In parliament earlier this month, Bournemouth East MP Tom Hayes spoke about the fears staff have at BPAS Bournemouth.
In parliament, he said: “I have spoken with the people who work at that clinic since that speech was given, and they are scared.
“They want to support women’s reproductive rights and women’s health and safety, but staff members’ vehicles are being tampered with, and women seeking the clinic’s support are finding their access impeded.”
MP Tom Hayes (Image: MP Tom Hayes) He commented on the speech made by US vice president JD Vance and later added that his job is to ‘stand up’ for his constituents and that he’s “not going to let anyone take a swing” at the people he’s ‘honoured to represent’.
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Mr Hayes said: “I was horrified to hear of the incidents with BPAS Bournemouth and I’ve taken safety issues up for staff there.
“When people are trying to care for women in their greatest need, they deserve to be supported.”
READ MORE: Clinic staff told ‘I hope you die of cancer, you’re murderers’
Mr Hayes added that he’s engaged with Dorset Police, BCP Council and the home secretary, asking for ‘greater’ protections in the area, with some examples being CCTV-covered staff parking, a visible presence at the clinic and thorough investigations when criminal acts are committed.
Despite advocating for the safety of the clinic staff, My Hayes added that people still have a right to protest and that’s why buffer zones are so important.
He said: “I strongly believe in a person’s right to protest. Indeed, that’s why we have buffer zones- to protect that right while making sure women get healthcare without intimidation.
“Staff members have experienced their tyres being deflated because someone has put nails on the road. That is absolutely disgraceful.”
Additionally, Mr Hayes stated that he was a signatory to New Clause 1, which removes the risk of prosecution for women.
He said: “New Clause 1 makes it clear that, ‘no offence is committed by a woman acting in relation to her own pregnancy’.
“Women in this country have faced police investigations and court hearings after miscarriages and stillbirths.
“This change brings clarity and compassion to our law and reassures women in Bournemouth that they won’t be treated as a criminal.
The BPAS Clinic in Bournemouth has been contacted for a comment but are yet to reply at the time of publication.