landmark vote, the House of Lords has backed a clause that would pardon women convicted of illegal abortions, marking a significant shift in UK abortion law. The amendment, introduced by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, aims to end the criminalisation of women who terminate pregnancies outside the legal framework, while maintaining existing laws for doctors and others.
The vote came after an attempt to strike out the clause was defeated, and a separate move to ban telemedicine for early abortions also failed. Peers extended the scope to pardon those already convicted and expunge police records of those arrested, addressing concerns that even arrests without charges could show up on enhanced DBS checks, affecting employment and travel.
Campaigners and affected women welcomed the decision. Nikki Packer, cleared last year of illegal abortion, said: 'I'm so happy the vote passed. Knowing that this is the end of prosecutions, investigations and the trauma... will not happen to anyone else is great.' Louise McCudden of MSI Reproductive Choices called it a 'landmark moment' that would bring relief to women facing traumatic investigations.
Heidi Stewart, chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, highlighted that abortion-related offences were previously classed as serious crimes, leaving lasting records. 'These laws have been used against some of the most vulnerable women and girls, including victims of domestic abuse, human trafficking and children,' she said.
