WATCH: "Thought police still at it": Woman fined for praying in her head

British police have again been accused of acting like "thought police" after they again took action against a woman praying 'in her head' near an abortion clinic, despite recent assurances from Britain’s Home Secretary Suella Braverman that silent prayer near abortion providers is not a crime.

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, despite telling officers that she was not protesting, was told by police that she would be issued with a fixed penalty notice.

She told Gript that "the UK government urgently needs to clarify that silent thoughts can never be illegal – even if those thoughts are in disagreement with the views of the State."

"This is the third time I have been treated like a criminal for peacefully, silently, and imperceptibly praying for women who are likely facing one of the worst days of their lives."

"The buffer zone has already sought to prevent me and others from counselling women desperately in need of help," she said.

"And now, authorities are trying to remove my ability to pray, even silently, for these women. To fine somebody simply for their thoughts is grossly Orwellian and an insult to the freedoms that Britain is meant to protect."

A video obtained by Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) UK shows Ms Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, who had been standing silently in prayer, being asked questions by a police officer.

 "Are you here as a part of an organized protest?" the female officer asked of Ms Isabel Vaughan-Spruce outside an abortion facility in Birmingham last week on October 18th.

"No," Ms Vaughan-Spruce replied. The officer then asked if she was "here to pray for the lives of unborn children".

Ms Vaughan-Spruce was also asked if she is a member of a pro-life or a pro-choice group to which she responded that she is, but that she was not acting in that capacity.

The officer asks if Ms Vaughan-Spruce is aware of a Public Space Protection order in place, and the she responded that she believed she has "got a right to be here".
 

Many online commentators called on the British Home Secretary to intervene in the situation and to ensure that police officers were aware that she had written to every police force in the UK to say that “silent prayer, within itself, is not unlawful”.

"Thought police are still at it," wrote Dr Calum Miller, adding" If we can't have free speech, can we at least have thought?".