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MP seeks to ban demonstrations outside abortion clinics MP seeks to ban demonstrations outside abortion clinics
(about 5 hours later)
A bill seeking to ban demonstrations outside abortion clinics will be introduced by Labour MP Rupa Huq later. A bill seeking to ban demonstrations outside abortion clinics has been proposed by Labour MP Rupa Huq.
Last year, pro-life protesters lost a legal challenge against the UK's first buffer zone implemented around a clinic in Dr Huq's constituency.Last year, pro-life protesters lost a legal challenge against the UK's first buffer zone implemented around a clinic in Dr Huq's constituency.
Ealing Council said a 100-metre exclusion zone at the Marie Stopes centre had been put in place after women complained of being intimidated.Ealing Council said a 100-metre exclusion zone at the Marie Stopes centre had been put in place after women complained of being intimidated.
The protesters said they were providing help to those visiting the clinic.The protesters said they were providing help to those visiting the clinic.
Dr Huq says: "This bill would have them moved away from clinic gates of all abortion facilities so they can stop the emotional blackmail of calling women approaching 'mum', lining the pavement with gruesome foetus dolls and images and filming women to shame them." The British Pregnancy Advisory Service says following the easing of coronavirus lockdown measures, five clinics across the country have been targeted by protests.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Dr Huq said lockdown "had provided some respite" from protesters but "now they are at it again."
She told MPs that staff at her local clinic reported "being hounded themselves" while women missed appointments or turned up in tears.
She said women did not need "to be met by lifelike medically inaccurate foetus dolls and graphic images, to be handed misleading literature, be called "Mum" and told they'd go to hell".
Although Ealing Council has managed to legally remove anti-abortion protesters Dr Huq says this is "only temporary" and will need reviewing next spring.Although Ealing Council has managed to legally remove anti-abortion protesters Dr Huq says this is "only temporary" and will need reviewing next spring.
She also says the process is "too hard, expensive, and the evidence burden is too high to expect councils to pick this up themselves". She added that the process for implementing and defending the ban in court can cost six figure sums.
"This is a national problem... that requires a national solution," she says. "Councils do have enough on their plate without having to find time and resources to implement such bans," she said.
The bill was opposed by Conservative Fiona Bruce who said a government review had found that introducing national buffer zones "would not be a proportionate response".
She also argued that there are already existing six laws to deal with such demonstrations. "We do not need more," she said.
MPs voted to approve the bill at the first stage by 213 votes to 47, however without government support it is unlikely to become law.
Alina Dulgheriu who brought the legal challenge against Ealing Council, has said the ban "criminalises speech, assembly, charitable support and prayer".Alina Dulgheriu who brought the legal challenge against Ealing Council, has said the ban "criminalises speech, assembly, charitable support and prayer".
"My little girl is here today because of the real practical and emotional support that I was given by a group outside a Marie Stopes centre, and I am going to appeal this decision to ensure that women do not have this vital support option removed," she has said."My little girl is here today because of the real practical and emotional support that I was given by a group outside a Marie Stopes centre, and I am going to appeal this decision to ensure that women do not have this vital support option removed," she has said.
"I cannot imagine a society where a simple offer of help to a woman who might want to keep her child is seen as a criminal offence.""I cannot imagine a society where a simple offer of help to a woman who might want to keep her child is seen as a criminal offence."
Dr Huq will introduce her bill to the House of Commons at around 12:30 BST; however, without government support the legislation is very unlikely to become law.