Abortion clinic protesters may want to ‘comfort’ people, claims minister

New women's minister Maria Caulfield defends earlier decision to vote against buffer zones outside clinics

The new minister for women has defended an earlier decision to vote against buffer zones outside abortion clinics, explaining she is concerned some people accused of harassment may be just trying to comfort" people using the healthcare services.

Maria Caulfield, who has also supported cutting the abortion time limit, was appointed as minister for women by the prime minister, Rishi Sunak.