PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press release – Labour Government to introduce buffer zones from 31 October, criminalising offering vital support option to women
18 September 2024 – The Government will announce today that it will be introducing buffer zones outside abortion clinics nationwide from 31 October 2024, criminalising offering a vital support option to women.
Hundreds of women have been helped outside abortion clinics by pro-life volunteers who have provided them with practical support, which made it clear to them that they had another option other than going through with the abortion.
From 31 October 2024, this vital practical support provided by volunteers outside abortion clinics will be removed for women. A Home Office press release states “Anyone found guilty of breaking the law will face an unlimited fine”.
Section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023 makes “influencing” any person who wants to access an abortion clinic illegal. This vague term has left campaigners concerned that this Bill could make silent prayer illegal as well as consensual communication.
Background
The debate in the build up to the implementation of the abortion buffer zones has sent conflicting messaging about what the Act criminalises.
- In September last year, after the law had been passed but before it had been implemented, the former Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, reminded police in the UK that “silent prayer, within itself, is not unlawful”, raising questions about how exactly the legislation set to come into force next month will actually be implemented.
- “[H]olding lawful opinions”, the letter reminds officers, “even if those opinions may offend others, is not a criminal offence”.
- In the letter, the Home Secretary quotes His Majesty’s Chief Inspector approvingly “The police […] aren’t there to champion social change or take sides. This includes a requirement to preserve all rights, including the right to free speech”.
- In March last year, before the law had received Royal Assent, MPs voted against an amendment to lessen the negative impacts of the buffer zone clause that was added to the then Public Order Bill.
- Amendment A would have ensured that silent prayer and consensual communication were still permitted outside abortion clinics. This amendment was rejected, with MPs voting by 298 to 117 against it. Another amendment (B), which would have required a review to take place before buffer zones came into force, was not taken to a vote.
- Local buffer zones are already being subjected to legal challenge with one woman, Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, arrested twice for silently praying outside an abortion clinic, receiving a £13,000 payout in acknowledgement of her unjust treatment.
- A military veteran, Adam Smith-Connor who prayed silently about his own encounter with abortion near a facility in Bournemouth is currently facing trial at Poole Magistrates’ Court.
- A pensioner from Dorset, Livia Tossici-Bolt, is also being prosecuted for holding up a sign within an abortion clinic buffer zone reading “Here to talk if you want”.
Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said:
“Hundreds of women have been helped outside abortion clinics by pro-life volunteers who have provided them with practical support, which made it clear to them that they had another option other than going through with the abortion”.
“The implementation of buffer zones next month will mean that vital practical support provided by volunteers outside abortion clinics, which helps to provide a genuine choice, and offers help to women who may be undergoing coercion, will be removed for women and many more lives will likely be lost to abortion”.
ENDS
- For additional quotes and media interviews contact 07774 483 658 or email press@righttolife.org.uk
- For further information on Right To Life UK visit www.righttolife.org.uk
