MP Diane Abbott MP accuses government of pushing through abortion changes “behind closed doors.”

MP Diane Abbott MP has expressed concern at the Government’s proposals to push through sweeping changes to abortion without a Parliamentary debate or a vote.

The amendments were tabled in the Health and Social Care Bill by anti-abortion MP Nadine Dorries and Labour backbencher Frank Field, who are pushing for women to have independent counselling before an abortion.

This would mean current abortion providers like the British Pregnancy Advisory Service and Marie Stopes International, would be barred from providing counselling and the move could cause delays for women in getting an abortion.

MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, and Labour’s Shadow Public Health Minister, Diane Abbott expressed her concern: “It’s wrong for the Government to go about these sweeping changes without a proper debate and proper scrutiny in Parliament.

“I think the way the Government is going about these changes, behind closed doors and without discussion with women and in parliament is showing arrogant disregard for millions of women and families across the country.

“If the Government wants to change this, the public must be given a say, and Parliament must be given a vote.”

The Department of Health confirmed it could push through the amendments as part of ‘existing regulations.’