Stephen Green

Christian preacher Stephen Green was prosecuted for holding a sign with a Bible verse in an abortion clinic ‘buffer zone’. He is fighting the draconian restrictions that criminalise sharing the Bible in certain places in the UK

What’s at stake?

  • In a country founded on Christian beliefs, no laws should censor and criminalise sharing a Bible verse in public.
  • Abortion censorship zones are wrong in principle, but this case goes further – Stephen’s intent was to protest the zones themselves for censoring the Bible.
  • Stephen’s freedom of speech (article 9 and 10 rights) were violated – his actions did not in any way stop or cause problems for anyone seeking to access abortion.

Support Stephen:

Stephen is receiving help from the Christian Legal Centre to take his case forwards.

We provide this support completely free of charge to Stephen and others like him.

Make a donation today to help this work continue.

Timeline:

  • 10 April 2018 – Ealing council creates a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) around the Marie Stopes abortion facility. The legislation prohibits any ‘act of disapproval’ of abortion within the ‘buffer zone’, which effectively criminalises praying and sharing Bible verses within the PSPO area.
  • 6 February 2023 – Stephen Green holds a sign outside the MSI Reproductive Choices clinic in West London, which quotes the Bible verse Psalm 139:13: “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.”
  • 5 August 2023 – Seven months after Stephen holds the sign outside the clinic, he receives a prosecution notice from Ealing Council. He says “To bar Christian witness and to control what people can say in an area is draconian and anti-Christian. There is a huge principle at stake here. If we are not free to hold a sign with a verse from Psalm 139 on it in a London street, then none of us is free.’’
  • 1 February 2024 – Stephen is convicted of breaching the PSPO as District Judge Kathryn Verghis says that although the PSPO was “a significant interference” of Stephen’s rights under articles 9 and 10 of the European Convention, those rights had to be weighed against individuals accessing abortion services. She says Stephen’s “protest was peaceful…but your actions were not proportionate….I find you guilty as summoned.” With the support of the Christian Legal Centre, Stephen appeals the verdict.
  • 29-30 October 2024 – Stephen’s appeal is heard in the Crown Court.
  • 28 November 2024 – Stephen loses his appeal as the Crown Court rules in support of his conviction for breaching the PSPO.
  • 7 March 2025 – With the ongoing support of the Christian Legal Centre Stephen launches a claim for judicial review of his case.
  • 5 January 2026 – Stephen is refused permission for a judicial review.
  • 6 January 2026 – The Christian Legal Centre helps Stephen Green renew his request for a judicial review.

Videos and media coverage

Support Stephen:

Stephen is receiving help from the Christian Legal Centre to take his case forwards.

We provide this support completely free of charge to Stephen and others like him.

Make a donation today to help this work continue.

 

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