The Maltese government and the island's Catholic bishops reacted angrily yesterday to plans by a Dutch doctor to set up an abortion ship in international waters.

Rebecca Gomperts of Amsterdam announced that she planned to offer abortions on a ship moored in international waters close to countries where abortion is illegal, including Malta.

Lawrence Gonzi, the Maltese social policy minister, called the plan "horrendous". He said criminal proceedings would be undertaken against anyone organising or helping to arrange the service.

Malta's bishops issued a statement calling on the government and all those responsible to ensure that no one had anything to do with these "heinous murders".

The Maltese people are said to be strongly against abortion and all the island's political parties oppose it. It is claimed that some Maltese go abroad to have abortions.