UK government deleted abortion rights from gender statement ‘to be inclusive of all perspectives’

Liz Truss hosted conference on religious belief but it was overshadowed by diplomatic row about abortion rights

(Simon Dawson/No10 Downing Street)

The UK government has said it deleted references to abortion rights from an official statement on gender equality to be "inclusive of all perspectives and views".

Liz Truss convened an international conference on freedom of religion and belief in London last month in her capacity as foreign secretary – but the meeting was overshadowed by a diplomatic row over reproductive rights.

Countries such as Denmark and Norway lodged formal protests after the UK used its position as chair to drop the references to “sexual and reproductive health and rights” and “bodily autonomy” from the summit's conclusions.