Church of Scientology asks Mid Sussex District Council to impose order stopping people from protesting outside HQ

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 on Saint Hill Road.

But Alexander Barnes-Ross, a spokesman for the 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 that the aim of the PSPO was to ‘shut down and silence critics’.

He said: “If they are successful, the PSPO would ban protesting outside Scientology’s headquarters, which means this could very well be the last time we are allowed to voice our concerns in public.”

Scientology became a recognised religion in the UK in 2013.

The PSPO was on the agenda at a recent district council scrutiny committee meeting.

Members were told that the council had to balance the protected legal rights of the two groups – the right of assembly and expression for the protesters, and the right to freedom of religion for those attending the church.

The committee agreed that the issue should be consulted on by the cabinet and a decision made on whether to impose a PSPO.

No such order will be in place in time for this year’s International Association of Scientology event, starting on October 25.

Instead, the council and Sussex Police will observe the coming event, collecting and sharing evidence.

A report to the committee said: “If a PSPO is considered potentially necessary and proportionate after the evidence gathering exercise, [the council] will carry out full public consultation.”