Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, a pro-life activist from the UK, has received a £13,000 settlement from the West Midlands Police after filing a claim accusing them of false imprisonment, assault, and wrongful arrest. The arrest occurred in March 2023 when Vaughan-Spruce was praying silently outside an abortion clinic in Birmingham.
British pro-life activist Isabel Vaughan-Spruce has been awarded a £13,000 (approximately $17,000 USD) payout from the West Midlands Police in Birmingham, England, following a claim accusing them of false imprisonment, assault, and wrongful arrest.
Vaughan-Spruce, who is also the Director of UK March for Life, was arrested in March 2023 for allegedly violating a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) by praying silently outside Birmingham's Robert Clinic. The incident gained global attention after video of her arrest went viral on social media.
British Pro-Life Activist Wins £13,000 Payout for False Arrest and Assault During Silent Prayer Protest
Vaughan-Spruce has since continued to fight the charges, maintaining that prayer and thought are not crimes. She has expressed delight at the settlement but also a sense of déjà vu, as she was arrested again for silent prayer just two weeks after being acquitted in court for the previous arrest.
Lorcan Price of Alliance Defending Freedom UK, the legal entity representing Vaughan-Spruce, described the settlement as an indication that the arrests should never have happened. He noted that the viral video of Vaughan-Spruce's arrest had brought "significant embarrassment to the police" and highlighted the outrageous nature of their behavior.
British Pro-Life Activist Wins £13,000 Payout for False Arrest and Assault During Silent Prayer Protest
Multiple videos show Vaughan-Spruce being confronted by police officers who question her reasons for being near the abortion clinic. However, Vaughan-Spruce emphasizes that she "just want[s] fair treatment" and believes that Christians and pro-lifers deserve justice without having to threaten legal action.
With the newly-elected Labour government in place, concerns have arisen about a potential crackdown on free expression. Vaughan-Spruce expresses her fear that similar incidents could occur again, citing concerns about "two-tier policing" in the UK.
British Pro-Life Activist Wins £13,000 Payout for False Arrest and Assault During Silent Prayer Protest
She emphasizes the need for greater clarity that prayer is a "basic human right" to prevent police forces from being influenced by their own ideological beliefs. The British Home Office is slated to implement the Public Order Act, restricting activities within 150 meters (approximately 492 feet) of abortion facilities.
ADF UK is concerned about the potential misuse of these powers by the police, as seen in Vaughan-Spruce's case. When contacted for comment on Vaughan-Spruce's arrest last year, the West Midlands Police justified their actions by citing the PSPO and the potential for prosecution if it was breached.
British Pro-Life Activist Wins £13,000 Payout for False Arrest and Assault During Silent Prayer Protest
The settlement is a significant victory for Vaughan-Spruce and highlights the ongoing challenges faced by pro-life activists in the UK. The case raises concerns about the erosion of free expression and the need for clear legal protections for peaceful protests and the right to prayer.
