Creasy accuses anti-abortion activists of ‘persistent’ personal harassment

Exclusive: ‘Some of the commentary is all about me being held to account by a god, and having my day in hell,’ MP says

Maya Oppenheim
Feb 11, 2024

US-funded anti-abortion activists have begun a crusade of harassment against high-profile Labour campaigner Stella Creasy, targeting her in a “persistent and sustained” pattern, accusing her of “killing babies”.

Speaking to The Independent in an exclusive interview, Stella Creasy said she is facing “a bonfire of abuse” from anti-abortion ideologues on social media in punishment for campaigning on abortion rights.

The Labour MP for Walthamstow said protesters have harassed nearby residents and leafletted her constituency with graphic imagery.

Continued: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/stella-creasy-anti-abortion-activists-b2493669.html


UK – Ministers accused of watering down rules around abortion clinic buffer zones

Campaigners could still be allowed to conduct silent prayers and approach women attending clinics in England and Wales

Rowena Mason Whitehall editor
Wed 17 Jan 2024

Ministers have been accused of watering down guidance around new buffer zones outside abortion clinics in England and Wales, after it emerged campaigners could still be allowed to conduct silent prayers and approach women attending clinics to discuss the issue.

New draft guidance published by the Home Office has caused alarm among people who campaigned for the 150-metre safe zones, due to be introduced in the spring.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/17/ministers-accused-of-watering-down-rules-around-buffer-zones-outside-abortion-clinics


UK anti-abortion charity with links to MPs ran misleading Facebook ads

Right to Life UK boosted its spend on the social media platform tenfold in three years

Sian Norris and Manasa Narayanan
Sat 16 Dec 2023

A leading UK anti-abortion charity with ties to MPs and peers has increased its Facebook advertising spend more than tenfold in three years, spending nearly £190,000 on advertising campaigns.

In a joint investigation, the Observer and the Citizens analysed the spend and content of hundreds of Facebook ads paid for by Right to Life UK between June 2020 and November 2023. The findings reveal the charity – which provides the secretariat for the Pro-Life All Party Parliamentary Group – spent an average of £117,000 in 2023, an increase from an average £11,400 in 2020, £16,900 in 2021 and £43,600 in 2022.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/16/anti-abortion-charity-misleading-facebook-ads-mps-right-to-life-uk


‘This Victorian-era law isn’t fit for purpose’: Is abortion finally going to be decriminalised?

People who get an abortion beyond legal time limits can face criminal prosecution in England and Wales. Labour MPs are out to change that

CHARLOTTE ELTON
2 Dec 2023

Abortion could soon be decriminalised in England and Wales, as MPs consider overhauling a “cruel” 162-year-old law.

People who get an abortion beyond legal time limits can face criminal prosecution in England and Wales.

Five women have faced this charge in English courts over the past year – up from four in total over the previous 55 years.

Continued: https://www.bigissue.com/life/health/abortion-law-decriminalised-england-wales/


MPs Could Vote On Decriminalising Abortion In England And Wales

Zoe Crowther
27 November 2023

MPs will get the chance to vote on decriminalising abortion in England and Wales, with a Labour MP expected to table an amendment this week.

Backbench Labour MP Stella Creasy will put forward an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill on Tuesday that will give MPs an opportunity to vote on decriminalising abortion, PoliticsHome understands.

Continued: https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/mps-vote-decriminalising-abortion-england-wales-stella-creasy


UK – Parliament must vote to decriminalise abortion

Stella Creasy MP
27 November, 2023

When Roe v Wade was repealed in America last year, many voices in the UK were quick to dismiss concerns that restrictions on a woman’s basic right to choose could ever happen here, and assumed that our right to access abortion services was secure and reflected the settled will of the people.

At the same time, multiple women were awaiting trial, under a law older than the nation of Germany, for the offence of having an abortion. In contrast to Northern Ireland, abortion in England and Wales remains a criminal offence, with only a few closely defined circumstances in which people are exempt from prosecution.

Continued: https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/parliament-vote-decriminalise-abortion


This is what abortion rights look like around the world (and where the UK stands)

France is set to enshrine a woman’s right to an abortion in its constitution.

By Charley Ross

2 November 2023

In a promising step forward for women's empowerment, French president Emmanuel Macron has promised that a woman's right to abortion will be “enshrined” irreversibly into the country's constitution by next year.

“In 2024, women's freedom to have an abortion will be irreversible,” he posted on social media over the weekend, adding details of how this legislation will come into place.

Continued: https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/abortion-rights-guide-uk-world


UK – Fury at year-long Home Office delay over protest buffer zones at UK abortion clinics

Suella Braverman accused by MP Stella Creasy of denying will of parliament in passing safe access law

Sian Norris
Sat 21 Oct 2023

Pro-choice MPs and activists have expressed their frustration at the government’s failure to implement a law on buffer zones around abortion clinics one year after 297 MPs voted in favour of the zones and as women face a new wave of protests when accessing reproductive care.

A Home Office spokesperson told the Observer that timelines would be confirmed “in due course” but refused to explain why the law was not yet in force and failed to confirm if a consultation on safe-access zones legislation had been launched.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/21/fury-at-year-long-home-office-delay-over-protest-buffer-zones-at-uk-abortion-clinics


Where does the British public stand on abortion in 2023?

Abortion is widely supported in the UK

Matthew Smith, Head of Data Journalism
October 12, 2023

While recent events in the USA demonstrate that the abortion debate there is far from settled, a new YouGov UK poll shows a very different situation here.

On the basic question of whether or not abortion should be allowed, 87% of Britons say that it should, compared to only 6% who say it should not – 7% are unsure. Attitudes among men and women are identical in this regard.

Continued: https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/47568-where-does-the-british-public-stand-on-abortion-in-2023


UK – Home Office delay on abortion clinic buffer zones leaves council to act alone

Manchester extends own measures to prevent women from being harassed after legislation delays

Tobi Thomas
Fri 15 Sep 2023

Manchester city council has decided to extend its own measures for preventing women from being harassed when visiting abortion clinics due to delays in government legislation on buffer zones coming into effect.

The Public Order Act, which received royal assent in May, included an amendment which makes it a criminal offence across England and Wales to harass, obstruct or interfere with any woman attending an abortion clinic.

Protesters found guilty of breaching the buffer zones – which would extend 150 metres from the clinics – could be prosecuted and face a fine. Before the amendment passed earlier this year, local councils had taken their own measures to prevent the intimidation and harassment of women visiting abortion clinics.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/15/home-office-delays-abortion-clinic-buffer-zones-leave-council-act-alone