Who is Livia Tossici-Bolt: The pro-lifer whose protest attracted interest from the state department

A woman who gained headlines for her lone protests outside a Bournemouth abortion clinic has now become central in a debate about free speech that Donald Trump’s administration has commented on.

Anti-abortion campaigner Livia Tossici-Bolt was on trial at Poole magistrates’ court last month accused of breaching a public spaces protection order (PSPO) on two days in March 2023.

It is alleged the 64-year-old breached a “buffer zone” of sensitivity. She was holding a sign stating: “Here to talk if you want”.

A verdict set to be given on Friday.

Read also: US should recognise UK is a free country, Badenoch says, amid free speech row

What could have been a run of the mill PSPO case has now attracted worldwide significance. On Tuesday Ms Tossici-Bolt said she is “grateful” after the US state department expressed concern over the case.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has also now weighed in, saying: “The US state department should recognise that the UK is a free country with liberal values.”

Here is how it has all played out.

Livia Tossici-Bolt has campaigned near Parliament (PA Media)

Who is Livia Tossici-Bolt?

Dr Livia Tossici-Bolt is a retired medical scientist living in Bournemouth who has campaigned against abortion.

On two days in March 2023 she was accused of breaching a buffer zone outside a Bournemouth abortion clinic, holding a sign reading: “Here to talk, if you want”.

She on trial at Poole magistrates’ court last month accused of breaching the PSPO, which she denies, and is now awaiting the outcome of her trial.

[1/2] U.S.-UK relations share a mutual respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. However, as Vice President Vance has said, we are concerned about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom.

— State Dept: Democracy, Human Rights, & Labor (DRL) (@StateDRL) March 30, 2025

Her case was noticed by the US state department, which raised concerns about “freedom of expression in the United Kingdom”.

The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, & Labour (DRL), a bureau within the US Department of State, tweeted: "US-UK relations share a mutual respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

However, as Vice President JD Vance has said, we are concerned about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom.

"While recently in the UK, DRL senior adviser Sam Samson met with Livia Tossici-Bolt, who faces criminal charges for offering conversation within a legally prohibited 'buffer zone' at an abortion clinic.

"We are monitoring her case. It is important that the UK respect and protect freedom of expression."

While Donald Trump has not personally commented, it does show a rise in tensions between his administration and British politicians over the issue of free speech.

Ms Tossici-Bolt’s case follows that of another anti-abortion activist, Adam Smith-Connor, who was prosecuted, for his actions outside the same clinic.

JD Vance has raised concerns about potential threats to the “basic liberties of religious Britons” (Getty Images)

Mr Vance said that “basic liberties of religious Britons, in particular” are under threat.

Dr Tossici-Bolt has said she is grateful to the US state department for taking note.

“Great Britain is supposed to be a free country, yet I’ve been dragged through court merely for offering consensual conversation. I’m thankful to ADF International for supporting my legal defence.

“Peaceful expression is a fundamental right – no one should be criminalised for harmless offers to converse.”

She added: “It is tragic to see that the increase of censorship in this country has made the US feel it has to remind us of our shared values and basic civil liberties. I'm grateful to the US administration for prioritising the preservation and promotion of freedom of expression and for engaging in robust diplomacy to that end.

“It deeply saddens me that the UK is seen as an international embarrassment when it comes to free speech.

“My case, involving only a mere invitation to speak, is but one example of the extreme and undeniable state of censorship in Great Britain today.

“It is important that the government actually does respect freedom of expression, as it claims to.”

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch says the UK is in a “good place” with regard to freedom of speech (PA Wire)

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said the UK should not be “persecuting people for expressing themselves” but that “on balance, we are in a good place in our country”.

“We do have freedom of expression but it is at risk in some places if we’re not paying attention,” she told LBC.

Downing Street would not comment on the case but in relation to measures announced under the last government the prime minister’s official spokesman said: “The Government’s clear that it’s vital that a woman who decides to use abortion services has the right to choose to do so without being subject to harassment or distress, and that’s why the previous government announced rules around that.”