.svg)
The US State Department should acknowledge that the UK is “a free country with liberal values,” according to Kemi Badenoch, following American concerns over the legal case against British anti-abortion campaigner Livia Tossici-Bolt.
The Conservative leader emphasized that laws establishing so-called “buffer zones” around abortion clinics were passed through a democratic process, stating, “We need to respect what Parliament votes for.”
This response comes after the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour (DRL), a division within the US State Department responsible for foreign policy, announced it was “monitoring” Tossici-Bolt’s case.
The 64-year-old activist stood trial at Poole Magistrates’ Court last month for allegedly violating a Public Spaces Protection Order on two occasions in March 2023. The court is set to deliver its verdict on Friday, April 4.
Tossici-Bolt was charged for displaying a sign outside a Bournemouth abortion clinic that read, “Here to talk, if you want.”
In an unusual statement over the weekend, the State Department expressed its concerns on X (formerly Twitter), saying:
“US-UK relations are built on mutual respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. However, as Vice President Vance has noted, we are concerned about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom.
“During a recent visit to the UK, DRL senior adviser Sam Samson met with Livia Tossici-Bolt, who is facing criminal charges for initiating conversation within a legally restricted ‘buffer zone’ at an abortion clinic.
“We are monitoring her case. It is crucial that the UK upholds and protects freedom of expression.”
When asked about Washington’s concerns during a press conference on Tuesday, Badenoch suggested that the US assessment was more of a “commentary rather than reality.”
She cautioned against importing American abortion law debates into the UK, stating, “We never had this before. We don’t need that. The State Department should recognize that this is a free country with liberal values. People in our country have freedom.”
Badenoch admitted that she personally found the buffer zone laws excessive when they were debated in Parliament but maintained, “At the end of the day, that’s what Parliament voted for, and we need to respect that.”
She also reaffirmed her commitment to protecting free speech while ensuring there are safeguards against overreach.
Meanwhile, Downing Street has dismissed speculation that free speech concerns will impact UK-US negotiations for an economic deal aimed at mitigating President Donald Trump’s global tariffs.
When asked if these laws would be part of discussions, the Prime Minister’s official spokesperson stated, “I’m not aware of that being an aspect, as the Business Secretary said this morning.”
He further emphasized the strength of the UK-US alliance, saying:
“The US is our closest ally. We engage with them on all aspects of our relationship, whether in security, defense, or broader issues concerning the US-UK special relationship.
“But in terms of trade talks, as the Business Secretary noted, there’s no indication that this is a topic under discussion.”
