UK MPs have supported proposals to make anti-abortion protests and vigils around clinics a criminal offence in England and Wales.
An amendment to the Public Order Bill to introduce buffer zones around abortion clinics has been backed by a cross-party group of MPs.
The legislation was proposed by the left-wing Labour MP Stella Creasy.
A “buffer zone” means an area which is within a boundary of 150 metres from any part of an abortion clinic or any access point to any building or site that contains an abortion clinic.
If passed, anyone within the buffer zone seeking to influence a woman’s decision to attend abortion services could face criminal charges and up to six months in jail for a first offence, or two years for further offences….