A British woman was considered guilty on Friday (4) for violating a protection zone outside a UK abortion clinic, in a case that attracted Trump government concern about “freedom of expression” in the country.
Livia Tossici-Bolt, 64, from Bournemouth, a city on the southern coast of England, was convicted of two accusations of violation of the Order of Protection of Public Spaces (PSPO), legislation prohibiting protests near abortion services in two days in March 2023.
The anti -abortion activist and retired medical scientist held a sign outside a Bournemouth abortion clinic saying, “Here to talk if you want.”
District Judge Orla Austin told the Court of Poole Magistrates that Tossici-Bolt “has no perception that her presence could have a detrimental effect on women who attend the clinic, their members, staff and public members,” said British news agency PA Media.
The judge added that “although it is accepted that this defendant has pro-life views, it is important to note that this case is not about the rights and errors about abortion, but about whether the defendant violated the PSPO (order of protection of public spaces).”
The case of Tossici-BOLT attracted the attention of the US State Department at a time when Washington expressed concerns about freedom of expression in the UK and other European countries.
“United US-Kingdom relations share mutual respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. However, as Vice-President Vance said, we are concerned about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom,” wrote the US Department of State Department’s office on Sunday before the decision.
The DRL added that one of his counselors met Tossici-Bolt and was “monitoring” his case.
US Vice President JD Vance previously criticized UK policies, including safe access zones around abortion clinics, saying they restrict freedom of expression.
During a speech in February, Vance cited the example of a man arrested for praying near an abortion clinic.
“In the United Kingdom and throughout Europe, freedom of expression, fear, is backwards,” he said at the conference.
It rejected Vance’s suggestion, denying that the issue could harm efforts to close a trade agreement with a comprehensive administration.
“The (Prime Minister) was clear, even during his visit to the White House… that the United Kingdom has been freedom of expression in this country for a long time and we are proud of it,” said UK Prime Minister spokesman Keir Stmerer, Jonathan Reynolds, on Tuesday (1st).
The United Kingdom introduced safe access protection zones around British abortion clinics on October 31. The law applies within 150 meters from the abortion service provider.
“The right to access abortion services is a fundamental right to women in this country, and no one should feel insecure when seeking to access it,” said UK Protection Minister Jess Phillips at the time.
