Government to press ahead with Public Order Bill, says Minister

Written Statement by Home Office Minister Lord Sharpe of Epsom 

On a free vote with cross-party support, an amendment was inserted into the Public Order Bill by the House of Commons on Tuesday 18 October. Clause 9 establishes designated areas (buffer zones) around abortion clinics where interference with people accessing or providing abortion services would be an offence.

Section 19(1) of the Human Rights Act provides a mechanism to notify Parliamentarians if a statement cannot be made that a clause is compatible with the ECHR, but this does not fetter the right of Parliament to legislate in such a way, should it wish.

I am unable, but only because of clause 9, to make a statement that, in my view, the provisions of the Bill are presently compatible with Convention rights but the Government nevertheless wishes to proceed with the Bill.

The Government has published a separate ECHR memorandum with its assessment of the compatibility of the Bill’s provisions with the Convention rights: this memorandum is available on the Government website.

I am sure this House will naturally wish to debate and scrutinise this amendment further. I look forward to continuing working with all colleagues on this legislation as the Bill moves through Parliament.