The Conservative leadership hopeful Jeremy Hunt has been criticised for arguing in favour of halving the legal time limit for abortions from 24 to 12 weeks at a time when the government is facing calls to give women in Northern Ireland the right to an abortion.

Hunt, a former health secretary, said it was still his view that abortions should only be allowed for women up to 12 weeks after conception, but he said he would not seek to change the law on it if he became prime minister.

Asked about the issue on Sky’s Ridge on Sunday programme, Hunt said: “These are matters of conscience, yes, my view hasn’t changed on that. I respect the fact other people have very different views and that’s why these matters are matters for free votes in the House of Commons.”

His comments were branded “alarming” by the Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine, who said it was an attack on women’s rights.

“It is incredibly alarming to see the former health secretary and a candidate in the race to be the next prime minister hold such a view,” she said. “Rather than attacking the women’s rights we already have in some parts of the UK, the Tories should be fighting for them to be equal in Northern Ireland.

“So far the Tory leadership race has shown how out of touch many of those putting themselves forward are. The Liberal Democrats demand better for the UK and think that women across the UK, especially in Northern Ireland, deserve better.”

Another Lib Dem MP, Layla Moran, said Hunt’s comments showed it was “one step forward, two steps back” on women’s rights. “The fight is never over for progressive politics. And this from the man who used to be in charge of the NHS,” she said.

The Labour MP and women’s rights campaigner Jess Phillips said: “Did this one say he was a feminist? It’s hard to keep up with who’s on drugs and who pretends to care about women. Jeremy Hunt, how about we base this stuff on evidence and science and keep what you think is best based on no experience out of this?”

Theresa May came under pressure to act to equalise Northern Ireland abortion law with the rest of the UK when prime minister. A group of female Tory MPs including Maria Miller, Amber Rudd and Justine Greening told May there was growing support in the party for either a referendum on the issue or an extension of the 1967 act to Northern Ireland.

May’s government did not challenge the ban, which is supported by her confidence and supply partners in the Democratic Unionist party (DUP). However, MPs voted last year to force the Northern Ireland secretary, Karen Bradley, to explain how officials could continue to enforce the ban.