Woman due in court after praying outside abortion clinic
A CATHOLIC woman who was silently praying outside an abortion clinic was arrested and held for allegedly breaching a Birmingham City Council buffer zone that prevents protests.
Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, 45, a director of anti-abortion group March for Life UK, has been charged with four counts of failing to comply with a Public Space Protection Order and is due to appear in February.
She was approached by several police officers outside the BPAS Robert Clinic in Kings Norton.
Footage showed her standing on Station Road without a sign following a complaint made to West Midlands Police on December 6.
The council order makes it illegal to engage in “acts of approval or disapproval, including prayer and protest”, in an area around the clinic.
“This includes but is not limited to graphic, verbal or written means, prayer or counselling. Interfering, or attempting to interfere, whether verbally or physically, with a Robert Clinic service user, visitor or member of staff.
“Intimidating or harassing, or attempting to intimidate or harass, a
Robert Clinic service user, visitor or a member of staff. Recording or photographing a Robert Clinic service user, visitor or member of staff. Displaying any text or images relating directly or indirectly to the termination of pregnancy.”
In footage captured on the street, an officer is heard asking Ms Vaughan-Spruce: “What are you here for today?” She tells him she’s “just standing here.”
The officer responds: “Why here of all places? I know you don’t live nearby.”
She replies: “But this is an abortion centre.”
The officer then says: “Ok, that’s why you’re stood here. Are you here as part of a protest? Are you praying?”
She denies carrying out a protest before adding: “I might be praying in my head, but not out loud.”
She is then searched by a female officer and arrested on suspicion of failing to comply with a public spaces protection order.