Five cross-party politicians, Sir Edward Leigh, Andrew Lewer, Carla Lockhart, Andrew Bridgen, and Lord Jackson, have called on the Home Office to protect consensual conversation and silent prayer in “buffer zones” after a woman was charged for holding a sign. Dr Livia Tossici-Bolt, a Christian woman and retired medical scientist, is facing trial for merely holding a sign that said: “Here to talk, if you want to,” in a “buffer zone” around an abortion centre in Bournemouth [e8dbe6bc].
The MPs highlight the double standard in law enforcement and the censorious effects of public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) on free speech, thought, and religious liberty. They call for the final Home Office guidance on “buffer zones” to protect consensual conversations and silent prayer, and criticize the vote for “buffer zones” in the Public Order Act for not being whipped in favor of free speech. The MPs also point out the importance of upholding international standards on freedom of speech and thought [e8dbe6bc].
The incident involving Dr Livia Tossici-Bolt highlights the ongoing debate surrounding buffer zones and their impact on freedom of speech. The woman was charged for holding a sign that simply stated her willingness to engage in conversation, raising concerns about the limits placed on individuals' ability to express their views in public spaces. The MPs' call for the protection of consensual conversation and silent prayer in buffer zones reflects a broader concern about the potential infringement on free speech and religious liberty [e8dbe6bc].