Woman arrested by English police for silent prayer near abortion facility

By Charlotte Evans

CNA Newsroom, Dec 21, 2022 / 07:20 am

A pro-life volunteer has been arrested and charged after silently praying outside an abortion facility in Birmingham, U.K. 

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, the director of March for Life UK, was arrested on Dec. 6 and charged on Dec. 15 with four counts of breaking a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).

A PSPO is intended to stop antisocial behavior. Police were responding to a complaint from a member of the public who believed that Vaughan-Spruce was praying silently. 

As part of her bail conditions, restrictions have been placed on her participation in public prayer. Another requirement of her bail later dropped, banned her from contacting a local priest involved in pro-life work.