Isabel Vaughan-Spruce investigated again for silent prayer outside abortion clinic |
West Midlands Police have confirmed that Isabel Vaughan-Spruce is under investigation again for silently praying on a public street near an abortion clinic in Birmingham. This is the third occasion on which police have acted in response to Vaughan-Spruce’s silent prayers.
In August 2024, Vaughan-Spruce won her legal challenge over her two previous wrongful arrests and was awarded £13,000 in compensation by West Midlands Police.
For the past twenty years, Vaughan-Spruce has worked tirelessly as a volunteer in helping women experiencing unplanned pregnancies while also maintaining her weekly prayers outside her local abortion facility.
Responding to the news that she is under police investigation again, Vaughan-Spruce said: “Despite being fully vindicated multiple times after being wrongfully arrested for my thoughts, it’s unbelievable that I am still being harassed by police for silently praying in that area, and yet again find myself under investigation for the same prayers I have said for twenty years. Silent prayer cannot possibly be a crime – everyone has the right to freedom of thought.”
Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF International, who have supported Vaughan- Spruce’ legal defence, said: “’Buffer zones’ are among the most concerning frontiers of censorship in the modern west. We all stand against harassment and abuse, but the ‘buffer zone’ law broadly bans “influence”, which is being interpreted by police officers to target innocent people who happen to stand in a certain place and believe a certain thing. We will continue to robustly challenge this unjust censorship, and support Isabel’s right to think and believe freely.” | 
