UK faces sharp rise in abortion convictions

Britain is on the verge of convicting as many women for illegal abortions in 18 months as it has for the previous 55 years, as the number of prosecutions continues to rise.

Data from leading UK abortion provider British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) shows three women were convicted of having an illegal abortion between 1967 and 2022 in England and Wales, but in the last 18 months alone, six women have been prosecuted over suspected abortion offences.

Of the six prosecutions, three cases were dropped. But one woman was sent to prison and two cases are awaiting trial, BPAS revealed.

Meanwhile, co-chair of the British Society of Abortion Care Providers, Dr Jonathan Lord, says he is