In a court hearing n the 5th(?) May, senior and front-line staff at Waltham Forest Council admitted to acting unlawfully and being out of their depth after shutting down a pro-life campaign after pressure from their local pro-abortion MP.
Exposing the reality of abortion
In October 2019, the Centre for-Bio-Ethical Reform UK (CBR UK) launched its campaign #StopStella in Walthamstow, London – the constituency of MP Stella Creasy. The aim of the campaign was to expose to her constituents the realities of her extreme abortion policies. These include legalising abortion for any reason up to 28 weeks into a pregnancy.
The campaign itself involved displaying medically validated images of what an aborted baby looks like at 24 weeks. CBR UK members and volunteers were also distributing information to members of the public highlighting their MP’s abortion policies.
Shutting down free speech
The response from Stella Creasy, Waltham Forest Council and certain members of the public was unprecedented. Stella Creasy sought to criminalise the displaying of images and used any means possible to shut down debate and any further exposure of the issue.
Video footage reveals Waltham Forest Council officers subsequently confiscating CBR UK’s banners and issuing Christian Hacking, of CBR UK, with a Community Protection Notice (CPN). The CPN would now see him prosecuted if he returns to the borough to display the images.
Acting unlawfully
Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, CBR UK is appealing the CPN. The outcome is expected to be handed down by District Judge Jonathan Radway at the beginning of April.
The excerpts below from the court hearing on 26 and 27 February 2020 expose council officers admitting that their actions were unlawful while under cross-examination from barrister Michael Phillips. Exchanges with witnesses who opposed the displaying of the images also reveal how poorly the concept of freedom of speech is understood by the public.
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, commented: “District Judge Jonathan Radway has heard front-line and senior members of Waltham Forest Council admit to acting unlawfully.
“Stella Creasy has not enjoyed being exposed to the realities of her own pro-abortion campaign. To campaign to legalise abortion means that we have to face up to its tragic reality. Instead, Stella is using all the power she has to shut it down.
“If we are not free to protest abortion then we are not free at all in this society.”
Key exchanges with Waltham Forest Council employees’
David Beach – Director of Regulatory Services at Waltham Forest Council
Michael Phillips: Are you aware, in hindsight, that your officers of the Council did not have the power to seize the banners? The Council acted illegally.
David Beach: In that instance: yes.
Michael Phillips: Would you like to offer an apology?
David Beach: I regret that we acted in that way.
Michael Phillips: Were any officers disciplined [for acting illegally]?
David Beach: No officers were disciplined.
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Michael Phillips: Were you aware that your officers did not engage with Mr Hacking?
David Beach: Mr Connor read out the CPN to Christian Hacking.
Michael Phillips: Could you have done something different [rather than issue the CPW and CPN]? Would you agree that your officers were trigger happy or even casual in their approach?
David Beach: No, I would not say this.
Michael Phillips: Public feeling was running quite high. How many people were complaining?
David Beach: I don’t want to put a number on that.
Michael Phillips: Are you aware that ‘distress’ is irrelevant in the argument for free speech?
David Beach: [Answer indistinct]
Michael Phillips: There are at least two factors that have to be considered [before any action on limiting freedom of speech can be considered]. Protection of the public and consideration of free speech. Public feeling cannot be the sole criteria.
Michael Phillips: There were many people who were positive [to the protest].
David Beach: That was irrelevant.
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