The Home Office has said that it is considering banning anti-abortion campaigners from silently praying outside clinics.
A law was passed last year which introduced buffer zones - which would extend 150m from the clinics - to protect women from protesters, but it has yet to come into effect.
However, draft guidance published in December 2023 appears to have softened its stance on anti-abortion campaigners' actions within the zones.
The guidance stated that silent prayer, as well as “consensual communication” such as handing out leaflets, should be allowed inside the new “safe access zones”.
Silent prayer in 'safe zones' outside abortion clinics 'could be banned' GettyMinisters are now understood to be reviewing this updated guidance, though it is not certain which aspects of the guidance will be revised, The Telegraph has reported.
It currently states that “prayer within a safe access zone should not automatically be seen as unlawful”.
It adds: “Silent prayer, being the engagement of the mind and thought in prayer towards God, is protected as an absolute right under the Human Rights Act 1998 and should not, on its own, be considered to be an offence under any circumstances.”
Earlier this month, Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister, confirmed that the Government would “imminently” establish safe access zones around abortion facilities.
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Draft guidance published in 2023 states that 'prayer within a safe access zone should not automatically be seen as unlawful'
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The buffer zone law would protect staff and clients at clinics from harassment, pro-choice campaigners have said
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Dame Diana Johnson, the new policing minister, had previously raised her dissatisfaction with the current guidance on silent prayer with then home secretary James Cleverly in January.
She said: “We specifically voted against proposals to allow silent prayer and consensual communication in safe access zones.
“I notice that the Home Office has produced guidance which includes those measures being allowed.
“I just wondered why you would do that when Parliament had been very clear that that was not the will of Parliament,” she added.
Ministers are now understood to be reviewing this updated guidance
GettyLouise McCudden, of MSI Reproductive Choices, told the publication that if the draft guidance were kept the same and not revised, it would “create major loopholes” for anti-abortion campaigners.
She said: "We hope the new Government will make sure safe access zones are implemented in line with what elected MPs voted for.
“With a Home Secretary who voted for safe access zones, a Home Office team of fierce reproductive rights advocates like Diana Johnson and Jess Phillips, and a Government that says it wants to make tackling violence against women a priority, we are cautiously optimistic that they recognise the dangers of watering down this legislation.”
Pro-choice demonstrators have said the original law to introduce buffer zones would protect staff and clients at clinics from harassment, whilst anti-abortion groups said it would curb human rights.
The law was expected to be enacted in spring but the general election was called which paused the process.