{"id":37390,"date":"2026-06-03T19:39:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T18:39:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/?p=37390"},"modified":"2026-06-05T14:21:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T13:21:30","slug":"buffer-zone-bible-case-moves-to-ehcr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/index.php\/buffer-zone-bible-case-moves-to-ehcr\/","title":{"rendered":"Buffer Zone Bible Case Moves to EHCR"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our lawyers have submitted an application to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), seeking consideration of the case of Christian Voice National Director,\u00a0 Stephen Green, who was prosecuted<\/b><\/a> for displaying a Bible verse within an abortion clinic buffer zone.<\/p>\n

Mr. Green was convicted after holding a sign bearing the words of Psalm 139:13:<\/p>\n

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. <\/b>(KJV)<\/p>\n

The application, lodged by the Christian Legal Centre, asks the EHRC to examine the implications of the case for freedom of religion and freedom of expression in the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n

Mr Green pleaded not guilty, maintaining that he was exercising his right to freedom of speech and religious expression. However, Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court convicted him of breaching the buffer zone order. He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay \u00a32,426 in costs and surcharge. Stephen Green applied to appeal his conviction but was refused<\/b><\/a> by a judge in February 2026.<\/p>\n

The preacher harassed nobody, nor did he mention abortion. Nevertheless, District Judge Kathryn Verghis ruled that by holding the sign he was guilty of protesting by \u2018engaging in an act of approval\/disapproval, with respect to issues related to abortion services\u2019.<\/p>\n

Mr Green has vowed to continue challenging unjust restrictions on Christian witness in public spaces.<\/p>\n

Stop Abortion Buffer Zones \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

A Direct Attack on the Bible<\/h2>\n
\"Bible<\/a>
The court has put the Bible in chains<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Stephen Green said: “As a Christian I should be able to preach freely all over the land. Psalm 139 is about how we all belong to God from conception.<\/p>\n

“Buffer zones and this conviction is a direct attack on the Bible and free speech, which is being licenced by the state. I have no choice but to continue to defend myself and fight for justice. People are right to be concerned about the buffer zone legislation. To bar Christian witness and to control what people can say is deeply draconian and discriminatory against Christians.<\/p>\n

“If it is now a criminal offence to hold a sign with a verse from Psalm 139 on it in a London street, then none of us is free. I have been ordered to pay costs, frankly I would rather go to prison than pay this to the state that has banned the Bible.”<\/p>\n

Mr Green is continuing his legal fight against restrictions which he argues effectively criminalise the public sharing of biblical truths in certain locations across the UK.<\/p>\n

Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you.<\/b><\/p>\n

Support NCCSS \/ Christian Voice \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

Rose Docherty<\/h2>\n

In May 2026<\/b><\/a>, another significant development strengthened the case for free speech around abortion buffer zones. The Crown Office declined to appeal the acquittal of Rose Docherty, a 75-year-old Catholic grandmother from Glasgow who had been prosecuted after offering to speak with people near an abortion facility.<\/p>\n

Mrs Docherty was cleared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on 27 April after a judge dismissed two charges alleging that she had attempted to “influence” people within a buffer zone. The decision marked the first successful defence under Scotland’s abortion buffer zone legislation.<\/p>\n

The Crown Office had one week to challenge the ruling but allowed the deadline to pass. ADF International coordinated her legal defence. Mrs Docherty had been arrested outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital while holding a sign that read: “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want.”<\/p>\n

She neither approached anyone nor engaged in behaviour that was threatening, obstructive or intimidating. Nevertheless, she was detained for several hours and, despite having undergone a double hip replacement, says she was denied a chair while being held in custody.<\/p>\n

With support from ADF International, Mrs Docherty is now considering legal action over her treatment and arrest. This was the second time she had been arrested for offering peaceful, consensual conversation within a buffer zone. An earlier prosecution was dropped in August 2025.<\/p>\n

This matters enormously\u2014not only for Rose Docherty, but for everyone who believes that offering a consensual conversation on a public street should never be treated as a criminal offence.<\/p>\n

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season.<\/b><\/p>\n

Return to the UK’s Christian Constitution \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

What Happened to Pastor Johnson?<\/h2>\n
\"Clive<\/a>
Clive Johnston: Pastor facing court for preaching close to abortion clinic at Causeway Hospital | BelfastTelegraph.co.uk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Retired pastor Clive Johnston<\/b><\/a> was found guilty of carrying out an act within a safe access zone that could influence a person attending the premises. He was also convicted of failing to comply with a direction to leave the area and was fined \u00a3450.<\/p>\n

The 78-year-old former President of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland conducted an open-air service near Causeway Hospital in Coleraine on 7 July 2024.<\/p>\n

Pastor Johnston described his conviction under Northern Ireland’s abortion buffer zone laws as “a very dark day for Christian freedom”.<\/p>\n

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.<\/b><\/p>\n

High Court Overturns Conviction<\/h2>\n

In contrast to several recent prosecutions, veteran pro-life campaigner David Skinner<\/b><\/a> secured a significant legal victory when the High Court overturned his conviction.<\/p>\n

Mr Skinner had been prosecuted after sending an email containing graphic images opposing abortion and censorship zones around abortion facilities in Bournemouth. On 24 May, Mr Justice Saini ruled that although the offence may have been established under domestic law, maintaining a criminal conviction would represent a disproportionate interference with Mr Skinner’s rights to freedom of expression and freedom of religion.<\/p>\n

The case, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, centred on an email sent in April 2023 to local officials, police representatives and councillors in Dorset. In the correspondence, Mr Skinner outlined his moral objections to abortion and criticised what he viewed as unjust enforcement of the Bournemouth buffer zone.<\/p>\n

The ruling brought to an end nearly three years of legal proceedings and highlighted important constitutional questions surrounding free speech and religious liberty.<\/p>\n

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.<\/b><\/p>\n

Another Conviction<\/h2>\n

Physiotherapist Adam Smith-Connor<\/b><\/a> was convicted after praying silently outside an abortion facility in Bournemouth. The 51-year-old former serviceman stood outside the British Pregnancy Advisory Service clinic in Ophir Road in November 2022 while a Public Spaces Protection Order was in force.<\/p>\n

Poole Magistrates’ Court heard that Mr Smith-Connor stood with his head bowed and hands clasped. He later explained that he had been praying for his unborn son, who died through abortion 22 years earlier.<\/p>\n

He maintained not breaching the order. However, District Judge Orla Austin concluded that his actions had been deliberate and convicted him.<\/p>\n

Mr Smith-Connor received a two-year conditional discharge and was ordered to pay more than \u00a39,000 in costs.<\/p>\n

“Buffer Zones”<\/h2>\n

In January 2023<\/b><\/a>, following an amendment to the Public Order Bill, ‘buffer zones’ around abortion clinics were brought in nationally.<\/p>\n

Politicians and campaigners have decried the introduction of the zones as draconian measures that criminalize free speech and prevent vulnerable women from access to alternatives to abortion.<\/p>\n

The conviction of Green comes a day after Home Secretary James Cleverly said his department is listening ‘very carefully’ to responses to a consultation on draft non-statutory guidance to support the introduction of Safe Access Zones around abortion clinics.<\/p>\n

The Government has said the guidance is designed to ensure abortion service providers and everyone within Safe Access Zones are clear as to what is expected under the Public Order Act 2023.<\/p>\n

The legislation, covering England and Wales, contains powers to make it an offence to interfere with, intimidate or harass women accessing, or people providing, abortion services.<\/p>\n

READ: Gen 4:8-10, 14:16; Deut 27:25; 1Sam 30:18; Prov 6:16-17; Eccl 11:5; Isa 59:7; Matt 18:10; Luke 12:11-12; 1 Corinth 16:13; Eph 6:13-19; 2 Tim 2:9<\/b><\/p>\n

PRAY<\/b>: Pray that the Lord will strengthen Christians to stand boldly for truth, regardless of the cost.<\/p>\n

Father, protect freedom to preach, pray, and share Your Word throughout the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n

Pray that the Lord will grant wisdom and courage to judges, lawmakers, and public officials to uphold justice and liberty.<\/p>\n

WRITE<\/b>: To your MP at House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA or email him\/her from the MP list below. Ask your MP to agree with you that Buffer Zones are an unwarranted assault on freedom of speech.<\/p>\n

Use this UK Parliament link to email your MP \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

Previous Articles<\/h2>\n

UK-wide abortion \u2018buffer zones\u2019 (20\/09\/24) \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

Bible in chains after Buffer Zone verdict (02\/02\/24) \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

Buffer Zone Trial infringes human rights (13\/01\/24) \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

Bible on Trial as CV director faces court (10\/10\/23) \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

Buffer Zone Court Threat (15\/03\/23) \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

Buffer Zone Challenge Videos (20\/02\/23) \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

Buffer Zone Challenge Progress (09\/02\/23) \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

Buffer Zone Challenge (04\/02\/23) \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

Ask us to come and speak at your church \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

Support us!<\/h2>\n

We appreciate your support; it enables our research and helps us inform your prayers.
\nSo click below to support Christian Voice and stand up for the King of kings<\/b>
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Or fill in the form below to keep in touch:<\/p>\n

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Click on the social media links below to share this post:<\/b><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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