William Eichler 09 January 2018

Council considers using PSPO against anti-abortion protestors

A council is considering creating a ‘safe zone’ around a women's health clinic in order to prevent intimidation, harassment and distress from anti-abortion protestors.

Ealing Council will discuss introducing a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) around a Marie Stopes clinic in response to a petition from pro-choice group Sister Supporter which called on the council to protect service users when visiting the clinic.

In a vote last October the council overwhelmingly supported a motion to stop the pro-life protests from taking place outside the clinic.

The motion said it wanted to ‘protect the rights of individuals from harassment and intimidation when accessing legally existing health services at the Marie Stopes Clinic and of local residents not to be exposed to related disruption and distress on a daily basis’.

Of the 61 councillors present at the full council meeting, 58 voted in favour, two abstained and, in line with convention, the mayor did not vote.

A consultation process looking at whether or not the situation meets the necessary statutory requirements for a PSPO to be introduced will now go ahead.

Council leader Julian Bell and local ward councillor Binda Rai participated in a Home Affairs Select Committee hearing in December which looked at ways of tackling this problem at the national level.

‘We are committed to ending the intimidation and harassment faced by those seeking legally available medical support, but we are hamstrung by the powers we have available,’ said Cllr Bell.

‘We will do what we can locally but our powers are limited. We are pleased that the government has responded to the pressure from Ealing and other local authorities and is looking at a national solution.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Leicestershire County Council
Up to £234,171
This is a rare opportunity to lead a council with both strength and ambition at a time of change. Leicestershire
Recuriter: Leicestershire County Council

Director of Adults and Integrated Commissioning

Kent County Council
up to £129,530 per annum
A career-defining role at the heart of adult social care transformation. Kent
Recuriter: Kent County Council

Part Time Finance Administrator

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Finance AdministratorPermanent, Part Time£25,081 per annum, full time equivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Customer Services Adviser (Housing Repairs

Mansfield District Council
£28,598 - £33,699 per annum
Mansfield is a town of towns at the centre of things in Nottinghamshire - a place of many strong connections Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Mansfield District Council

No Wrong Door Deputy Manager

North Yorkshire Council
From £47,181 up to £51,356 per annum pro rata
We’re looking for a passionate, driven, and dynamic professional to join our management team within our innovative No Wrong Door (NWD) service. Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner