Anti-abortion protest summit expected before the end of June
Women's Health Minister Maree Todd has revealed on a visit to a sexual health clinic that a promised summit into anti-abortion protests will take place before the end of next month
A summit, chaired by the First Minister, into anti-abortion protests is intended to take place before the end of June.
That's what Women's Health Minister Maree Todd has revealed today, whilst visiting both Sandyford Clinic and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
Both medical facilities have had rallies take place in front of their premises.
Staff at clinics like these, and others around the country, say the protests intimidate both them and their patients.
Many, including Green MSP Gillian MacKay and Labour's Monica Lennon have called for 'buffer zones' to be introduced - as have groups such as 'Back off Scotland'.
MacKay launched a consultation into her members bill on the matter recently.
Buffer zones would ban protesters from demonstrating within a certain radius of any hospital or clinic.
“Women must have the right to access abortion without fear or intimidation. And it goes without saying that the same goes for healthcare staff doing their job." Said Todd.
"I spoke to staff at Sandyford clinic in Glasgow who have had to work in the shadow of two recent protests and heard from them and also staff at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital about the damaging impact it can have.
"We’ve said repeatedly that the place to protest is at Parliament where the legislation is made, not where people are receiving health care.
“We strongly support the introduction of buffer zones, welcome Gillian Mackay MSP’s Bill consultation and will continue to explore how the Scottish Parliament can legislate in a way that is effective and capable of withstanding legal challenge.
“Alongside this, the Scottish Government continues to work to make arrangements for a First Minister convened summit at the end of June to discuss abortion rights issues."