Buffer zones around abortion clinics are to be introduced in England and Wales after an amendment to the Public Order Bill was passed in the Lords. In its prior form, the draft legislation breached human rights law; the amendment rectifies that issue.
The amendment makes it an offence to engage in any act which has the effect of ‘influencing any person’s decision to access, provide or facilitate the provision of abortion services’. Offenders face an unlimited fine.
After the amendment was passed on 30 January, Alithea Williams from the SPUC said: ‘This is a black day for democracy and basic civil liberties. Ordinary, peaceful citizens will now be branded criminals and subject to crippling financial penalties for the simple act of praying in public, and offering help to women in need. Parliament has literally just criminalised compassion – and without even voting on it.’
Arrested for praying
It came weeks after Isabel Vaughan-Spruce was arrested after she admitting she ‘may be praying’ silently – outside a closed abortion clinic in Birmingham. West Midlands Police subsequently charged her with four counts of failing to comply with a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).
The charges were dropped, but could be reinstated by the CPS. Meanwhile, Vaughan-Spruce, who heads up the anti-abortion group 40 Days for Life Birmingham, has made clear she wishes to secure a verdict in court.
