Today, MPs have voted in favour of amendment NC11 to the Public Order Bill, which will create national buffer zones around abortion clinics.
Responding to the news, Dr Edward Morris, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said:
“We welcome the decision by MPs to support the introduction of national buffer zones around abortion clinics in the Public Order Bill.
“Abortion is an essential sexual and reproductive health service, and introducing buffer zones will ensure that women accessing care, and healthcare professionals providing care, can do so without enduring harassment or intimidation. Buffer zones will also help to remove the stigma, guilt and shame that anti-choice organisations try to impose on women accessing this essential health service.
“We hope that the House of Lords will join MPs in supporting NC11 to the Public Order Bill to ensure that the privacy and rights of all those who access and provide abortion care are respected.”
ENDS
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