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★ Dame Diana Johnson's amendment

Criminal Justice Bill

Money resolution

Amendment number: NC1

Lead member

Dame Diana Johnson
Labour, Kingston upon Hull North
Commons

Decision

No decision
The House has not considered this amendment.

Amendment text

To move the following Clause—
“Removal of women from the criminal law related to abortion
For the purposes of the law related to abortion, including sections 58 and 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and the Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929, no offence is committed by a woman acting in relation to her own pregnancy.”

Member's explanatory statement

This new clause would disapply existing criminal law related to the accessing or provision of abortion care from women acting in relation to their own pregnancy at any gestation, ensuring no woman would be liable for a prison sentence as a result of seeking to end her own pregnancy. It would not change any law regarding the provision of abortion services within a healthcare setting, including but not limited to the time limit, the grounds for abortion, or the requirement for two doctors’ approval.

Sponsors

Ms Harriet Harman
Labour
Camberwell and Peckham
Caroline Nokes
Conservative
Romsey and Southampton North
Jess Phillips
Labour
Birmingham, Yardley
Dr Rupa Huq
Labour
Ealing Central and Acton
Christine Jardine
Liberal Democrat
Edinburgh West
Zarah Sultana
Labour
Coventry South
Bell Ribeiro-Addy
Labour
Streatham