William Eichler 09 October 2019

Home Office urged to review abortion clinic buffer zone decision

Charities and medical bodies have today written to the Home Secretary to ask for an ‘urgent review’ of a decision taken last year not to install buffer zones around abortion clinics.

The Home Office launched a review of anti-abortion protests in November 2017. The following year the then-Home Secretary Sajid Javid concluded that the Government would not take any action on this issue.

The review concluded that, ‘Pro-life activity is reported as taking place outside a relatively small number of abortion facilities [36 out of 406]. The size and frequency of events varies from facility to facility, although daily activities with more than 10 activists are rare.’

A coalition of charities and medical bodies has, however, written to Home Secretary Priti Patel calling on her to review the Home Office’s decision.

The letter, published by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, said the consultation was based on an ‘incomplete and inequitable presentation of evidence’.

It argues the experiences of women are ‘consistently underplayed and misrepresented’. The consultation, according to the letter, focuses more on the question of ‘embarrassment’ and downplays issues such as ‘intimidation’, ‘harassment’, and ‘distress’.

The letter, which is signed by more than 30 organisations and individuals, also argues that there is ‘a lack of critical evaluation’ of the claims of protestors who are opposed to abortion.

‘Based on these shortcomings in the evidence provided to the minister, we would like to invite you as the new home secretary to ask for a full review of the evidence provided and to look again at the possibility of introducing national buffer zones to put a stop to protests at the clinic gate,’ the letter reads.

‘It is a measure that is supported by many MPs of all parties, more than 150 of whom have signed letters to your predecessors indicating their desire for action.

‘Ultimately, this is not a question about abortion, but about the ability of women to access legal and essential medical care without fear of harassment or intimidation.’

A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘This is a sensitive and complex issue, which is why we conducted an in-depth review of protests outside abortion clinics.

‘The right to protest is a vital part of a democratic society, but it is completely unacceptable that anyone should feel harassed or intimidated.

‘We expect the police to take a firm stance against protesters who significantly disrupt the lives of others and use the full force of the law. There are already powers in place for police to restrict harmful protest activity.’

A number of councils to date, including Ealing and Richmond, have implemented Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) around abortion clinics to limit the activities of protesters.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Public Health

Royal Borough of Greenwich
Up to £131,210
The Public Health department is at the heart of the council’s business. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Head of Regeneration and Growth

Plymouth City Council
£68,387 - £74,411 (MFS and relocation available, pay award pending)
This is a unique opportunity to lead our award-winning development team and directly deliver hundreds of millions of pounds of projects. Plymouth, Devon
Recuriter: Plymouth City Council

Director of Adult Social Care

Wiltshire Council
£119,390 - £127,137
Join us as the Director of Adult Social Care and make a real difference to people’s lives. Wiltshire
Recuriter: Wiltshire Council

Assistant Director Planning, Performance & Engagement

East Sussex County Council
up to £97,700
With strong local communities, unspoilt countryside and vibrant coastal towns, East Sussex offers an exceptional quality of life to many. East Sussex
Recuriter: East Sussex County Council

Director of Finance & Commerce

Lancashire County Council
Up to £114,339
You will play a critical role in driving the organisation through complex change and innovation. Lancashire
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council
Linkedin Banner