Christian campaigners lose abortion clinic challenge

CHRISTIAN campaigners have lost their High Court challenge to a council order which put in place a so-called buffer zone outside an abortion clinic.

A Public Spaces Protection Order was made a year ago to restrict activities around the Robert Clinic in Bournemouth, Dorset, which is run by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS).

Campaign organisation Christian Concern and Livia TossiciBolt, who leads an anti-abortion group called 40 Days for Life Bournemouth, questioned the validity of the order.

Campaigners argued that the “buffer zone” around the clinic “criminalises prayer and reading from the Bible”.

During the case, which was heard earlier this year, lawyers representing the council told judges that the order placed restrictions on the “activities of various groups and individuals present outside” the clinic.

In their written ruling yesterday, Lord Justice Warby and Mrs Justice Thornton said the council had “lawfully followed the democratic and consultative procedures” when it made the order.

The judges said any interference with human rights of the campaigners was justified by the “legitimate aim” of protecting the rights of women using the clinic.

They said: “To the extent that the order interferes with the human rights of the first claimant and those of non-parties on which she has relied in support of her claim, the interference is justified by the legitimate aim of protecting the rights of women attending the clinic, their associates and the staff. Both claims are dismissed.”

Christian Concern said it intends to appeal against the ruling.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: “The measures brought in by Bournemouth Council are disturbing in that they prevent women from being given access to alternatives to abortion.”

She added: “Peaceful witness near abortion centres are helpful to many women in crisis pregnancies, offering genuine choice by providing support.”

A Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council spokesperson said: “We welcome the High Court judgment which upholds the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order at Ophir Road in Bournemouth.”