Defeat for free speech in buffer zone case

A woman at the heart of the free speech battle around abortion clinic buffer zones has been convicted.

Dr Livia Tossici-Bolt, a retired medical scientist and Christian, was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £20,000 for two breaches of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which creates a protection zone around abortion clinics.

The campaigner offered consensual conversation and held a sign outside a clinic in Bournemouth saying “Here to talk, if you want” over a period of two days in March 2023.

On Friday at Poole Magistrates’ Court, District Judge Orla Austin argued that Dr Tossici-Bolt lacked insight that “her presence could have a detrimental effect on the women attending the clinic, their associates, staff and members of the public".

"I accept her beliefs were truly held beliefs. Although it's accepted this defendant held pro-life views, it's important to note this case is not about the rights and wrongs about abortion but about whether the defendant was in breach of the PSPO”, she added.

Dr Tossici-Bolt said after the conviction, “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 controversial ruling has garnered international attention, including the US State Department, which said it was “monitoring” the case and “concerned about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom.”

Dr Tossici-Bolt said that the increase of censorship in the UK “has made the US feel it has to remind us of our shared values and basic civil liberties." She added, "It deeply saddens me that the UK is seen as an international embarrassment when it comes to free speech."

Dr Tossici-Bolt is represented by ADF International and will continue to explore her legal options following the ruling.