YouTube/ The Telegraph
CV NEWS FEED // A former British justice secretary recently condemned the United Kingdom’s charges and arrests against people praying silently outside of abortion clinics.
The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International reported Feb. 28 that former justice secretary Michael Gove told Christopher Hope on Chopper’s Political Podcast, “It is wrong to say that someone cannot pray — silently — because you have a particular view on abortion.”
He added, “For me, free speech is as close to a fundamental principle as any. And so is freedom of worship.” He also stated that freedom of conscience and religion are fundamental freedoms.
The comments came after Vice President JD Vance repeatedly drew attention to the crisis of free speech in Britain, where law enforcement have arrested several individuals for praying near abortion clinics, arguing that silent prayer violates the country’s “buffer zone laws.”
Vance brought this to American’s attention both in his press conference with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and during his speech at the Munich Security Conference.
At the Munich Security Conference, Vance brought up the prosecution of UK army veteran Adam Smith-Connor. As CatholicVote previously reported, Smith-Connor was convicted on Oct. 16, 2024, and given a two-year conditional discharge for silently praying near an abortion clinic.
Smith-Connor appealed the decision and will go before the Bournemouth Crown Court July 28.
Last month, Livia Tossici-Bolt, a retired scientist in England, was charged for holding a sign near an abortion clinic that read, “Here to talk if you want.” Also in February, British pro-life activist Isabel Vaughan-Spruce was targeted again by police for silent prayer after they had already apologized and offered a payout for previously targeting her.
SCOTTISH LAWMAKER: PRAYER AT HOMES NEAR CLINICS CAN BE ILLEGAL DEPENDING ON WHO SEES YOU
