US government expresses disappointment over conviction of UK woman for abortion buffer zone breach

Simon Caldwell• April 7, 2025

The American government has expressed disappointment over the conviction of a British Christian woman who held up a sign outside a Bournemouth abortion clinic saying: “Here to talk, if you want.”

The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour said on X, the social media platform, that it was “disappointed with the UK court’s conviction of Livia Tossici-Bolt for violating a designated buffer zone at an abortion clinic.”

It said: “Freedom of expression must be protected for all”.

Dr Tossici-Bolt, a 64-year-old retired scientist, was convicted on Friday of breaching a 150m exclusion or “buffer” zone when she displayed the sign over two consecutive days in March 2023.

District Judge Orla Austin, sitting at Poole Magistrates’ Court, gave her a conditional discharge and ordered her to pay prosecution costs of £20,000 by May 31.

Afterwards, Dr Tossici-Bolt said: “This is a dark day for Great Britain. I was not protesting and did not harass or obstruct anyone. All I did was offer consensual conversation in a public place, as is my basic right, and yet the court found me guilty. 

“Freedom of expression is in a state of crisis in the UK. What has happened to this country? The US State Department was right to be concerned by this case as it has serious implications for the entire Western world.

“I remain committed to fighting for free speech, not only for my own sake but for all my fellow citizens. 

“If we allow this precedent of censorship to stand, nobody’s right to freely express themselves is secure.”

She added: “My conviction for offering consensual conversation has been very difficult, not only for me personally, but also because I care deeply about preserving freedom of expression in the UK. 

“I am encouraged to know that the United States Department of State is following my case closely. I am grateful, and hope this encourages this country to take a close look at what it means to convict someone for nothing more than offering conversation.” 

Dr Tossici-Bolt was prosecuted after she refused to pay a fixed penalty notice for holding up the sign.

She believed she had not breached the terms of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) because it banned acts of approval and disapproval of abortion in the vicinity of the clinic and she argued that she did neither.

She also argued that she had the right to offer consensual  conversations under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act, which protects freedom of expression.

Judge Austin ruled however that council officers had a reasonable belief that Dr Tossici-Bolt was in violation of the PSPO.

Judge Austin told the court that Dr Tossici-Bolt “lacks insight that her presence could have a detrimental effect on the women attending the clinic, their associates, staff and members of the public”.

The judge said: “I accept her beliefs were truly held beliefs. Although it’s accepted this defendant had pro-life views, it’s important to note this case is not about the rights and wrongs of abortion but about whether the defendant was in breach of the PSPO.”

Tossici-Bolt is considering whether to appeal against her conviction.

An earlier prosecution for so-called “thought crime”, involving Catholic war veteran Adam Smith-Connor’s case, prompted U.S. Vice President JD Vance to warn the Munich Security Conference in February that Europe was losing its basic freedoms. Mr Smith-Connor  will appeal  his conviction in a July hearing.

The U.S. State Department revealed last week that it was “monitoring” the Tossici-Bolt’s case, saying on X that “US-UK relations share a mutual respect for human rights and fundamental human freedoms”.

“However, as Vice-President Vance has said, we are concerned about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom. It is important that the UK respect and protect freedom of expression … We are monitoring the (Dr Tossici-Bolt) case.”

A source familiar with trade negotiations between the US and the UK later told a reporter from the Daily Telegraph newspaper there would be “no free trade without free speech”.

Robert Clarke, director of advocacy for ADF International, the group that is supporting both Dr Tossici-Bolt and Mr Smith O’Connor, said: “The United States Department of State put the UK on notice earlier this week when it highlighted Livia’s case. 

“We are grateful for the awareness this has generated regarding the egregious failure of justice that is her conviction for offering consensual conversation.

“The State Department has every reason to be disappointed by the verdict. Her conviction is a loss for everyone committed to the protection of fundamental freedoms.”

(Photo courtesy of Livia Tossici-Bolt | ADF International)