Ealing's Abortion Clinic 'Buffer Zone' Challenged

High Court hearing over Marie Stopes Clinic protests

Anti-abortion campaigners are at the High Court challenging a so called 'buffer zone' outside an Ealing abortion clinic.

The zone was adopted by Ealing Council in April 2018 after women using the Marie Stopes facility on Mattock Lane complained of intimidation.

However, members of the Good Counsel Network (GCN) have challenged the ban claiming it defies their right to protest. Alina Dulgheriu and Andrea Orthova, who regularly attend the vigils held by the GCN have taken the case to court.

GCN's lawyers argue the order "criminalises acts of prayer" and said the ban interfered with the protesters rights under the European Convention on Human Rights to freedom of expression.

Lawyers representing Ealing Council said the buffer zone should remain, and that some women had been "significantly affected by their encounters with the activists".

The court hearing is expected to last two days.

17th July 2019