Clive Johnston

A retired pastor, Clive Johnston, was convicted under Northern Ireland's buffer zone law for preaching near a hospital and is appealing, arguing it violates free speech and religious liberty. The law prohibits influencing access to abortion facilities within 100 meters. His legal team claims the conviction infringes on human rights.

A 78-year-old retired pastor, Clive Johnston, was convicted and fined for preaching a gospel sermon near a hospital in Northern Ireland, sparking concerns about religious liberty and free speech. The conviction was made under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act, which prohibits influencing or harassing individuals within 100 meters of abortion facilities. Johnston was fined 450 pounds for reading a Bible verse, John 3:16, in a protected zone.

A 77-year-old retired pastor, Clive Johnston, is on trial in Northern Ireland for quoting a Bible verse near a hospital in a 'buffer zone' where abortions occur. Prosecutors claim his message might have 'influenced' individuals accessing abortion services, despite him not mentioning abortion. The case reflects broader European and UK trends of restricting public Christian expression, drawing criticism from the U.S. State Department as a violation of shared U.S.-U.K. values like free speech.

A retired UK pastor, Clive Johnston, faces criminal charges for preaching John 3:16 near a hospital under Northern Ireland’s 2023 abortion law. The U.S. State Department expressed concern, citing potential violations of free speech and religious liberty. A bodycam video shows police warning Johnston about preaching in a 'safe access zone' near Causeway Hospital.