Roman Catholic MPs at Westminster gave Cardinal O’Brien’s warning on abortion a mixed reception yesterday.

Abortion is creeping up the political agenda and MPs will soon come under pressure to vote on the issue.

A 10-minute Rule Bill seeking compulsory counselling and a seven-day cooling off period for any woman seeking a termination will be presented when MPs return from their Whitsun recess.

The Government’s new Human Tissue and Embryos Bill is also likely to be used as a vehicle for a separate move to reduce the upper time limit on abortions from 24 weeks.

Ann Widdecombe, the Conservative MP for Maidstone and the Weald, who converted to Catholicism, said abortion was not just a matter of personal conscience for Catholics.

“The Cardinal is right that abortion is a fundamental issue of doctrine in the Catholic church rather than a rule, and Catholic MPs should be upholding the teachings of the Church when it comes to voting,” she said. But she drew a distinction between voting and campaigning. “It is up to the discretion of MPs what they campaign for,” Miss Widdecombe said. She said she would be supporting the 10-minute rule bill tabled by Ann Winterton, MP for Congleton.

Peter Kilfoyle, Labour MP for Liverpool Walton, said that MPs could not be dictated to.

“You can’t impose on the conscience of others,” he said, adding that abortion was a complex issue.

Jim Dobbin, Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton, said the Cardinal was helping to build up the campaign against abortion to mark the 40-year anniversary of its legalisation.

“The Cardinal is known for his honest straight talking and I think he is providing a strong lead about what is expected of Catholics in politics.”