DUP MP Celebrates Court Victory For Woman Arrested For Praying

Carla Lockhart MP • August 28, 2024

Carla Lockhart, Member of Parliament for Upper Bann, has expressed her strong support for Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, following her successful legal challenge after being twice arrested for silently praying outside an abortion clinic. Vaughan-Spruce received a £13,000 payout in acknowledgment of the wrongful arrests, marking a significant victory for religious freedom.

Speaking Carla said, "Well done to my good friend Isabel Vaughan-Spruce. It should never be illegal to pray, and in this case, pray silently! We are a country founded on Christian values, and it is alarming to see these values being suppressed and challenged.”


Carla is a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on International Freedom of Religion or Belief, emphasised the importance of defending the right to religious expression, particularly in a society built on principles of faith. "This case is a reminder of the need to protect everyone’s religious freedoms, including the right to pray. Isabel's courage in standing up for her beliefs is highly commendable."

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This outcome reinforces the importance of upholding fundamental rights, including the freedom to express one's faith peacefully and publicly.


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