A Christian doctor is appealing to reverse a ban preventing him from providing the abortion pill reversal treatment.

Former president of the Catholic Medical Association, Dr Dermot Kearney, was barred last year from providing emergency abortion pill rescue therapy (APR) for up to 18 months. 

He was investigated by the General Medical Council over the treatment. 

APR is the administration of progesterone to a pregnant woman who has taken the first abortion pill, mifepristone, but changed her mind about proceeding with the abortion. 

Critics say the treatment is unproven and potentially dangerous but pro-lifers say it can save the life of unborn babies

The Christian Legal Centre (CLC) is supporting Dr Kearney, who will see his case heard at the Royal Courts of Justice on February 24.  

His lawyers will argue that the ban is disproportionate and should be revoked.

The CLC said there had been a 'spike' in demand for APR after the government changed abortion rules to allow "pills by post" - temporary legislation meaning women can take their abortion pills at home.  

CLC chief executive Andrea Williams said Dr Kearney should be free to help women save their pregnancy.

She said: "We have seen many women immediately regret taking the first abortion pill."

"Abortion providers are putting women on a conveyer belt which means once they start the abortion process, they have to go through with it and are pressured to do so or left with no alternatives.

"Women should be properly informed, as a matter of course, that the baby's death is not inevitable after the first pill is taken."