Trump changes line on abortion, says 'laws are set'

US presidential hopeful Donald Trump has made yet another contradictory statement on abortion, saying he supported the current legal status quo on abortion rights.

The latest statement comes just two days after he reversed himself on whether women who undergo abortions should face "some kind of punishment".

The Republican frontrunner told CBS news in an interview: "The laws are set now on abortion and that's the way they're going to remain until they're changed." He went on to say: "I would've preferred states' rights."

"I think it would've been better if it were up to the states. But right now, the laws are set... At this moment, the laws are set. And I think we have to leave it that way." Abortion has been legal in the US since 1973.

In a statement to the Guardian, a campaign spokesperson insisted "Trump gave an accurate account of the law as it is today and made clear it must stay that way now - until he is president. Then he will change the law through his judicial appointments and allow the states to protect the unborn. There is nothing new or different here."

The flip comes after Trump stumbled on Wednesday when asked in a town hall about whether women who have abortions should be punished. The comments, which caused an uproar on all sides of the political spectrum, forced a speedy clarification from Trump.