MPs prepare for fight to lower time limit on abortion

A parliamentary battle to cut the time limit on abortions from its current level of 24 weeks is being prepared by MPs.

Campaigners plan to "hijack" the Government's forthcoming changes to the law on fertilisation and embryology to stage what would be the first full-scale Commons vote on lowering the legal limit for 17 years.

A leaked memo from Caroline Flint, the public health minister, has revealed that ministers are preparing to be confronted with the incendiary move. Read more