Silent Prayer Charges Dropped

Wonderful news! Our prayers are answered, and justice in done. The outrageous charges against the pro-life campaigner arrested in December for silently praying near an abortion facility in Birmingham, have been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, the Director of March for Life UK, was searched and arrested after the police received a complaint that she might be praying in a censorship zone.

She was charged with “protesting and engaging in an act that is intimidating to service users”, despite the centre being closed at the time.

Although the CPS has now dropped the case against her, it threatened that the charges “may well start again” if further evidence emerges.

However, Miss Vaughan-Spruce intends to pursue a verdict in court, as the result has left her with legal uncertainty in her work supporting pregnant women.

She said: “So-called ‘buffer zone legislation’ will result in so many more people like me, doing good and legal activities like offering charitable support to women in crisis pregnancies, or simply praying in their heads, being treated like criminals and even facing court.”

She added: “Many of us need an answer as to whether it’s still lawful to pray silently in our own heads. That’s why I’ll be pursuing a verdict regarding my charges in court.”

Jeremiah Igunnubole, Legal Counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, which supported Miss Vaughan-Spruce throughout her ordeal, said she was right to pursue a clear outcome.

“This is a clear instance of the process becoming the punishment creating a chilling effect on free expression and freedom of thought, conscience and belief.”

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