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Lords Uphold Clause Decriminalising Women’s Self‑Managed Abortions, Approve Pardons

The vote leaves the decriminalisation measure intact ahead of renewed Commons scrutiny.

Overview

  • Peers voted 185–148 against Baroness Monckton’s amendment to remove Clause 208, which would end criminal liability for a woman who ends her own pregnancy at any stage.
  • The House of Lords rejected 191–119 Baroness Stroud’s bid to reinstate mandatory in‑person consultations before prescribing abortion pills.
  • Peers backed 180–58 an amendment to pardon women previously convicted or cautioned for illegal abortions, with their details to be removed from police systems.
  • The measure does not change the 24‑week statutory limit for authorised providers, and medics or others who assist after that limit could still face prosecution if the bill becomes law.
  • Ministers maintained neutrality as a letter from 1,015 clinicians warned of safety risks linked to remote pill provision, and polling cited in coverage reported minimal public support for abortion described as ‘up to birth’.