Church of Scientology seeks HQ protest ban

Published October 9, 2024 By admin with Comments 0

The Church of Scientology has asked Mid Sussex District Council to impose an order stopping people from protesting outside its British headquarters in East Grinstead.

A request for a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) was submitted to the council in the hope of preventing protests such as the one held by ex-Scientologists last November outside the grounds in Saint Hill Road.

Scientology became a recognised religion in the UK in 2013.

The Church of Scientology said: “In cooperation with local officials, we have been working diligently to solve the problem of disruptive individuals periodically causing disturbances and endangering safety on Saint Hill Road in East Grinstead.”

Alexander Barnes-Ross, a spokesman for the ex-Scientologist group, said such an order would be a “direct threat to their freedom of speech and right to protest”.

Mr Barnes-Ross, who has become an outspoken critic of Scientology, added the aim of the PSPO was to “shut down and silence critics”.

Content retrieved from: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cyvy980qnlzo.