Amber Rudd urges public to have say on banning anti-abortion protesters from outside clinics

The public will be able to say whether they want new laws banning protests outside abortion clinics, as part of a consultation launched today by the Government.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said she was ready to bring in new powers but first wanted to seek the views of “all interested parties” as to whether “buffer zones” or other measures were needed.

She added: “An abortion is an incredibly personal decision for anyone to take, and so it is completely unacceptable for women to face harassment or intimidation for exercising their legal right to healthcare advice and treatment.”

She has already launched a review and the new consultation will run until February 19.

Ealing councillors last night voted to consult on introducing an exclusion zone around a Marie Stopes clinic in the borough.

It follows a petition last year by local pro-choice campaign group Sister Supporter asking the council to take action which gained nearly 3,600 signatures.

Ealing will now consult on whether to introduce a public space protection order (PSPO), which would ban people from approaching or monitoring women accessing the clinic, congregating in large groups, displaying distressing images or using loudspeakers.

Campaigners from pro-life group The Good Counsel Network have held vigils outside the clinic on for more than 20 years, while other protesters include members of The Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, Ealing Pro-Life Group, and The Society of Pius X.

Last night as the council’s cabinet unanimously voted through its action plan, councillor Binda Rai condemned protester’s methods, which include handing out leaflets picturing foetuses to women entering the clinic, as “emotional hijacking at the point of access”