Latest news with #AdamSmith-Connor
Telegraph
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Cash-strapped council spends six figures prosecuting pro-life campaigners silently praying
A cash-strapped council has spent almost £150,000 prosecuting people accused of silently praying outside an abortion clinic, The Telegraph can reveal. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) council has twice taken costly legal action against pro-life campaigners who it said had breached a 'buffer zone' around the facility in Bournemouth. In October, the local authority spent £93,000 taking Adam Smith-Connor, an army veteran, to court for refusing to leave a 100 metre area surrounding the BPAS clinic in Bournemouth. The 51-year-old claimed he was praying silently for his unborn son, who he now regrets aborting 25 years ago. The army reservist, who served in Afghanistan, was found guilty of breaching a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) following a trial at the Bournemouth magistrates' court. He was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £9,000, which represented less than a tenth of the overall cost of bringing the case. Earlier this week, the council appointed a highly qualified barrister, known as a Silk, to prosecute retired medical scientist, Livia Tossici-Bolt, 64, who silently held up a sign saying 'here to talk' outside the same clinic in March 2023. The Telegraph understands the legal costs associated with that two-day trial are close to £45,000. The clinic at the centre of both cases has been targeted by anti-abortion campaigners in the past, and in 2022 the council made it the subject of a PSPO. Critics including JD Vance, the US vice president, have claimed the measures stifle free speech and lawful protest. In October last year, a new law was introduced providing a 'safe access zone' around abortion clinics, which makes it an offence for a person to do anything that intentionally or recklessly influences a person's decision to use abortion services, obstructs them, or causes harassment, alarm or distress to someone using or working at the premises. It means the cost of future prosecutions is likely to be met by the Crown. But the decision by the BCP council to bring two expensive prosecutions came at a time when it was facing significant financial pressure. In 2023, officials even discussed turning off street lights, closing splash parks, axing lollipop men and women and reducing library opening times in an attempt to save money. Last year, the council, which has a Liberal Democrat leader, struggled to manage a £44 million funding gap. 'Grossly disproportionate' Jeremiah Igunnubole, the legal counsel for ADF UK, which has supported the legal defence in both cases, said: 'It's grossly disproportionate for BCP council to have spent nearly £150,000 to prosecute two Christians of good character, for a summary only Magistrates' Court matter with a maximum sentence of £1000. 'In a free country, citizens shouldn't have to prepare a budget to defend the peaceful exercise of fundamental rights. 'Adam Smith-Connor merely prayed silently for three minutes – and Livia Tossici-Bolt simply offered to talk. 'Far from amounting to 'harassment and intimidation', both are peaceful, lawful activities that should be able to take place on any public street in Great Britain. 'The council's ideological drive is clear, that they would charge the public purse such exorbitant costs to criminalise particular views. 'This is the very antithesis of what it means to live in a democratic society where the free and frank exchange of ideas through conversation should be valued, not penalised. Free speech is truly in crisis in Britain.' A spokesman for BCP council said: 'In light of the previous high court judicial review brought against the PSPO, and the engagement of counsel, it was necessary for the council to employ a barrister for these cases. '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.' The verdict in the trial of Ms Tossici-Bolt is due to be handed down on April 4.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US vice president launches attack on BCP Council, government and courts
VICE president of the United States has criticised BCP Council, the government and the courts for prosecuting a man who breached an order outside an abortion clinic. JD Vance claimed the 'basic liberties of religious Britons' are under threat as he launched an attack on European democracy. He referred to the conviction of Adam Smith-Connor, 51, who had denied doing so but was found guilty last year of failing to comply with a public space protection order at the centre in Bournemouth in November 2022. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, Mr Vance that the US' 'very dear friends the United Kingdom' appeared to have seen a 'backslide in conscience rights.' 'A little over two years ago, the British government charged Adam Smith-Connor, a 51-year-old physiotherapist and an Army veteran, with the heinous crime of standing 50 metres from an abortion clinic and silently praying for three minutes, not obstructing anyone, not interacting with anyone, just silently praying on his own,' he said. 'After British law enforcement spotted him and demanded to know what he was praying for, Adam replied simply it was on behalf of the unborn son he and his former girlfriend had aborted years before. 'Now, the officers were not moved – Adam was found guilty of (breaking) the Government's new buffer zones law, which criminalises silent prayer and other actions that could influence a person's decision within 200 metres of abortion facility. 'He was sentenced to pay thousands of pounds in legal costs to the prosecution… in Britain and across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat.' In England, where the incident involving Smith-Connor took place, buffer zones apply within 150 metres of an abortion clinic. In Scotland, the zones apply within 200 metres. The case also preceded the enforcement of the Public Order Act 2023, which introduced the new rules on safe access zones outside all abortion clinics following a free vote in Parliament that received cross-party support. Smith-Connor had instead been charged with breaching a public space protection order under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which banned activity including protests, harassment and vigils. Proponents of safe access zones say women using a clinic can feel intimidated and distressed by the presence of someone standing in the area praying, even if they are not speaking. Critics argue the rule undermines the right to freedom of religion and free speech. Smith-Connor was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay more than £9,000 in court costs and victim surcharge after the legal proceedings brought by BCP Council.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Vance takes swipe at UK in speech at Munich security summit
The US vice-president has criticised the UK over a legal case in which a former serviceman who silently prayed outside an abortion clinic was convicted of breaching the safe zone around the centre. In a wider attack on what he suggested is a shift away from democratic values across Europe, JD Vance claimed the 'basic liberties of religious Britons, in particular' are under threat. He referred to the conviction of Adam Smith-Connor, 51, who had denied doing so but was found guilty last year of failing to comply with a public space protection order at the centre in Bournemouth in November 2022. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, Mr Vance that the US' 'very dear friends the United Kingdom' appeared to have seen a 'backslide in conscience rights.' 'A little over two years ago, the British government charged Adam Smith-Connor, a 51-year-old physiotherapist and an Army veteran, with the heinous crime of standing 50 metres from an abortion clinic and silently praying for three minutes, not obstructing anyone, not interacting with anyone, just silently praying on his own,' he said. 'After British law enforcement spotted him and demanded to know what he was praying for, Adam replied simply it was on behalf of the unborn son he and his former girlfriend had aborted years before. 'Now, the officers were not moved – Adam was found guilty of (breaking) the Government's new buffer zones law, which criminalises silent prayer and other actions that could influence a person's decision within 200 metres of abortion facility. 'He was sentenced to pay thousands of pounds in legal costs to the prosecution… in Britain and across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat.' In England, where the incident involving Smith-Connor took place, buffer zones apply within 150 metres of an abortion clinic. In Scotland, the zones apply within 200 metres. The case also preceded the enforcement of the Public Order Act 2023, which introduced the new rules on safe access zones outside all abortion clinics following a free vote in Parliament that received cross-party support. Smith-Connor had instead been charged with breaching a public space protection order under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which banned activity including protests, harassment and vigils. Proponents of safe access zones say women using a clinic can feel intimidated and distressed by the presence of someone standing in the area praying, even if they are not speaking. Critics argue the rule undermines the right to freedom of religion and free speech. Smith-Connor was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay more than £9,000 in court costs and victim surcharge after the legal proceedings brought by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. Mr Vance's speech, and his passing mention of the Russian war in Ukraine, came at a time of heightened concern and uncertainty over the Trump administration's foreign policy. 'In Washington there is a new sheriff in town and, under Donald Trump's leadership, we may disagree with your views, but we will fight to defend your right to offer it in the public square,' he said to tepid applause. He also said the administration 'believes we can come to a reasonable settlement between Russia and Ukraine'. Mr Vance is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later, for talks that many hope will shed some light on the US president's ideas for a negotiated end to the war. It comes after Mr Trump said he had agreed to 'work together, very closely' with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on starting negotiations to resolve the conflict. The Liberal Democrats said Britain would not 'take lectures about political freedoms' from 'the acolyte of a president who tried to undermine democracy and now praises Putin'. 'The British people will see straight through this hypocrisy,' the party's foreign affairs spokesman, Calum Miller MP, said. The Green Party said the vice-president's use of the summit to 'lambast allies rather than focus on the real chaos-makers in the world' was 'sadly predictable but no less bizarre and dangerous for that'. The party's foreign affairs spokeswoman said: 'President Trump's administration seems determined to usher in a new world where old friends are discarded and new friends made of dangerous autocrats. 'The UK should have no part of that and should work with others to protect international frameworks and institutions that support co-operation and the rule of law.'
The Independent
14-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
JD Vance backs Brexit voters amid anti-immigration rant at Munich conference
JD Vance has backed Brexit voters during a speech in Munich in which he attacked European leaders over migration and free speech. The US vice president stunned gathered delegates as he lashed out at governments across the continent for ignoring voters' concerns over migration and repressing free speech. Mr Vance said he had witnessed Europe 'retreat from some of its most fundamental values' and claimed that freedom is in danger across the continent. And he urged UK and EU leaders to stem the flow of illegal migration, adding that voters do not want the 'floodgates' open to millions. "No voter on this continent went to the ballot box to open the floodgates to millions of unvetted immigrants," he said. Turning to the UK, he added: "You know what they did vote for in England? They voted for Brexit and, agree or disagree, they voted for it. "And more and more all over Europe, they're voting for political leaders who promised to put an end to out-of-control migration. "Now, I happen to agree with a lot of these concerns, but you don't have to agree with me." Mr Vance's speech was a departure from the usual defence focus of speeches at the annual Munich Security Conference. He said security usually means 'threats to our external security', but that while Donald Trump is concerned with European security, the threat he worries the most about in Europe 'is not Russia, is not China, is not any other external actor'. 'What I worry about is the threat from within, the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values, values shared with the United States of America,' he added. Mr Vance also criticised the UK over a legal case in which a former serviceman who silently prayed outside an abortion clinic was convicted of breaching the safe zone around the centre. He claimed a 'backslide away from conscience rights has placed the basic liberties of religious Britons in particular in the crosshairs'. Mr Vance referred to the conviction of Adam Smith-Connor, 51, who was found guilty last year of failing to comply with the public space protection order in November 2022. In a wider attack on what he suggested was a shift away from democratic values in Europe, he told the conference: 'A little over two years ago, the British government charged Adam Smith-Connor, a 51-year-old physiotherapist and an Army veteran, with the heinous crime of standing 50 metres from an abortion clinic and silently praying for three minutes, not obstructing anyone, not interacting with anyone, just silently praying on his own. 'After British law enforcement spotted him and demanded to know what he was praying for, Adam replied simply, it was on behalf of the unborn son he and his former girlfriend had aborted years before. 'Now the officers were not moved – Adam was found guilty of (breaking) the Government's new buffer zones law, which criminalises silent prayer and other actions that could influence a person's decision within 200 metres of abortion facility. He was sentenced to pay thousands of pounds in legal costs to the prosecution… in Britain and across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat.' The speech came before a meeting with UK foreign secretary David Lammy, at which the pair are expected to discuss Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Ahead of the meeting, Mr Lammy said he looked forward to discussing support for Ukraine and European security with the vice president. In comments at the start of the meeting, the foreign secretary described the US-UK relationship as "more than just an alliance, it's a covenant between two partners". He added: "We are committed to increasing defence and encourage our friends across Europe to do the same, and of course we have got important issues to discuss on Ukraine and how we support Ukraine at this difficult moment, and also broader issues of UK-US security." Mr Vance said: "Honestly, we have a lot in common, and the special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States will remain very strong. "We are going to talk about something that he and I spoke about a couple of years ago, which is our shared belief that Europe really should take a big role in its own security, and I'm glad the Foreign Secretary agrees with me on that. "I think there are other issues of common agreement, I'm sure we will talk about Russia-Ukraine."
Sky News
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
JD Vance takes aim at UK and Europe over free speech and democracy
JD Vance has taken aim at the UK and Europe over what he claimed was "backsliding" free speech and democracy. The US vice president held no punches when addressing European leaders at the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Friday. "When I look at Europe today, it's sometimes not so clear what happened to some of the Cold War's winners," he said, during a speech that roamed across Europe targeting perceived infringes on free speech. "And perhaps most concerningly, I look to our very dear friends, the United Kingdom, where the backslide away from conscience rights has placed the basic liberties of religious Britons, in particular, in the crosshairs." Mr Vance criticised the country for the jailing of 51-year-old Adam Smith-Connor - who was imprisoned for breaching a safe zone around an abortion clinic in Bournemouth. "After British law enforcement spotted him and demanded to know what he was praying for, Adam replied simply, it was on behalf of the unborn son he and his former girlfriend had aborted years before," Mr Vance said. The conviction was not related to Smith-Connor's thoughts while he was in the safe zone. He then switched his focus to the car attack in Munich on Thursday in which 36 people were injured. Mr Vance wrongly described the suspect in that attack as an asylum seeker, when in reality he has lived in Munich since he arrived as an unaccompanied minor in 2016 and has a work permit. As he listed values he believes Europe is diverging away from the US over, he raised immigration. "I can't bring it up again without thinking about the terrible victims who had a beautiful winter day in Munich ruined," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with them and will remain with them. But why did this happen in the first place?" It's a "terrible story" that we've heard "way too many times in Europe", he added. Mr Vance's speech was the latest wake-up call for the UK and European nations in terms of security and the Trump administration's new foreign policy aims. It highlighted the divergence between the new US administration and their allies. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
