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DUP MP Celebrates Court Victory For Woman Arrested For Praying

Carla Lockhart MP • Aug 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."



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


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