Labour MP Stella Creasy and a cross-party group including Liberal Democrat deputy leader Jo Swinson have proposed repealing sections 58 and 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

Supporters say repealing the provisions would fix an historic irregularity in UK abortion laws and allow abortions to be carried out in Northern Ireland, the only part of the UK where abortions remain entirely illegal.

The Abortion Act 1967 is unusual in that it allows doctors in England, Wales and Scotland to legally carry out abortions in specific circumstances, but does not remove abortion as a criminal offence.

Abortion is a common law offence in Scotland and remains a statutory offence under the 1861 Act in the rest of the UK.

A number of people have been prosecuted under the 1861 Act in recent years for the unlawful procuring or administration of abortion, particularly in Northern Ireland where the 1967 Act does not apply.

The UK government has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks to liberalise Northern Ireland’s strict abortion laws in the absence of a functioning Northern Ireland Executive.

Human rights group Amnesty International has said it supports Ms Creasy’s bid to repeal sections of the 1861 Act.

Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland campaigns manager, said: “There is now significant cross-party pressure on the UK Government to be on the right side of history and reform our archaic and discriminatory abortion law.

“We urge as many MPs as possible to prioritise this crucial debate, show their support for women and girls, and commit to the decriminalisation of abortion.

“Time is running out for Theresa May, who cannot continue to be inactive on this pressing women’s rights issue any longer.”