The woman arrested and charged with “intimidation” after she prayed silently near a closed abortion facility has asked the Scottish government to protect freedom of expression and thought.

The video of Vaughan-Spruce’s arrest went viral after she was searched, arrested and criminally charged for praying in a “censorship zone”, instituted by local authorities in Birmingham through a “Public Space Protection Order”.

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce has warned that a Scottish MSP’s bill to introduce similar exclusion zones In Scotland could lead to more people being arrested for simply offering help, or even silently praying to themselves.

“It’s essential that the government protect freedom of expression and of thought for the people of Scotland. As a charitable volunteer, I strongly condemn the harassment of women in vulnerable situations. This is already illegal in Scotland – but the new proposals to install censorial zones around abortion facilities criminalise those who offer financial or practical charitable help outside abortion facilities – or, like I was doing when I was arrested – simply praying silently and imperceptibly inside our minds,” commented Vaughan-Spruce.