Court rejects anti-abortion protestor’s challenge in Ealing

A legal challenge by an anti-abortion protestor has been rejected, ending a three-year case over a ‘safe zone’ outside an Ealing clinic. 

Stephen Green, 74, from Carmarthen in Wales, protested inside the safe zone at MSI Reproductive Choices on Mattock Lane in February 2023. The zone was established in 2018 following complaints from residents in 2018 about intimidation and distressing behaviour outside the health clinic. 

Green refused to pay a £100 fine and appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court in January 2024. He was convicted, given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £2,426 in costs. 

His appeal was dismissed in January 2025 and he was ordered to pay a further £7,536.50. He subsequently sought a judicial review, but on 12th February 2026 the High Court refused the application, stating there were ‘no arguable grounds for judicial review’ and ‘no realistic prospect of success’. 

Councillor Jasbir Anand, Ealing council’s cabinet member for tackling crime and antisocial behaviour, said: ‘We hope the High Court’s judgment puts an end to Mr Green’s continuous appeals and this long-running saga. We introduced the safe zone on Mattock Lane to protect women at an intensely personal and vulnerable moment in their lives. 

‘Every woman has the right to access lawful healthcare free from intimidation, harassment or distress.’

Louise McCudden, advocacy lead at MSI Reproductive Choices UK, said in 2025: ‘The local safe zone is very important for our clients and our frontline healthcare workers. The zone is there to make sure anyone who needs it can access confidential medical care without being harassed and intimidated by strangers.

‘Every day we are grateful that Ealing Council introduced this protection. At a time when we’re seeing global attempts to roll back reproductive rights, most notably in the United States, it could not be more important to stand up for women and girls.’

Image: Jasmine/UnSplash 

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