US Warns UK Over Free Speech Crackdown, Citing Silent Prayer Bans Near Abortion Clinics
London, August 13, 2025 – The United States has issued a stark warning to the United Kingdom, accusing it of imposing “serious restrictions” on free speech, particularly through buffer zone laws that criminalize silent prayer near abortion clinics. The criticism, outlined in the US State Department’s 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, has ignited a transatlantic debate over civil liberties, religious freedom, and the balance between protecting access to healthcare and upholding fundamental rights. The report, released on August 12, 2025, highlights the case of Adam Smith-Connor, a British army veteran convicted for silently praying near an abortion facility, as a glaring example of what it calls a “censorship crisis” in the UK.
The US State Department’s Critique
The US State Department’s annual human rights report flagged a “worsening” human rights situation in the UK, citing “credible reports of serious restrictions on freedom of expression.” The document specifically pointed to the enforcement of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) and the Public Order Act 2023, which establish “safe access zones” around abortion clinics. These zones, spanning 150 meters (approximately 500 feet) in England and Wales, prohibit actions deemed to “intentionally or recklessly” influence or cause distress to individuals accessing abortion services, including silent prayer.
The report noted, “These restrictions on freedom of speech could include prohibitions on efforts to influence others when inside a restricted area, even through prayer or silent protests.” It referenced the October 2024 conviction of Adam Smith-Connor, a 51-year-old physiotherapist and army veteran, who was found guilty of breaching a PSPO by silently praying for his unborn son outside an abortion clinic in Bournemouth in November 2022. Smith-Connor was ordered to pay £9,000 ($12,000) in costs and received a two-year conditional discharge, prompting widespread controversy.
US Vice President JD Vance, speaking at the Munich Security Conference in February 2025, had previously raised Smith-Connor’s case, describing it as a “heinous crime” of standing 50 meters from a clinic and praying silently for three minutes without obstructing or interacting with anyone. Vance warned that the UK was “undergoing a crisis of censorship,” a sentiment echoed in the State Department’s report. The document also criticized the UK’s Online Safety Act 2023, which expanded regulatory oversight over online speech, and Scotland’s Hate Crime and Public Order Act 2024, which introduced penalties of up to seven years’ imprisonment for “stirring up hatred” through speech.
Tammy Bruce, the State Department’s press secretary, underscored the US position at a press briefing on August 12, 2025, stating, “We consider freedom of expression to be a foundational component of a functioning democracy. Government censorship is intolerable in a free society.” The report’s release coincided with a visit by Vice President Vance to the UK, where he met Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Kent, further amplifying the issue.
The Case of Adam Smith-Connor
The case of Adam Smith-Connor has become a focal point in the free speech debate. Smith-Connor, supported by ADF International, was prosecuted for silently praying across the road from a Bournemouth abortion clinic, within a designated buffer zone. He stated that his prayer was a personal act of remembrance for a son he regretted aborting 24 years earlier, arguing that his prosecution amounted to “criminalizing someone’s beliefs.” The conviction drew international attention, with ADF International announcing an appeal, supported by crowdsourced funding, set for later in 2025.
Lorcan Price, an Irish barrister and legal counsel for ADF International, commented, “It’s plain to see that the censorship crisis is worsening in the UK – from citizens being arrested and prosecuted just for praying in their heads, to the Online Safety Act clamping down on free expression online.” The US report highlighted Smith-Connor’s case as emblematic of broader restrictions, noting that similar incidents have occurred, including the arrests of pro-life activists Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, Lovia Tossici-Bolt, and Father Sean Gough for praying or holding signs near clinics.
UK’s Legislative Landscape: Buffer Zones and Free Speech
The Public Order Act 2023, enacted under the previous Conservative government but implemented by the Labour government in October 2024, established nationwide “safe access zones” around abortion clinics in England and Wales. The law prohibits actions such as obstructing access, causing distress, or influencing decisions within these zones, with penalties including unlimited fines and up to six months in prison. Scotland and Northern Ireland have similar laws, with Scotland’s Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act 2024 extending zones to 200 meters and Northern Ireland’s 2023 law setting a 100-meter radius.
The Labour government’s decision to remove draft guidance that explicitly protected silent prayer within buffer zones, initially proposed by former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, has been a flashpoint. Braverman, speaking to The Telegraph on April 2, 2025, called Labour’s move “yet another attack on free speech, freedom of thought, and freedom of religion,” arguing that the guidance had struck a balance between protecting abortion access and preserving religious rights. The axed guidance had stated that silent prayer, as an “absolute right” under the Human Rights Act 1998, should not be considered an offense unless accompanied by intrusive conduct.
The UK government has defended the buffer zone laws, emphasizing the need to protect women from harassment when accessing healthcare. Labour MP Jess Phillips, a vocal supporter, stated, “No one should feel unsafe when accessing healthcare.” However, critics, including pro-life advocates and civil liberties groups, argue that the laws are overly broad, potentially criminalizing private thoughts or peaceful expressions of belief. A petition by ADF UK, garnering nearly 60,000 signatures by October 2024, urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to safeguard the right to silent prayer, warning of a “slippery slope” toward censoring other viewpoints.
Political and Public Reactions
The US report has strained UK-US relations, particularly as Prime Minister Keir Starmer navigates trade talks with the Trump administration, which has prioritized free speech as part of its “America First” agenda. The report’s delay, attributed to edits aligning it with Trump’s values, underscores the political weight of the issue. A senior US State Department official told Reuters that President Trump views free speech as a “cherished freedom,” and the report’s focus on the UK reflects concerns about foreign laws impacting American companies, such as fines under the Online Safety Act.
In the UK, the report has fueled domestic debate. Conservative MP Sir Gavin Williamson criticized the Labour government, stating, “The Government believes in free speech only if you agree with their worldview.” Kemi Badenoch, Tory leader, warned against “draconian interpretations of the law,” emphasizing the UK’s tradition of free expression. In response, a UK government spokesperson told the BBC, “Free speech is vital for democracy, and we are proud to uphold freedoms whilst keeping our citizens safe.”
Social media platforms, particularly X, have seen intense discussion. A post by @SamWilliam92826 on August 14, 2025, stated, “The report flags UK laws that specifically restrict peaceful protest in ‘buffer zones’ around abortion clinics as a threat to free expression, and religious freedoms.” Another user, @Kaz07Day, wrote, “A report from the US state department has formally accused the UK of ‘backsliding on human rights’ after bans on silent prayer.” These posts, while reflecting public sentiment, remain inconclusive without further verification.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Debate
The US warning has highlighted tensions between protecting abortion access and preserving free speech and religious freedom. Pro-choice advocates, such as Louise McCudden of MSI Reproductive Choices, argue that silent prayer near clinics can intimidate women, citing testimonies of distress. Conversely, religious groups, including the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, view the bans as a “disproportionate step backwards” for religious freedom.
The issue is likely to face further scrutiny in UK courts, with Smith-Connor’s appeal and potential challenges to the Public Order Act’s wording. Internationally, the US report’s criticism extends to Germany and France, suggesting a broader concern about free speech in Europe. In the UK, the debate has also touched on allegations of “two-tier justice,” with critics like Jim Jordan, chairman of the US House Judiciary Committee, claiming that “mean tweets” in the UK receive harsher penalties than some violent offenses.
As the UK approaches the implementation of its buffer zone laws nationwide, the clash between individual rights and public safety remains unresolved. The US’s intervention has amplified calls for clarity on whether silent prayer constitutes an offense, with implications for how democracies balance competing freedoms. For now, the Sea of Galilee’s red hue may fade, but the red flags raised by this transatlantic dispute are likely to persist.
Sources: US State Department 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, The Independent, The Telegraph, ADF International, Christian Today, EWTN Great Britain, Sky News, Yahoo News, and posts on X.
