A government minister has defended sharing a social media post which falsely claimed that a woman was arrested for praying.

It comes after Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, director of the anti-abortion charity UK March for Life, was arrested outside an abortion clinic in Birmingham for allegedly breaching an exclusion zone around the clinic.

Buffer zones are enforced around abortion clinics in England and Wales following a vote in Parliament in October.

The law prohibits harassing, obstructing or interfering with any women attending an abortion clinic.

Lewes MP Maria Caulfield, who voted against the zones, shared a post which included a video of Ms Vaughan-Spruce’s arrest on Twitter, where the anti-abortion activist is heard telling police that she “might be praying in my head”.

She was then arrested and later charged by police after breaking a public space protection order on four occasions.

In a post on Twitter, Ms Caulfield, under-secretary of state for women, said: “People told me I was exaggerating when I said Christians would be arrested on the streets of England with the buffer zone legislation.

“A Christian country at Christmas and police arresting some for saying a prayer”.

The post by Ms Caulfield has attracted criticism from Green councillor for Lewes District Council Emily O’Brien, who condemned the post as “justifying harassment of women”.

Ms O’Brien, who is also the Green Party’s candidate for Lewes for the next general election, said: “Disappointing to see our local MP has not withdrawn her widely criticised tweet which is untrue and justifying harassment of women.

“She is entitled to personal views on abortion but simply cannot be a government minister for women if she won’t leave those views at the door.”

Ms Caulfield, however, said that she stands by her comments and that they had “nothing to do with my views on abortion”.

She said: “I have received huge support from people who are frustrated that protesters can disrupt the lives of others going to work, hospitals or important appointments by repeatedly glueing themselves to the roads and get away with it but someone is arrested on the spot for allegedly praying.

“This is nothing to do with my views on abortion.

“Given religion is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act, I really do urge people to watch the video and ask themselves is this the society we want to become.”

Vaughan-Spruce has been bailed and will appear at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court in February.