How he sparked uproar by saying abortion was wrong

JUST last week Jacob Rees-Mogg sparked controversy for saying that he did not support abortion under any circumstances.

Appearing on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, he said that, because of his Catholic faith, he was ‘completely opposed’ to terminations – even in cases of rape or incest – and called them ‘morally indefensible’.

The MP – a father of six – said: ‘Life is sacrosanct and begins at the point of conception and I think [abortion] is wrong.’

Mr Rees-Mogg was widely criticised, with The British Pregnancy Advisory Service, which provides abortions, calling his views ‘extreme’ and ‘wildly at odds’ with public opinion. And his Conservative colleague Margot James called his views ‘utterly abhorrent’.

But former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe, who is also a Catholic, said: ‘I agree with Jacob – a child is a child. Those are his views and if he’s asked about them he must answer honestly.’

Following the reaction to his comments, Mr Rees-Mogg said: ‘It’s a free country and everyone’s entitled to express an opinion. Why should I get flustered? Rape is a great evil and a terrible crime, but that’s not made better by then aborting the unborn child. To take a life after a rape is not the answer.’