Anti-abortion campaigners hail 'free speech victory' as trial collapses

A District Judge dismissed the case against Andrew Stephenson, 37, and Kathryn Sloane, 21, who were arrested after unfurling 7ft banners showing aborted foetuses outside the Wistons clinic in Brighton last year.

The Christian Legal Centre, which supported the defendants, said it would be seeking an urgent meeting with police chiefs about the interpretation of the Public Order Act relating to issues of religious belief.

Claims emerged during the trial that police had been actively "fishing for complaints" in an effort to get rid of the campaigners.

Mr Stephenson said: "What the police have been doing in shutting us down has had a chilling effect on free speech.

Hopefully, this will have a chilling effect on the police to hold back on the over-reaching application of the law."

Andrea Minichiello Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Cantre, said: The dismissal of these charges will be welcomed by all who value freedom of speech and expression.

Given our experience in this and other similar cases, we will be seeking a meeting with the Association of Chief Police Officers to explore whether better guidance can be drawn up over the policing of such activities, especially those motivated by religious convictions.

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Anti-abortion campaigners hail 'free speech victory' as trial collapses