There is increasing concern, entirely justified, that the government could concede the principle of “abortion on demand” by allowing the exception to become the rule regarding abortion pills by post. Before the start of the current Covid pandemic, abortion was only allowed under present legislation when two doctors certified that the medical conditions were met. The time limit was set at the start of the 25th week of pregnancy – the “24-week rule”. The abortion that followed was a clinical procedure performed by doctors.

The restrictions were lifted in March last year, however, when face-to-face consultations were suspended to control the spread of the coronavirus. Women could apply online. After a telephone conversation, they could then be sent two pills through the post, to be taken at an interval, which would terminate the pregnancy. This was a somewhat risky procedure, but the risk was thought to be worth the outcome, if women who felt they were in serious need of a termination could still have one. This facility was limited to the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.