Tony Blair believes that medical advances allowing babies to be kept alive outside the womb at a younger age mean that a majority of MPs may be prepared to vote to reduce the 24-week cut-off.
Blair shared his concerns with Cardinal Keith O’Brien, the leader of Scotland’s Roman Catholics, during a private meeting last week.
Blair told O’Brien that there were “very troubling issues” around the legislation, which dates back to 1967, according to a source close to the meeting.
“He said he thinks the science of maintaining life has changed and that the viability of the foetus is different from what it was when the act was passed,” said the insider.
“He agreed there was a case for reopening the debate and he felt there may be a consensus in parliament now on a reduction.”
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Blair’s comments may herald the establishment of a parliamentary committee to investigate the issue.
Last week an early day motion calling for the move was tabled by Geraldine Smith, Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale.
The joint committee of both Houses would “consider the scientific, medical and social changes in relation to abortion that have taken place since 1967, with a view to presenting options for new legislation”. Its recommendations would go before MPs for a free vote.
The motion is gathering support across the political spectrum. Signatories include Peter Bottomley, the former Tory minister, and Ian Gibson, the Labour MP who chaired the science and technology committee which called for a debate last year.
Last year a study of premature babies at University College hospital, London, found that 42% of those born at 23 weeks survived, compared with just 10% when the abortion laws were last amended 16 years ago.
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Lord Steel, architect of the 1967 act, has said that he wants the upper limit reduced to 22 weeks, while David Cameron, the new Tory leader, backs a limit of between 20 to 22 weeks.
Last night O’Brien confirmed that Blair had told him he favoured reopening the debate on abortion.
Downing Street said it was not prepared to comment.