Mayor calls on Transport for London to cancel abortion advert ban

The mayor of London is calling on Transport for London (TfL) to lift its ban on adverts that campaign for the decriminalisation of abortion.

Sir Sadiq Khan is “urgently” looking into the banned British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) adverts, which share stories of police investigations into women – some of who were prosecuted for having an abortion.

Heidi Stewart, chief executive of BPAS, said the adverts supported Tonia Antoniazzi MP’s amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill.

In a letter sent to BPAS, TfL said the campaign made “serious allegations about the police” and could bring TfL or the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) into disrepute”. TfL was contacted for comment.

One of MOPAC’s functions is to hold the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Commissioner to account, TfL said in its letter.

It said that MOPAC’s functions in respect of the force were “to some extent regulatory”, adding that “the nature of the copy could bring MOPAC into disrepute given its responsibilities in relation to the MPS”.

A spokesperson for Sir Sadiq said the mayor had “stepped in”.

“We are now urgently looking into this issue so we can allow adverts from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service on London’s transport network,” they said.

A spokesperson for BPAS said they had not been contacted by the mayor’s office directly and said the campaign had a “very narrow window.”

Ms Heidi Stewart said: “This is a pivotal moment for MPs to reform our abortion law and prevent more women from suffering the trauma and injustice of police investigations and the risk of criminalisation.

“Ahead of the vote in parliament, it is absolutely vital that the voices of the women who have been so deeply harmed by the current law are allowed to be heard.

“We urge the mayor to take swift action and allow our charity to share these stories as a matter of urgency.”