MPs urge government to pursue rethink of ‘antiquated’ abortion law after mother jailed

The victims minister Edward Argar was today called to the commons to answer an Urgent Question, from the Labour MP Dame Diana Johnson on Section 58 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

The 1861 law was used to prosecute mother-of-three Carla Foster who was convicted of inducing an abortion outside the legal limit using pills at home.

Dame Diana said: “It throws a spotlight on our antiquated abortion laws, and government and parliament must look at this outdated legislation and make it fit for the 21st century”.