The Co-director of March for Life UK, Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, faces new charges under England and Wales’ abortion buffer zone laws.
Appearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court, Miss Vaughan-Spruce denied five allegations of standing and praying silently outside an abortion clinic in Birmingham last year. A decision on whether the case will progress to trial is expected in the coming days.
In 2024, the pro-life campaigner received £13,000 and an apology from West Midlands Police after being wrongfully arrested for silent prayer inside an abortion ‘censorship zone’ in Birmingham.
‘Peaceful conduct punished’
Miss Vaughan-Spruce said: “Standing silently and holding certain beliefs in a public space should never be a crime.”
Jeremiah Igunnubole, Legal Counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom UK, which is supporting the pro-lifer, commented: “This censorial, over-broad law has shown itself to be deeply flawed, liable to misuse along ideological lines, and harmful to basic freedoms.”
deeply flawed, liable to misuse along ideological lines, and harmful to basic freedoms
He explained: “Far from criminalising harassment and abusive behaviour – which are already criminal offences – buffer zones are being used to punish those engaged in peaceful conduct for nothing other than what they think or believe.”
Hope and comfort denied
In July, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said that hospital chaplains and clergy risk being accused of committing a criminal offence if they carry a Bible or pray with patients or relatives within an abortion buffer zone.
Guidance on interpreting the Abortion Service (Safe Access Zones) Act issued by Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned that ordinary pastoral ministry, including bedside prayer, could be regarded as criminal if it is deemed to be capable of ‘influencing, or causing distress to, someone accessing abortion services’.
The guidelines have been met with concern amongst church leaders in Northern Ireland who devote significant time to pastoral care for the sick and vulnerable on hospital premises.
Pastor Jonathan Campbell of Newbuildings Independent Methodist Church, Londonderry, responded: “The Christian message is one of hope and comfort to those who are ill, worried and grieving. It cannot be the case that in Northern Ireland, church representatives are unable to comfort those in need.”
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