MPs have voted to add an amendment to a bill that would decriminalise women having an abortion in England and Wales in a historic vote.
The result of the vote was:
- Ayes: 379
- Noes: 137
That means the amendment was passed with a majority of 242. It was a free vote - MPs were not told how to vote by their parties.
The amendment, tabled by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, would "disapply existing criminal law related to abortion from women acting in relation to her own pregnancy at any gestation, removing the threat of investigation, arrest, prosecution, or imprisonment".
Under current law in England and Wales, abortion is allowed up to the first 24 weeks of pregnancy - and beyond that in certain circumstances.
However, abortion is still considered a criminal offence under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and the Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929 - and it has to be approved by two doctors.
This amendment would prevent women from being prosecuted - but would keep punishments for medical professionals and violent partners who end a pregnancy outside of the existing law.
It has been added to the government's flagship Crime and Policing Bill that is making its way through parliament, and will come law once that bill receives royal assent.