Anti-abortion lies are ‘scary’
MSP blasts protesters’ leaflets and activities
There is a “scary” level of medical misinformation in anti-abortion leaflets, an MSP seeking to outlaw protests outside clinics has said.
Green MSP Gillian Mackay’s Member’s Bill would create a 200m buffer zone outside 30 hospitals and clinics in Scotland.
The legislation is backed by the Scottish Government, with the Bill also having cross-party support.
Holyrood’s Health Committee took evidence from Mackay and Public Health Minister Jenni Minto about the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill.
However, some MSPs were concerned over how silent prayers or vigils outside hospitals would be handled by the legislation.
Mackay discussed misleading medical information on antiabortion leaflets. She said: “The level of misinformation in some of these leaflets is quite scary.”
On the issue of silent prayer, she said police currently engage in dialogue with protesters and this would likely continue.
Police previously told the committee they would not ask people who are standing silently what they were praying about.
Mackay continued: “I accept many of the people who participate in anti-abortion activity outside hospitals do not believe their actions make it harder for women to access healthcare – that, in fact, they believe they help women.
“Without being too blunt, those beliefs do not change the reality that some women find their activities distressing and alarming.”
MSP Ivan McKee said he was “struggling to see” how silent prayers could be criminalised if there is no context to show they are connected to abortions.
The minister said she would write to the committee with further details.