Legal proceedings against Government started after double U-turn on abortion

"This is not how democratic governments are supposed to act," said Christian Concern chief executive Andrea Williams (Photo: Unsplash/Eva Dang)

Christian Concern is mounting a legal challenge against changes to abortion regulations brought in by the Government during the coronavirus crisis. 

The Government first announced on its website on March 23 that it would permit DIY abortions during the lockdown. 

The information was subsequently removed from the web page with a message in its place saying that the changes had been posted "in error".

A day later, health secretary Matt Hancock said that there were no proposals on the table to change abortion rules due to Covid-19. 

This position remained when the Coronavirus Bill was brought before the House of Lords on March 25, with health minister Lord Bethell rejecting proposed changes to the abortion law on behalf of the Government.

He stated at the time: "We do not agree that women should be able to take both treatments for medical abortion at home. We believe that it is an essential safeguard that a woman attends a clinic, to ensure that she has an opportunity to be seen alone and to ensure that there are no issues." 

Despite this, the Government confirmed on Monday that it had relaxed the rules to allow women and girls to take two abortion pills at home up to 10 weeks after consulting a doctor over the phone or through video link. 

Christian Concern called it an "incredible double U-turn" and "the most significant change to abortion law since 1967".

It is launching a judicial review of the decision to change the rules without proper parliamentary scrutiny.

Christian Concern chief executive, Andrea Williams, said that the Government had "acted unlawfully", as she echoed the fears of former Supreme Court Justice Lord Sumption, who warned of an increasing "police state" during the lockdown. 

She further warned that the changes remove an important safeguard to prevent women from being pressured into abortions.

"We are meant to be living in a democracy. In this case, the Government announced a change, then backtracked and claimed this was an error, then explained to parliament that there would be no changes, and then backtracked again and changed the law anyway. This is not how democratic governments are supposed to act," she said.

"The Government is meant to be acting to protect lives due to the threat of Covid-19. Instead it has acted to make it easier for women to be pressured into ending lives. It has done this in a disgraceful underhand manner.

"The coronavirus crisis is being exploited to make changes to the law which would not be possible if parliament was functioning properly."

She added: "This is nothing less than a fight to preserve our hard-won democratic freedoms which do not allow the government to make changes to the law on a whim with no accountability."

Pro-life group, the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), has said it is also looking into a judicial review into the Government's actions. 

"It is our understanding that such a policy is beyond the scope of the Abortion Act. However, we will closely examine the policy and take appropriate action based on the best legal advice," said SPUC's deputy CEO John Deighan. 

He was scathing of the Government's handling of the issue in the last week, calling it an "utter fiasco".

"What we are witnessing is a shambolic and rudderless Government which has made no less than three contradictory statements in a matter of days," he said. 

50% OFF
HDPE All-Weather Adirondack Chair with Built-In Cup Holder - Tool-Free Assembly (Grey)
$69.99 $139.99
10% OFF
aumuca Undercoat Rake for Dogs & Cats - Professional Deshedder and Dematting Grooming Comb
$17.99 $19.99
15% OFF
Hypoallergenic Pet Wipes for Dogs & Cats - 400 Count Extra Large Coconut Scented Grooming Wipes
$25.49 $29.99
60% OFF
HOMETUK Clear Plastic Storage Bins with Dividers - 3-Pack Stackable Acrylic Organizer Containers for Fridge and Pantry
$19.99 $49.99
58% OFF
G Gradual Men's Fishing Shirt - UPF 50+ Lightweight Short Sleeve Button Down with Zipper Pockets
$14.99 $35.99
11% OFF
VitaUp Beet Root Gummies with CoQ10 & Grape Seed - Nitric Oxide Circulation Support (60 Count)
$24.91 $27.91
51% OFF
G Gradual Men's Athletic Workout T-Shirt - Moisture Wicking Cooling Short Sleeve Running Tee
$9.89 $19.99
55% OFF
Everyfun 60" Rectangular Platform Tree Swing - 700lbs Heavy Duty Adjustable Outdoor Swing (Colorful)
$49.99 $110.99
49% OFF
Ekouaer Jumpsuits for Women Dressy Casual - Ruffle Cap Sleeve Rib Knit Summer Romper
$14.99 $29.51
61% OFF
Ekouaer Women's Casual Loose Jumpsuit - One-Piece Printed Sleeveless Wide Leg Romper with Pockets
$14.99 $37.99
50% OFF
Ekouaer Lounge Sets for Women - V-Neck Two-Piece Short Pajama Set with Large Pockets
$9.9 $19.99
40% OFF
ROTAKE TB3 20V Heavy Duty 1/2" Cordless Impact Wrench Kit - 1380 Ft-Lbs Torque
$132 $219.99
36% OFF
Men's Athletic Running Shorts with Zipper Pockets - Lightweight & Quick Dry
$12.74 $19.99
61% OFF
Modern Ceiling Fan with Light and Remote - Reversible Quiet DC Motor
$69.3 $179.99
50% OFF
MOOKA H13 True HEPA Air Purifier for Home Large Room - 1076 sq ft Odor Eliminator
$39.97 $79.95
50% OFF
LINGDU V630 3-Channel 4K Dash Cam - Front, Cabin, and Rear Triple Car Camera with 64GB Card
$69.99 $139.99
60% OFF
GKBK Women’s Ribbed Short Sleeve Scoop Neck Slim Fit Tee – Stretchy Basic Summer Top 2026 Trendy Outfit Essential
$4 $9.99
60% OFF
Ekouaer Women's Satin Silky Pajama Set - Short Sleeve Pullover Top & Wide-Leg Pants
$13.99 $34.99
55% OFF
Ekouaer 3-Piece Maternity & Nursing Pajamas Set - Short Sleeve Top with Shorts and Pants
$14.99 $32.99
Sealy 2-Pack Tritech 16" Twin Inflatable Air Mattress with Built-in AC Pump
$0 $113.99
Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
UK Supreme Court to hear Christian schools’ challenge to VAT on private school fees
UK Supreme Court to hear Christian schools’ challenge to VAT on private school fees

The UK Supreme Court has granted permission for a group of independent Christian schools, parents and pupils to appeal against the government’s decision to impose VAT on private school fees.

Christian police officer reaches settlement over diversity training discrimination claim
Christian police officer reaches settlement over diversity training discrimination claim

North Yorkshire Police have reached a confidential settlement with a former police community support officer (PCSO) who claimed he was discriminated against and forced out after raising questions about Islam during mandatory diversity training.

Historic Lancashire church secures £250,000 National Lottery grant for major roof repairs
Historic Lancashire church secures £250,000 National Lottery grant for major roof repairs

A historic Lancashire church has secured £250,000 in funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to carry out urgent repairs that will safeguard one of Oswaldtwistle's oldest buildings.

Bethel Church distances itself from Todd Bentley and Mike Bickle
Bethel Church distances itself from Todd Bentley and Mike Bickle

Bethel Church has announced a sweeping review of its leadership culture, saying that some areas require "attention and reform".

Today's Top Deals

HDPE All-Weather Adirondack Chair with Built-In Cup Holder - Tool-Free Assembly (Grey)

$69.99
$139.99 50% OFF
View Deal

aumuca Undercoat Rake for Dogs & Cats - Professional Deshedder and Dematting Grooming Comb

$17.99
$19.99 10% OFF
View Deal

Hypoallergenic Pet Wipes for Dogs & Cats - 400 Count Extra Large Coconut Scented Grooming Wipes

$25.49
$29.99 15% OFF
View Deal

HOMETUK Clear Plastic Storage Bins with Dividers - 3-Pack Stackable Acrylic Organizer Containers for Fridge and Pantry

$19.99
$49.99 60% OFF
View Deal

G Gradual Men's Fishing Shirt - UPF 50+ Lightweight Short Sleeve Button Down with Zipper Pockets

$14.99
$35.99 58% OFF
View Deal

VitaUp Beet Root Gummies with CoQ10 & Grape Seed - Nitric Oxide Circulation Support (60 Count)

$24.91
$27.91 11% OFF
View Deal

G Gradual Men's Athletic Workout T-Shirt - Moisture Wicking Cooling Short Sleeve Running Tee

$9.89
$19.99 51% OFF
View Deal

Everyfun 60" Rectangular Platform Tree Swing - 700lbs Heavy Duty Adjustable Outdoor Swing (Colorful)

$49.99
$110.99 55% OFF
View Deal

Ekouaer Jumpsuits for Women Dressy Casual - Ruffle Cap Sleeve Rib Knit Summer Romper

$14.99
$29.51 49% OFF
View Deal

Ekouaer Women's Casual Loose Jumpsuit - One-Piece Printed Sleeveless Wide Leg Romper with Pockets

$14.99
$37.99 61% OFF
View Deal

Ekouaer Lounge Sets for Women - V-Neck Two-Piece Short Pajama Set with Large Pockets

$9.9
$19.99 50% OFF
View Deal

ROTAKE TB3 20V Heavy Duty 1/2" Cordless Impact Wrench Kit - 1380 Ft-Lbs Torque

$132
$219.99 40% OFF
View Deal

Men's Athletic Running Shorts with Zipper Pockets - Lightweight & Quick Dry

$12.74
$19.99 36% OFF
View Deal

Modern Ceiling Fan with Light and Remote - Reversible Quiet DC Motor

$69.3
$179.99 61% OFF
View Deal

MOOKA H13 True HEPA Air Purifier for Home Large Room - 1076 sq ft Odor Eliminator

$39.97
$79.95 50% OFF
View Deal

LINGDU V630 3-Channel 4K Dash Cam - Front, Cabin, and Rear Triple Car Camera with 64GB Card

$69.99
$139.99 50% OFF
View Deal

GKBK Women’s Ribbed Short Sleeve Scoop Neck Slim Fit Tee – Stretchy Basic Summer Top 2026 Trendy Outfit Essential

$4
$9.99 60% OFF
View Deal

Ekouaer Women's Satin Silky Pajama Set - Short Sleeve Pullover Top & Wide-Leg Pants

$13.99
$34.99 60% OFF
View Deal

Ekouaer 3-Piece Maternity & Nursing Pajamas Set - Short Sleeve Top with Shorts and Pants

$14.99
$32.99 55% OFF
View Deal

Sealy 2-Pack Tritech 16" Twin Inflatable Air Mattress with Built-in AC Pump

$0
$113.99 0% OFF
View Deal