Plans launched to establish abortion clinic ‘buffer zones’

FORMAL plans have been launched to introduce ‘buffer zones’ around abortion clinics.

Green MSP Gillian Mackay yesterday opened a consultation on her bill, which would see 150-metre zones in place around healthcare facilities providing abortion services.

It comes as protests have ramped up in Scotland in recent weeks, with campaigners at the Sandyford Clinic in Glasgow on May 11 holding signs that read: ‘Abortion is murder.’

Back Off Scotland, which supports buffer zones, said staff inside the clinic could not consult patients on the side of the building nearest the protest.

Central Scotland MSP Miss Mackay said: ‘Abortion is healthcare and people have an absolute right to access healthcare without intimidation or harassment.

‘It’s essential that we make sure [the legislation] comes forward quickly to make sure that people are not for years experiencing these protests.’

Pro-choice campaigners have criticised the Scottish Government’s ‘inaction’ over such zones. The consultation will last 12 weeks and can be accessed online at bufferzones.scot.