Anger over abortion debate halt

Dr Harris said the abortion debate had been "pre-empted"

An Oxfordshire MP has accused the government of "running scared" of debate on abortion after attempts to make reforms were effectively shelved.

Liberal Democrat Evan Harris had pushed for changes to allow one doctor, rather than two, to approve an abortion.

But it is unlikely there will be enough time for the measures to be debated when the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill returns to the Commons.

The MP accused the government of "control freakery at its worst".

Campaigners on both sides of the debate are said to be angry at the timetable.

'Flagship' bill

The BBC has learned that the government may allow parliamentary debate time on abortion in two years.

The government has pre-empted the debate, pre-empted Parliament's right through a whipped vote, to have a free debate and free vote on this issue Dr Evan Harris Lib Dem MP

Commons leader Harriet Harman, who has insisted the bill remains a "flagship" government measure, will outline the timetable for its remaining stages on Wednesday.

Opposition MPs believe this means abortion amendments are unlikely to be discussed.

Dr Harris, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, said: "The government has pre-empted the debate, pre-empted Parliament's right through a whipped vote, to have a free debate and free vote on this issue.

"Win or lose, I would rather see that than a government that is running scared of any parliamentary debate, seen to get its way through this procedure.

"It seems that this is simply a device by government to deny Parliament a say on a free-vote issue and it's control freakery at its worst."

The controversial amendments had also included extending abortion rights to Northern Ireland.

If approved, the bill would result in the most significant shake-up of embryology laws for 20 years.