Trump reverses on abortion amid outcry

Presidential candidate Donald Trump briefly called for "some form of punishment" for women who have abortions, if it became illegal.

His initial comments made during a town hall event with cable network MSNBC sparked a wave of criticism, reports UNB.

However, Mr Trump quickly reversed his position, saying only the person who performed the abortion should be punished.

But he maintained: "My position has not changed."

The front-runner supports a ban on abortions, with certain exceptions.

Abortion has been legal in the United States since 1973 after a landmark Supreme Court ruling.

Only the high court or a constitutional amendment has the power to overturn Roe v Wade and make abortion illegal.

Once a Democrat, Mr Trump has been criticised for supporting abortion rights in the past.