The House of Commons has approved the UK’s first “thought crime” law after MPs rejected a move to protect silent prayer in public places.
In a free vote, MPs rejected an amendment to the Public Order Bill by 299 votes to 116, a large majority of 183, to protect private prayer and consensual conversations within any “censorship” zone.
Among those to support the amendment were Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Attorney General Victoria Prentis.
Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF UK, which has represented people who have been arrested for praying near abortion clinics, said the vote marked a “watershed moment for fundamental rights and freedoms in our country”.
