TfL Abortion Ad Ban: Decriminalisation Campaign Blocked
- Transport for London (TfL) has refused to run advertisements from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) that encourage people to contact their members of Parliament to vote for...
- Parliament is expected to vote on the decriminalization of abortion in England and Wales in the coming weeks.
- The BPAS advertisements,already approved by the Advertising Standards Authority,feature anonymized case studies of women who faced police investigations,and in some instances,prosecution following terminations or pregnancy loss.
TfL has banned British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) ads urging abortion decriminalization, citing concerns the campaign could discredit the police. This decision prevents BPAS from sharing anonymized case studies of women facing police investigations post-termination. The move comes as MPs prepare to vote on the decriminalization of abortion in England and Wales. BPAS argues the ads, already approved by the Advertising Standards Authority, accurately reflect women’s experiences and call for democratic action. The rejection, according to TfL, stems from the ads making negative references to the police. Heidi Stewart, BPAS chief executive, intends to appeal the TfL’s decision. News Directory 3 is following this story. Will BPAS succeed in challenging TfL’s ruling, or will it further silence voices at a crucial moment? Discover what’s next in this evolving legal landscape …
TfL Blocks ads Urging Abortion Decriminalization Vote
Updated May 31, 2025
Transport for London (TfL) has refused to run advertisements from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) that encourage people to contact their members of Parliament to vote for abortion decriminalization.TfL stated the ads could bring the police and City Hall into disrepute.
Parliament is expected to vote on the decriminalization of abortion in England and Wales in the coming weeks. Amendments to the criminal justice bill have been proposed to change the current law.
The BPAS advertisements,already approved by the Advertising Standards Authority,feature anonymized case studies of women who faced police investigations,and in some instances,prosecution following terminations or pregnancy loss. These ads have appeared on display boards across England and Wales.
BPAS, in a letter to TfL, asserted that the language used is not inflammatory, derogatory, or hateful. The association emphasized that the ads accurately represent the real experiences of women and include a clear call to democratic action.
Chris Reader, TfL’s head of commercial media, explained that the rejection stemmed from the advertisement making serious allegations against the police. He noted that the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (Mopac) oversees the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS),and the ad’s content could discredit mopac,given its regulatory responsibilities.
“At a pivotal moment for abortion law reform in this country, TfL regulations have silenced the voices of women who have been left utterly traumatized by our archaic legislation and by those enforcing it,” said Heidi Stewart, BPAS chief executive.
Stewart added that BPAS intends to appeal the decision, asserting that women deserve to have their stories heard and the public has a right to hear them. Tonia Antoniazzi, a labor MP supporting an amendment to change the law, expressed being “stunned” by TfL’s decision, calling it an attempt to silence women’s voices and evade accountability.
Antoniazzi’s amendment seeks to remove women from criminal law related to abortion in England and Wales. It has garnered support from charities, trade unions, and medical colleges, including the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
A separate amendment, proposed by Stella Creasy, another Labour MP, aims to fully decriminalize abortion and establish a legal right to access abortion services.
According to TfL, the proposed advertisement did not comply with its advertising policy as it made negative references about the police.
What’s next
BPAS plans to challenge TfL’s decision, potentially leading to further debate and scrutiny of advertising policies related to sensitive social issues. The upcoming parliamentary vote on abortion decriminalization will be a key moment for abortion law reform in England and Wales.