Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt were accused of pandering to religious fundamentalists in the Democratic Unionist party by claiming that abortion rights were a matter for the devolved assembly if power sharing is restored.

But Mordaunt, who is also the defence secretary and is backing Hunt in the contest, said the issue needed to be resolved in Westminster.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, she said: “I think paucity of care that women have endured in Northern Ireland is the most appalling thing and it must change.”