There are reports that the White House is interested in supporting more anti-abortion activists who are facing prosecution in the UK. This move follows the conviction of a campaigner for protesting outside an abortion clinic in Bournemouth.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the US State Department has made contact with a pro-life Christian charity to engage with activists who claim they have been subjected to ‘censorship’ due to their beliefs.
The recent case involves Livia Tossici-Bolt, a 64-year-old retired medical scientist, who was found guilty at Poole Magistrates Court for violating a ‘buffer zone’. This happened when she displayed a sign saying ‘Here to talk, if you want’ near the Bournemouth abortion clinic on two occasions in March 2023.
She was sentenced to a conditional discharge for two years for two charges of breaching a ‘buffer zone’ outside the abortion clinic and was ordered to pay £20,000 towards court costs and a £26 victim surcharge.
Sam Samson, a senior official in the State Department, reportedly met Tossici-Bolt and the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), an international religious campaign group which has supported her case, in the UK a fortnight ago to discuss an approach.
The Telegraph quoted a source ‘familiar with trade negotiations’ between the UK and US as saying that there should be ‘no free trade without free speech’.
The US State Department has been contacted by the Mail for comment.
But Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds insisted free speech had not been part of tariff negotiations with the US.
Livia Tossici-Bolt, 64, was found guilty at Poole Magistrates Court after holding up a sign which read ‘Here to talk, if you want’ near a Bournemouth abortion clinic on two days in March 2023
Before today’s verdict, the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, & Labour (DRL), which sits within the US State Department, said in a statement on X: ‘It is important that the UK respect and protect freedom of expression.’
Tossici-Bolt’s case and those of other anti-abortion campaigners also attracted the attention of US vice president JD Vance.
During a speech in February, US vice president Vance highlighted the case of Adam Smith-Connor, who was convicted last year of breaching the same council-enacted buffer zone, suggesting it showed ‘in Britain and across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat’.
But Number 10 insisted free speech was very much still alive and well in Britain, with a spokesman saying: ‘The UK has a very proud tradition of free speech over many centuries.’
Asked about Tossici-Bolt’s conviction, the spokesman said while ‘the right to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy’ people don’t have the right to ‘harass’ others.
Tossici-Bolt was convicted of twice violating the Public Spaces Protection Order outside the facility, which is run by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (Bpas).
District Judge Orla Austin said while she accepted Tossici-Bolt’s pro-life beliefs ‘were truly held’ the case ‘is not about the rights and wrongs about abortion but about whether the defendant was in breach of the PSPO (Public Spaces Protection Order)’.
The judge added of the defendant: ‘She lacks insight that her presence could have a detrimental effect on the women attending the clinic, their associates, staff and members of the public.
‘I am satisfied so that I am sure that the defendant did fail without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement of the PSPO, namely she failed to leave the safe zone on both the 2nd of March and 3rd March 2023 when asked by an authorised officer.’
The judge said that the costs fee of £20,000 was a “proportionate” contribution to the £64,709.59 requested by the prosecution which was presented by a KC and junior at the two-day magistrates’ court trial.
Police officers had told Tossici-Bolt to leave after a woman said she felt intimidated and harassed by her presence.
She refused, claiming she was given no legitimate reason for doing so. She also rejected a fixed penalty notice that was issued to her.
Speaking after her conviction, Tossici-Bolt said: ‘This is a dark day for Great Britain.
‘I was not protesting and did not harass or obstruct anyone.
‘All I did was offer consensual conversation in a public place, as is my basic right, and yet the court found me guilty.
‘Freedom of expression is in a state of crisis in the UK. What has happened to this country?
‘The US State Department was right to be concerned by this case as it has serious implications for the entire Western world.
‘I remain committed to fighting for free speech, not only for my own sake, but for all my fellow citizens.
‘If we allow this precedent of censorship to stand, nobody’s right to freely express themselves is secure.
‘With ADF International’s support, I will now consider all legal options.’
Tossici-Bolt has been sentenced to a conditional discharge for two years for twice breaching the ‘buffer zone’ outside the abortion clinic
Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF UK, said: ‘This is the first time in UK history that someone has been convicted for offering a conversation.
‘This is a fine of £20,000 for nothing more than offering a conversation.
‘The idea that Livia should be selling her house is grossly disproportionate.
‘The nature of the special relationship (with the USA) is that we have shared values of freedom of speech and liberty.
‘The slippery slope is very clear. In a free democratic society we must consider what is true.
‘I am sure there are people across the world who consider this a despicable decision.
‘The message is clear. If you hold pro-life views in a public place then there will be consequences.’
The buffer zone at Ophir Road outside the abortion clinic was put in place on October 13 2022, and is in force from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday.
Buffer zones ban protests within 150 metres of a clinic or hospital providing abortion services in England and Wales and those convicted of breaking the law could face an unlimited fine.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council welcomed Tossici-Bolt’s conviction, saying the buffer zone enforced in 2022 was there so patients and staff ‘could safely access’ the clinic ‘without fear of intimidation’.
A spokesman added: ‘We will continue to monitor any alleged breaches of this PSPO and will take appropriate action when necessary.’
The retired medical scientist said she had ‘been dragged through court merely for offering consensual conversation’
Bpas chief executive Heidi Stewart said: ‘Bpas welcomes today’s verdict which will protect women and the staff who provide abortion care.
‘The clinic in Bournemouth has been subjected to decades of anti-abortion protests which resulted in more than 500 reports of harassment before this local safe access zone was brought into force.
‘This case was never about global politics but about the simple ability of women to access legal healthcare free from harassment.’
