The British House of Commons has voted in favour of placing exclusion zones around abortion facilities in the UK, a move condemned by Right to Life UK. A similar law is being proposed by the Irish Government.

MPs voted by 297 to 110 in support of an amendment to the Public Order Bill to introduce the ‘buffer zones’. The Conservative party allowed a free vote.

Carla Lockhart MP, who voted against the move, noted: “We already have laws on the statute book to prevent harassment and maintain public order, including laws in place to ensure women are not harassed or intimidated outside abortion clinics”.

In a press release, Right to Life UK, said: “Hundreds of women have been helped outside abortion clinics by pro-life volunteers who have provided them with practical support, which made it clear to them that they had another option other than going through with the abortion”.

“This passing of this amendment means that the vital practical support provided by volunteers outside abortion clinics will be removed for women and many more lives will likely be lost to abortion”.