Over 60 women celebrities from the UK and Ireland have signed an open letter from Amnesty International calling on Prime Minister Theresa May to back the Abortion Bill.

They include Kate Beckinsale, Claire Foy, Jodie Whittaker, Vanessa Redgrave, Meera Syal and Amnesty Ambassador Olivia Colman.

Speaking ahead of the debate, Diana Johnson, Labour MP for Hull North, who introduced the bill, said: “The situation in Northern Ireland is grave and urgent.

“My decriminalisation bill has support from almost every UK political party and will be in Parliament [today]. The Government must give it the time it needs to progress. Women need this change. Abortion is a healthcare and human rights issue. It’s time it was treated as such.”

Nicky Morgan MP, a co-sponsor of the bill, added: “There are many desperate women and families who need help now and shouldn’t be asked to wait for political situations such as Brexit to be resolved.”