US state governor vetoes abortion bills

A US state governor two abortion bills that he said are an unconstitutional attempt by the legislature to insert government into the private lives and decisions of citizens.

One measure in Oklahoma would have required women to undergo an intrusive ultrasound and listen to a detailed description of the foetus before getting abortions.

Governor Brad Henry said legislation is flawed because it does not allow rape and incest victims to be exempted.

Politicians who supported the vetoed measures promised an override vote in the House and Senate as early as next week.

A national pro-abortion group said the ultrasound bill would have been among the strictest anti-abortion measures in the United States if it had been signed into law.