David Cameron condemns Meriam Ibrahim sentence in Sudan

David Cameron has called for the "barbaric" death sentence given to a Sudanese woman for marrying a Christian man to be lifted.

The PM said he was "absolutely appalled" by the treatment of Meriam Yehya Ibrahim Ishag in Sudan.

Ms Ibrahim, whose father was Muslim, faces the death penalty for abandoning her religious faith. She gave birth to a daughter in her cell this week.

UK leaders Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband have also condemned the sentence.

Mr Cameron said the treatment of Ms Ibrahim had "no place in today's world" and said the UK would "continue to press the government of Sudan to act".

"Religious freedom is an absolute, fundamental human right.

"I urge the government of Sudan to overturn the sentence and immediately provide appropriate support and medical care for her and her children," he said.

Ms Ibrahim, 27, was raised as a Christian by her mother and has refused to renounce the faith. However, a court in Sudan ruled earlier this month that she was Muslim because it was her father's faith.

She was sentenced to death this month by a judge in Sudan for apostasy.

Her Christian marriage was also annulled and she was sentenced to 100 lashes for adultery and death by hanging for renouncing Islam.

Deputy prime minister Mr Clegg called the sentence "abhorrent" and said it was a "flagrant breach of international human rights".

"This case is a grave violation of the basic right and freedom to practise one's religion," he said.

Labour leader Mr Miliband said the incarceration of Ms Ibrahim was "utterly appalling and an abhorrent abuse of her human rights".

"Nobody should be persecuted because of the religion they practice or the person they fall in love with.

"I cannot imagine the suffering - both physical and emotional - that Meriam, her husband and their two young children must be going through," he said.

Sudan has a majority Muslim population. Islamic law has been in force there since the 1980s.