THERESA May has risked political uproar by declaring that every woman should be able to have a “safe and legal” abortion.

The PM’s forthright declaration heaps pressure on Northern Irish politicians, where pregnancy terminations are still banned.

But it will also spark a rift with the anti-abortion Ulster unionist DUP, whose 10 MPs are propping up her minority government.

Revealing her strong personal support for abortion for the first time since Ireland’s landmark referendum to overturn its ban two weeks ago, Mrs May also heaped praise on female MPs who spoke out about their own experiences in the Commons this week.

Mrs May said on her arrival at the G7 summit in Canada: “Look, I believe that a woman should be able to access safe, legal abortion. There are a variety of views on this issue, that’s why it is dealt with as a matter of conscience when we have these debates in the House of Commons.

“There was some very moving testimony given by MPs across the House the other day in the debate that took place on this particular issue.”

The PM repeated that her “preferred option” was still for a new Stormont government to make the decision, as a devolved issue.

But she also gave a green light to MPs to try to enforce the decision on Northern Ireland with a Commons vote by making it clear she would not stand in their way.

Mrs May added: “In the House of Commons, any votes on abortion are always a conscience issue, and always will continue to be treated as a free vote”.