PROTESTERS have said the prosecution of an anti-abortion activist is an ‘attack on the freedom of thought’.
Demonstrators gathered outside Bournemouth town hall to express their anger at BCP Council’s £93,441 spending to bring Adam Smith-Connor to court.
As well as this, the group of about 20 people claimed Smith-Connor's guilty conviction at the court is a “blatant violation of our rights”.
Smith-Connor was found guilty at Poole Magistrates’ Court on October 16 of breaching a public spaces protection order (PSPO), enforced by BCP Council.
The PSPO was outside the BPAS abortion clinic in Bournemouth, put in order to protect staff and service users following issues with protests.
Protester Livia Tossici-Bolt, in her 60s, said the court verdict is a “blatant violation of our rights” and said the case was “the first time in modern Britain that thoughts have been prosecuted”.
She added: “He was praying silently in his head, he had his head bowed and the prosecution is detrimental to our society.
“We’re here to protest against the council for ‘thought crime’; it has directed taxpayers’ money to prosecute against our basic freedom of thought, when it is supposed to be cash strapped.”
Amabel Clarke added: “There was a similar case in Birmingham with Isabel Vaughan-Spruce when she was arrested by the police twice for silently praying.
“Twice she went to court and twice she was acquitted. It’s a violation against freedom of expression.”
John Trickett, a former councillor for Bournemouth Borough Council, said he has read many detailed documents during his time on the licensing committee.
“So when I read the PSPO, nowhere can I see anything about silent prayer,” the 78-year-old told the Echo outside the town hall.
“Nowhere else in the country has this condition been imposed on people.”
His wife Manina added Smith-Connor is a “peaceful, nice, caring man – and so gentle” and described his prosecution as “wrong”.
Sebastian Sanyal, chair of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, said the prosecution is a “travesty”.
The 31-year-old said: “It’s out of order how far BCP Council has gone to prosecute Adam Smith-Connor. The future of our country is at stake here. It’s a slippery slope that can get worse.”
Julie Vivien, who recently stood for parliament, added a "dangerous precedent" has been set by the court and council.
BCP Council's spokesman defended the authority's decision to employ a barrister.
He said: “The council welcomes the court’s decision that the prosecution was not an abuse of the legal process, and to find Mr Smith-Connor guilty of breaching the terms of the PSPO on 24 November 2022.
“In light of the previous high court judicial review brought against the PSPO, and the engagement of counsel by Mr Smith-Connor, it was necessary for the council to employ a barrister for this case.
“The PSPO covering Ophir Road and the surrounding area, Bournemouth, was introduced following public consultation in 2022 and is in place to protect those accessing or working in medical services at the British Pregnancy Advisory Clinic.
"The council will continue to monitor any alleged breaches of this PSPO and take appropriate action when it is deemed necessary.”
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