An MP who has been appointed Minister for Women has come under fire for her views on abortion.

Maria Caulfield, MP for Lewes, supported cutting the abortion time limit and voted against buffer zones outside clinics to prevent people from harassing those attending the clinics.

“Whilst I respect Maria Caulfield’s right to hold personal or religious views, she needs to make it clear that she will leave these at the door when it comes to representing the views of the vast majority of women in this country who want safe, legal access to abortion,” said Emily O’Brien, the Green Party’s parliamentary spokesperson for Lewes.

Ms Caulfield also voted against legalising abortion in Northern Ireland and was previously an officer for the all-party parliamentary “pro-life” group.

National charities and women’s rights groups have also condemned the appointment.

“We are horrified that a clear opponent of abortion rights has been appointed Minister for Women,” said Harriet Wistrich, the director of the Centre for Women’s Justice.

“The vast majority of women want the right to choose.

"Her appointment signals a potential restriction on women’s reproductive rights, which in turn is an attack on women’s autonomy and freedom. We hope Maria Caulfield will keep her personal opinions on the issue of abortion to herself.”

Appearing on BBC Politics Live, Ms Caulfield said: “We should not be labelling someone as anti-women because they voted a certain way on a certain vote.

“You should be allowed to have a different view and be respected.”

She opposed buffer zones outside clinics and said that the six-month jail sentence was not “a proportionate response”.

Speaking for Lewes Greens, Ms O’Brien said Ms Caulfield’s voting record on restriction access to abortion “cannot continue if she wants to remain in this role".

Ms O’Brien added: “She needs to issue a statement immediately confirming that she will not let her own views interfere with standing up for women.”