Abortion clinic buffer zones are a step towards the end of free speech

There is nothing like abortion to make feelings run high. Termination of pregnancy has been lawful in Northern Ireland since 2020: this year, however, the Legislative Assembly in Belfast turned the screw and passed a further, remarkably authoritarian, Bill. This makes it illegal – anywhere within 100 metres of an abortion clinic – not only to impede access to it, but to do any act ’with the intent of, or reckless as to whether it has the effect of, influencing’ any visitor. In effect, this is the creation of large public zones where, on pain of a £500 fine, no-one is allowed to talk about abortion, hand out leaflets, or even silently pray.

Not surprisingly, the Northern Ireland attorney-general thought the Bill a worrying restriction on freedom of speech and assembly under the European Convention on Human Rights and referred it to the Supreme Court. Equally unsurprisingly, the Supreme Court this morning enthusiastically and unanimously upheld