Amnesty International has warned that negotiations between Prime Minister Theresa May and DUP leader Arlene Foster must not undermine abortion law reform in Northern Ireland.

The international human rights group issued the call ahead of a meeting between the two leaders, who are negotiating to allow Mrs May’s Conservatives to form a minority government.

The DUP has blocked repeated attempts to reform abortion laws in Northern Ireland and has proposed legislative amendments which would reinforce the criminalisation of women who seek abortions.

Grainne Teggart, campaigns manager for Amnesty International, said: “The UK Government has a responsibility to deliver abortion rights for women in Northern Ireland. A failure to do so would be a cruel betrayal of women. While health and justice are devolved matters, the UK Government is responsible for upholding human rights.”

Ms Teggart added: “We are today calling on the next UK Government to commit, particularly in the absence of functioning devolution, to prioritise bringing Northern Ireland’s abortion laws in line with international human rights standards. This must include the decriminalisation of abortion.”