The British government has announced it will fund abortions in England for women arriving from Northern Ireland in a concession to see off a bid to amend the Queen's Speech.
Ministers were facing difficulties over an amendment tabled by Labour MP Stella Creasy, calling on the government to provide funding so women from Northern Ireland can have abortions in England without having to pay.
It had the formal backing of one Tory MP, Peter Bottomley, while others expressed concerns over the issue, as abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland except where the life or mental health of the mother is in danger.
The government's move, announced by Chancellor Philip Hammond in the Commons, will be expected to satisfy Tory MPs enough to ensure that Ms Creasy's amendment does not pass, or she withdraws it.
Reacting to the news, the Labour MP tweeted: "Sisters in Northern Ireland we will hear your voices - have asked for speedy meeting with govt to make this a reality!"
She added: "Thank you to MPs on all sides who supported call for change to help northern Irish women have equal access to abortion."
The Democratic Unionist Party did not respond to immediate requests for reaction, but the prospect of the amendment passing could have raised questions over its deal with the Tories to prop up the minority government.
In that situation, the anti-abortion DUP would have been asked to vote for an amended Queen's Speech which would explicitly state that women from Northern Ireland could get free abortions in England.
Earlier today, Northern Ireland's Appeal Court ruled that abortion reform should be left to the Stormont Assembly.
Overturning a lower court's ruling, it said the complex moral and religious questions behind the issue should be determined by a legislature rather than a court.
Mr Bottomley said the government has met the point of Ms Creasy's amendment.
He said: "[The] Government has rightly announced that there is a practical solution to the dilemma of poorer Northern Irish women funding a lawful termination in England.
"The practical solution of the Equalities Office and health commissioning and funding abortion services will bring justice, as indicated by the judges in the Supreme Court judgment.
"Many Conservatives, including senior women, have worked with Stella Creasy MP for Walthamstow and her supporters with the specialist charities to achieve this fast progress."
Charities welcome 'landmark moment'
Reacting to the news a spokeswoman from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service said: "We are absolutely delighted that the government has committed to funding abortion care for women who travel from Northern Ireland to England.
"This is a landmark moment: for years the women of Northern Ireland, despite being UK citizens and taxpayers, have not been entitled to NHS-funded treatment.
"Clearly this is not the solution to the gross injustice whereby women in Northern Ireland are denied access to abortion care at home, and we look forward to seeing progress on that front. Nevertheless this is an important moment, and we commend all those who have worked so hard to make this happen."
A spokesman for abortion provider Marie Stopes UK said: "Any action on the situation facing women seeking abortion in Northern Ireland is both welcome and long overdue. As UK taxpayers, women in Northern Ireland should be fully entitled to access NHS treatment free at the point of care, including abortion services.
"This is a hugely positive step forward, but there is no reason why these services shouldn't be provided in Northern Ireland, saving thousands of women each year the cost and stress of travelling to the mainland.
"Until that becomes reality, we look forward to working closely with government to ensure women travelling from Northern Ireland receive the equitable NHS treatment they deserve."
