When Richmond Council became the second local authority to impose a “buffer zone” around an abortion clinic, it set aside £100,000 of taxpayers’ money in anticipation of a legal challenge to its decision.

That challenge came last week when Justyna Pacek, a Polish-born pro-life counsellor with the Good Counsel Network, filed a case against the council at the High Court.

She alleged that the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) enforced from April 1 to prevent alleged harassment of clients and staff of a British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) clinic in Twickenham was so broad that it prevented a range of charitable activities. They included, she said, counselling, prayer and the distribution of leaflets outlining the practical assistance available to women who do not want to abort but feel they have little choice.