Anti-abortion extremist Herschel Walker is a raging hypocrite. Surprised? | Arwa Mahdawi

Walker would hardly be the first Republican to think abortion is OK for me, evil for thee'

Herschel Walker is a former NFL football player turned Republican candidate who is running for a crucial Senate seat in Georgia and has extremely hardline views on abortion. He supports a ban on the procedure with no exceptions for rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is in danger - circumstances he describes as excuses". He has also repeatedly likened abortion to murder.

All of that is somewhat awkward because it turns out that, by Herschel's own definition, he may be an accessory to murder and should probably hand himself into the police immediately, if recent allegations are to be believed. On Monday the Daily Beast reported that Walker allegedly paid for an ex-girlfriend's abortion in 2009. The woman, who has asked to remain anonymous, provided the outlet with evidence supporting her claims, including a $575 receipt from the abortion clinic, an image of a signed personal check for $700 from Walker, and a get well" card allegedly signed by Walker. The card had a drawing of a steaming cup of tea" on the front and instructed the recipient to Rest, Relax, Recover."

Arwa Mahdawi is a Guardian columnist