A woman arrested while silently praying outside a closed abortion clinic has had her bail conditions dropped.
Isabel Vaughan-Spruce was praying in her head within a zone under a public spaces protection order (PSPO) when officers arrested and then charged her with breaching conditions applying inside the so-called "buffer zone".
The buffer zones were introduced in Birmingham to curb the presence of pro-life activists and ensure women can access the abortion clinic without interference.
Buffer zones are set to become law across England and Wales, while legislation has already passed in Scotland.
However, West Midlands Police has decided to relax the bail conditions set for Ms Vaughan-Spruce, following months of deliberations.
The conditions banned Ms Vaughan-Spruce from entering into a number of spaces across Birmingham, wider than the original buffer zone within which she was arrested.
It meant she was unable to participate in Lent prayer meetings at her church, from which she leads a 40 Days For Life group.
Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF UK, who are supporting Vaughan-Spruce's legal defense, said: "Whilst we welcome West Midlands Police's decision to relax Isabel's bail conditions, the cavalier manner in which her basic rights were restricted is deeply concerning.
"In Britain, you are innocent until proven guilty, which means citizens are entitled to demand that any curtailment of their civil liberties is proven to be strictly necessary and proportionate - criteria that West Midlands Police failed to meet in the initial bail conditions imposed on Isabel."
Premier Christian News has reached out to West Midlands Police for comment.
