Protests outside abortion clinics should be banned by setting up "buffer zones", an MP has urged.
Labour's Catherine West (Hornsey and Wood Green) said police attended an incident outside a clinic in her north London constituency at the weekend.
She told MPs: "We know that local authorities are hamstrung because the only available legal tool at the moment is the public space protection order which not really appropriate for this sort of issue.
"And we know that it's quite a high threshold to meet a buffer zone under that particular legal tool."
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) last year called on the Government to review an earlier decision when it was decided buffer zones "would not be a proportionate response".
Although the review received evidence of harassment and damaging behaviour, such as the handing out of model foetuses, displaying graphic images and blocking patients' paths, the reviewers said this was not "the norm".
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel