Sarwar backs calls for Mason to be reprimanded
Anas Sarwar has supported calls for the SNP to discipline an MSP after comments he made on abortion care.
In an exclusive interview with The Scotsman, the Scottish Labour leader also said he would be “open to discussions” aroundintroducingemergency legislation to implement antiabortion protest buffer zones around clinics.
His comments come with Scotland having recently seen a rise in anti-abortion protests, including outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the Sandyford clinic in Glasgow.
On Friday, Mr Sarwar backed callsfrommonicalennonmsp, who previously urged the SNP toreprimandjohnmasonafter he suggested NHS staff do not seek “informed consent” during abortion care.
The SNP MSP sparked outrage by claiming clinics “push abortionwithoutlayingoutthe pros and cons” as he defended anti-abortion protests, saying they“donotlookverythreatening to me”.
Speaking to The Scotsman in Hamilton, Mr Sarwar said: “What John Mason sought to do is provide deliberate misinformation that puts pressure onindividualwomenacrossthe country and it’s frankly shocking and unacceptable.
"Whatever your views on abortion, if you want to protest about political decisions or the laws in this country, the place to have those protests is outside Parliamentwheredecisionsare made,notoutsideplaceswhere placesaregettingmedicaltreatment – that’s frankly horrific.”
Mr Sarwar called on the Scottish Government to “not waste a single day” and implement bufferzonesacrossthecountry, which he said had cross-party and public support.
Hesaidthegovernmentmust do so, “so nobody has to see this intimidation or these acts outside places offering medical treatment”.
On Friday, Gillian Mackay launchedherprivatemember’s Bill in a bid to implement the 150m buffer zones on a national level.
People will be able to fill out a form on what they think of the Bill via the Scottish Parliament website or at bufferzones.scot.
The Labour leader welcomed the Bill, but added: “It shouldn't take a member’s Bill to get implemented.”
Asked whether he would support emergency legislation being passed, Mr Sarwar said he would “be open to discussions” on this.
He said: “Let’s not wait months or even years to get this implemented across the country.
"There is widespread public
support for it right now, there is cross-party support for it right now and women are being impacted by this right now.”
Mr Sarwar said people should be able to protest in places such as outside Parliament, but stressed women should not be impacted by “fear or difficulty” when accessing healthcare.
Campaign group Back Off Scotland welcomed the Labour leader’s comments.
Lucy Grieve, co-founder of the group, said: “In lieu of Gillian Mackay MSP’S Member’s Bill or governmental action, we also need to explore stopgap measures.”
The First Minister described Mr Mason’s comments as “wrong” after she backed calls to “protect women from harassment”.