Pro-Life campaigner receives compensation from the police

A Christian pro-life volunteer who was twice arrested for praying silently outside abortion facilities has received a £13,000 pay-out from West Midlands Police in acknowledgement of her unjust treatment.

First arrested in November 2022 for silently praying in a censored 'buffer zone' in the Kings Norton area of Birmingham, Vaughan-Spruce was searched by police, arrested, criminally charged and tried.

In February 2023, she was fully acquitted of all charges at Birmingham Magistrates Court.

A few weeks later, she was arrested again for the same activity. Six police officers attended the scene and she was told: "you've said you're engaging in prayer which is the offence".

With the help of legal campaign group ADF UK, Vaughan-Spruce issued a claim against West Midlands Police for two wrongful arrests and false imprisonments, assault and battery in relation to intrusive search of her person and for a breach of her human rights in respect of both arrests.

The news comes as the Home Office prepares to review the initial guidance for policing 'buffer zones' published under the previous government.

That guidance says:

The UK Government has also said the nationwide buffer zone law, yet to be enacted, will be brought into force and may even be strengthened, raising further questions about its impact on human rights and free speech.