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Tory ministers have been accused of putting their DUP allies before domestic violence victims after abortion reform plans were "thwarted".

Campaigning MP Stella Creasy wanted to repeal Northern Ireland's Victorian-era anti-abortion law as part of the new Domestic Abuse Bill.

Unlike the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland has a ban on abortions in almost all cases - even rape or incest.

But the ultra-conservative DUP, whose 10 MPs prop Theresa May up in power in exchange for £1.5bn, are deeply against abortion in the region.

Now Labour MP Ms Creasy claims the scope of the Bill has been restricted, a technical move that stops her bringing her reforms forward.

The furious MP tweeted: "This government cares more about the DUP than domestic violence.

(Image: Jack Taylor)

"Proof [is that] they've restricted scope of Domestic Abuse Bill to try to prevent abortion reform in Northern Ireland.

"Won't just affect Northern Ireland but all VAWG (violence against women and girls).

"[I am] asking every MP to join me ensuring this scam won't work."

Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Phillips added: "The Domestic Abuse Bill cannot be used as a tool to appease the DUP.

"It would be so much stronger with UK wide immigration and welfare changes in it, and to keep them out for fear of amendments about Northern Ireland women is to undermine the safety of victims from across the UK."

(Image: Getty)

The current law has led thousands of Northern Ireland women to travel to Britain for terminations in what a QC has branded "physical and mental torture".

It also leaves Northern Ireland with stricter laws than in the Republic of Ireland after a referendum relaxed the law last year.

The Abortion Act of 1967 means terminating pregnancies is legal in England, Wales and Scotland.

But it is largely prohibited in Northern Ireland through section 58 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

A measure which would have given Westminster jurisdiction over abortion laws in the bill has been dropped, The Sunday Times reported.

A Cabinet Office source told the newspaper: "A bright civil servant foresaw the potential for the legislation to cause problems for the DUP."