MP calls for 'buffer zones' around abortion clinics to keep away pro-life protesters

Joe Gamp
·Contributor, Yahoo News UK
Updated ·2 min read
Police stand at the entrance of the Marie Stopes clinic as anti abortion protestors hold up placards outside the first private clinic to offer abortions to women in Belfast, Northern Ireland on October 18, 2012. Dozens of pro-life campaigners protested outside the first abortion clinic in Northern Ireland as it opened to the public. Around 50 protesters brandishing placards saying "Life is precious" and showing photographs of foetuses gathered outside the privately run clinic in an anonymous building in Belfast. AFP PHOTO/ Peter Muhly -NOTE TO EDITORS THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN USING A TILT AND SHIFT LENS - (Photo credit should read PETER MUHLY/AFP via Getty Images)
Police stand at the entrance of the Marie Stopes clinic in Belfast as anti-abortion protesters demonstrate (AFP via Getty)

An MP has called for protests outside abortion clinics to be banned by setting up “buffer zones” after a rise in targeted demonstrations across the UK.

Labour’s Catherine West (Hornsey and Wood Green) said police attended an incident outside a clinic in her north London constituency on Saturday.

She told MPs: “We know that local authorities are hamstrung because the only available legal tool at the moment is the public space protection order which not really appropriate for this sort of issue.

“And we know that it’s quite a high threshold to meet a buffer zone under that particular legal tool.”

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 18: Catherine West MP speaks at the rally in Parliament Square during National Demonstration Against Racism, which has been called to defend EU migrants right to stay, support refugees and protest against racism, Islamophobia, fascism and antisemitism. The participants call to oppose the growing racist attitudes associated with Brexit and Donald Trump's presidency. National Demonstration - March Against Racism, has been organised by Stand Up To Racism as a part of a global day of action to mark United Nations Anti-Racism Day. March 18, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. PHOTOGRAPH BY Wiktor Szymanowicz / Barcroft Images London-T:+44 207 033 1031 E:hello@barcroftmedia.com - New York-T:+1 212 796 2458 E:hello@barcroftusa.com - New Delhi-T:+91 11 4053 2429 E:hello@barcroftindia.com www.barcroftimages.com (Photo credit should read Wiktor Szymanowicz / Barcroft Im / Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
Labour MP Catherine West says there should be 'buffer zones' around abortion clinics across the UK (Getty)

Some 34 clinics are said to have since experienced “anti-abortion activity” since 2018.

Last year, the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) called on the Government to review an earlier decision when it decided to ban buffer zones for fears that it “would not be a proportionate response”.

Although the review received evidence of harassment and damaging behaviour, such as the handing out of model foetuses, displaying graphic images and blocking patients’ paths, the reviewers said this was not “the norm”.

Read more:
Doctors given go-ahead to perform abortion on woman with severe learning disabilities
Five countries in Europe with the strictest abortion laws
Outrage as pregnant Irish girl who asked for abortion is sectioned

The letter to then newly-appointed home secretary Priti Patel signed by 30 organisations and individuals, said: “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.

“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.”

The news follows Ealing council’s decision to vote in favour of implementing a buffer zone around an abortion clinic in April 2018.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 21: Anti-abortion protesters hold a vigil outside the Marie Stopes Clinic in Ealing on April 21, 2018 in London, England. Ealing council have voted in favour of implementing a buffer zone around the Marie Stopes abortion Clinic to protect service users from distress and intimidation. The vote, in response to a public consultation, could pave the way for other councils around the country to take similar action. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images)
Ealing council voted in favour of implementing a buffer zone around the area's Marie Stopes abortion clinic, pictured, to protect service users (Getty)

The council placed the zone around the Marie Stopes abortion clinic in Mattlock Lane to protect service users from distress and intimidation.

A challenge was made against the ruling in the Court of Appeal, but three judges dismissed the claim and upheld the view that the buffer zone was “justified”.

Following the ruling, family planning organisations have urged the government to consider national legislation in creating buffer zones outside every abortion clinic in the country.