Britain Prosecutes Christian Woman For Silent Prayer: US Government Calls It "Concerning" Threat to Religious Freedom
UK Charges Catholic Volunteer Under New Buffer Zone Law For Praying Silently Outside Abortion Clinic
Isabel Vaughan Spruce, a 48 year old Catholic charity volunteer, faces criminal prosecution under Section 9 of the UK's Public Order Act 2023 for silently praying outside an abortion clinic in Birmingham.
West Midlands Police charged Vaughan Spruce in December 2025, marking the first prosecution under the new national buffer zone law that went into effect in October 2024. The law prohibits any act deemed as influencing within 150 meters of abortion facilities but does not specifically mention silent prayer.
First Prosecution Under New National Buffer Zone Legislation
The US State Department responded to the charges by calling the prosecution concerning and stating it represents a threat to fundamental freedoms of expression and religion or belief.
A State Department spokesman told The Telegraph the decision is an unwelcome departure from the shared values that ought to underpin US UK relations. Attorney General Richard Hermer confirmed this is the only case brought under Section 9 since the law commenced on October 31, 2024.
Vaughan Spruce has been peacefully praying in the same public area on a regular basis for 20 years. West Midlands Police informed her in March 2025 that she was under investigation for praying silently near the facility on January 27 as well as several other subsequent dates. The charges state that between June and November 2024, Vaughan Spruce stood four times within the defined buffer zone with alleged intent to influence. She is scheduled to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on January 29, 2026.
This marks the third time police have responded to Vaughan Spruce's silent prayers. In 2023, she was acquitted in court after being arrested for praying in a local buffer zone under a Public Spaces Protection Order that banned expressions of approval or disapproval of abortion.
The incident occurred while the abortion facility was closed and prosecution offered no evidence to support a conviction. Despite being cleared of wrongdoing, she was arrested again weeks later for the same silent prayers in the same location.
In August 2024, Vaughan Spruce successfully challenged her two unjust arrests and received a settlement of £13,000 from West Midlands Police.
With support from ADF International, she issued claims for wrongful arrests, false imprisonment, assault and battery related to an intrusive search of her person, and breach of her human rights. West Midlands Police acknowledged wrongdoing and injustice in her treatment.
Despite multiple vindications, Vaughan Spruce continues to face harassment. West Midlands Police have posted two officers to watch her pray silently on regular occasions. Officers have approached her and asked if she is praying. Vaughan Spruce stated, "Despite being fully vindicated multiple times after being wrongfully arrested for my thoughts, it's unbelievable that I have yet again been charged for standing in that public area, and holding pro life beliefs. Silent prayer or holding pro life beliefs cannot possibly be a crime. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought."
THE CRUSADER'S OPINION
Isabel has prayed in the same spot for 20 years. She's been arrested twice, vindicated twice, paid £13,000 in settlements. And they arrested her again. Because her thoughts are illegal now. Because believing life begins at conception is criminal. Because praying to God is influencing.
The US State Department is right to be concerned. When our closest ally prosecutes Christians for silent prayer, something is catastrophically wrong. Britain used to send missionaries to evangelize the world. Now they send police to arrest grandmothers for praying. This is what happens when secular governments get to decide which thoughts are acceptable and which are crimes.
Every Christian in the West should be terrified. Today it's silent prayer near abortion clinics. Tomorrow it's silent prayer anywhere. Then it's believing the wrong things. Then it's teaching your children the Bible. The slope isn't slippery anymore. We're in freefall. And Britain just showed us where we land: a place where your thoughts can put you in chains.
TAKE ACTION
• ADF International: Donate at adfinternational.org to support Isabel Vaughan Spruce's legal defense and fight against UK thoughtcrime prosecutions of Christians for silent prayer
• Contact UK Officials: Email the Crown Prosecution Service and West Midlands Police demanding they drop charges against Isabel Vaughan Spruce for exercising her fundamental right to freedom of thought and religion • US Congressional Pressure: Contact your senators and representatives urging them to formally condemn UK prosecution of silent prayer and demand diplomatic pressure on Britain to protect religious freedom
• Alliance Defending Freedom: Support adfuk.org providing legal representation for Christians facing prosecution under buffer zone laws across the United Kingdom
• Share This Story: Post about Isabel Vaughan Spruce's case everywhere using hashtags about religious freedom and thoughtcrime, tagging US State Department and UK officials demanding they protect fundamental rights
Your Action: This is the canary in the coal mine. If Britain can prosecute silent prayer, every Western nation is next. Make noise. Flood UK embassies with calls and emails. Demand your government cut ties with any nation that criminalizes thought. Support ADF International's legal fight. And pray for Isabel, because in Britain today, that prayer might get you arrested tomorrow.
