Worcester’s MP voted against introducing buffer zones around abortion clinics in England and Wales.

This week, MPs were given a free vote on whether to introduce 150-metre areas around abortion clinics, inside of which it would be a criminal offence to interfere with anyone using the service.

A total of 297 MPs backed the plan, with 110 voting against it including Worcester MP Robin Walker.

Mr Walker expressed concerns over the wording of Clause 11 of the Public Order Bill, believing it to be a threat to freedom of speech.

“This amendment would prevent people from being able to provide information or express an opinion,” he said.

“I think that is going too far.

“People should be able to express an opinion, but they should not be able to intimidate.

“If the Government is to introduce buffer zones, we need to reach the right balance of protecting people’s rights to access the services and people’s rights to freedom of expression.”

Mr Walker’s concerns relate to two specific points of Clause 11.

Point 3(e) states that it would be an offence to “advise or persuade, attempt to advise or persuade, or otherwise express opinion” while 3(f) states that “informing or attempts to inform about abortion services by any means, including, without limitation, graphic, physical, verbal or written means”.

Both of these actions would become an offence if the bill were to become law.

Mr Walker added that he would be happy to support the bill if these points are removed.

His decision to vote against the bill has resulted in some backlash.

Labour councillor and 2019 parliamentary candidate Lynn Denham took to social media, labelling his decision a “vote against the protection of women's rights”.

To which, Mr Walker responded: “I disagree with that completely.

“I want to protect these rights. For instance, I voted to allow the government to commission abortion services in Northern Ireland.

“The fact that we have a regime in which women have the choice is absolutely the right thing and people need to be protected from intimidation.

“There is a balance to strike. People’s right to freedom of expression is very different from the right to intimidate.

“I accept that there has been some frankly appalling behaviour outside clinics, both in Northern Ireland and London, for example.

“But we shouldn’t be criminalising people for expressing an opinion.”