Pardons given to all women convicted of carrying out abortions on themselves

Pro-abortion demonstrators in London before decriminalisation was voted through last year (Picture: PA)

All British women who were convicted of abortion offences relating to their own pregnancies have been pardoned, the Ministry of Justice has announced.

The move automatically removes the details of women who were convicted, cautioned, arrested or investigated for acting beyond the legal 24-week limit from criminal records.

It comes after the Crime and Policing Act, which became law earlier this year, decriminalised women who end their own pregnancies – or try to do so – up until full-term.

The 24-week limit still applies to medical professionals and anyone else other than ...