Three leading judges dismissed an appeal against an earlier ruling that restrictions imposed by Ealing Council in west London on protests, including prayer, outside a Marie Stopes clinic (below) were “justified”.
The authority was the first to create a buffer zone in April 2018 following demonstrations.
It imposed the public spaces protection order (PSPO) following reports of “intimidation, harassment and distress” for women using the facility in Mattock Lane, Ealing.
Following the ruling, family planning organisations urged the Government to consider national legislation to create buffer zones outside every abortion clinic in the country.
Marie Stopes UK’s managing director Richard Bentley said: “From the day it was introduced this PSPO has protected the wellbeing of everyone coming to our west London centre.
“But ultimately, a PSPO is not an adequate response to what is a national problem, leaving most clinics across the country defenceless.
“It is time for the UK Government to end the postcode lottery of harassment and legislate for safe access zones outside all registered abortion care providers in the UK.”
Clare Murphy, director of external affairs at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service said: “We welcome the Court of Appeal’s decision.
“However, the harassment and intimidation of women and abortion clinic staff…
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