On 28 October, in answer to a written question from Sir John Hayes (Con, South Holland and The Deepings) asking the Minister for Women and Equalities “if she will amend the Equality Act 2010 to protect the right of people to silently pray in the United Kingdom”, Anneliese Dodds replied as follows:

“Anyone should be able to privately pray when at work or accessing services and the religion or belief protections in the Equality Act 2010 (the Act) already ensure this. The Act does not take precedence over other civil or criminal law. Accordingly, amendment of the Act in this regard would not be appropriate.”

On Thursday, the Home Office published draft guidance on activities within safe access zones around abortion clinics that includes the following:

“From today, a 150-metre boundary will be in place around all clinics and hospitals offering abortion services known as a ‘safe access zone’. Within these boundaries it is now a criminal offence to intentionally or recklessly:

• • influence any person’s decision to access or facilitate abortion services at an abortion clinic
  • obstruct any person from accessing or facilitating abortion services at an abortion clinic
  • cause harassment, alarm or distress to any person in connection with a decision to access, provide or facilitate abortion services at an abortion clinic.

Police and prosecutors will consider each case individually based on the evidence. However, this could include:

• • handing out anti-abortion leaflets
  • protesting against abortion rights
  • shouting at individuals attempting to access abortion services.

This could also cover prayer, including:

• • silent prayer
  • holding vigils
  • any behaviour where someone is intentionally trying to – or recklessly acting in a way that might – influence a person accessing the service.

Anyone found guilty of breaking the new laws will face an unlimited fine.”

The Crown Prosecution Service guidance is here, under the heading “Interference with access to or provision of abortion services”.

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