SNP MSP under fire for attending clinic anti-abortion protest

An SNP MSP is facing fierce criticism after he said abortion services are not “essential” – and admitted attending an anti-abortion protest outside a hospital.

Glasgow Shettleston’s John Mason admitted he attended a controversial anti-abortion protest outside a hospital clinic, insisting that some women are coerced into having an abortion and protests give women their last chance to “realise they have a choice”.

The admission came in an email to campaign group Back Off Scotland, which is calling for 150m “buffer zones” where protests would not be allowed, in response to recent demonstrations outside hospitals.

The 40 Days for Life antiabortion group have stood outside a number of hospitals in Scotland, with Mr Mason saying he “visited” one such event at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow.

A senior SNP source later distanced the party from Mr Mason’s comments, claiming his views are not those of the SNP.

In the email, Mr Mason said: “I have only visited one of these gatherings outside a hospital. It was at the QEUH in Glasgow and could not really be described as a protest. It was more like a vigil.

“They stood across a wide road from the hospital entrance and certainly did not approach anyone, harass anyone, or cause alarm or distress. Therefore, I am wondering which sites in Scotland have been causing a problem?”

He went on to say he considered abortion to be “seldom essential or vital”, adding: “Sadly some women are being coerced by a partner or family to have an abortion when they may not realise they have a choice, eg by having the baby and giving him/her up for adoption.”

Lucy Grieve, co-founder and director of Back Off Scotland, said: “It’s deeply disturbing to learn that an SNP MSP has participated in events attempting to hijack women’s lawful access to healthcare.

“The Scottish Government need to take ownership of this issue immediately, implement buffer zones nationally, and protect women who are accessing legal healthcare.”

An SNP spokesperson said: “Women accessing abortion services, just like any other health service, should be able to do so without fear of intimidation.”