The UK’s largest doctors union has called for the complete decriminalisation of abortion and for women to have access to terminations on demand.

The British Medical Association (BMA) formally agreed on Tuesday to lobby the Government to abandon the current legal framework, which requires an expectant mother to convince two doctors an abortion is necessary to protect her long-term health.

Abortions are an offence in nearly all other circumstances under the 50-year-old law, but the BMA now says the issue should become purely medical rather than criminal.

Last night senior medics said the body’s “important and powerful” vote, which was passed by more than two thirds following a two-hour debate, would strengthen the hand of politicians in favour of reform.