Bid for national "buffer zones" law

Pro-life people could be banned from advocating outside places where abortions take place under plans to be considered at Westminster.

An amendment to the Public Order Bill would make it a criminal offence to interfere with any woman or member of staff entering clinics or hospitals.

Any person found guilty of breaching the new 'buffer zones' - which would extend 150 metres around various settings - would face up to six months in jail.

The move is backed by a MPs Caroline Nokes, a former Home Office minister, Andrew Mitchell, a former Cabinet Minister, and Sir Bernard Jenkin, chair of the Commons liaison committee.

The Telegraph reports that sources close to Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, have yet to indicate whether or not the Home Office supports the plan.

Supreme Court judges are currently considering whether proposals to ban pro-life activity outside abortion clinics in Northern Ireland violate human rights laws on free expression.

The outcome of this case will have ramifications across the UK, as pressure mounts to impose so-called 'buffer zones'. Similar plans have been brought forward in Scotland.

Commenting on the amendment at Westminster, pro-life campaigners Right to Life said:

"Buffer zones would effectively ban and criminalise volunteers from peacefully praying and offering support to women entering abortion clinics. However, hundreds of women have been helped by pro-life vigils, and current laws already protect women if they face harassment."

"The Government has considered the issue in depth, concluding in 2018 that “introducing national buffer zones would not be a proportionate response....The proposed amendment is also radically out of step with the opinions of the general public".