Calls for "emergency summit" over anti-abortion protests
MSP Monica Lennon is calling for emergency discussions in Holyrood over anti-abortion protests
A Central Scotland MSP is calling for a Holyrood "emergency summit" over anti-abortion protests outside of medical clinics.
Labour's Monica Lennon believes the demonstrations are growing in size, and says a lack of action from the Scottish Government is only making it worse.
Protestors have gathered regularly across Scotland, especially at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital - where yesterday (May 3rd) Lennon confronted a group.
There have been pleas for the Scottish Government to implement buffer zones. This would essentially ban demonstrations from setting up close to clinics.
"The anti abortion protesters at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital are having a really negative impact on women." Lennon told MFR .
"And I think it's important that they are confronted with that reality.
"I respect their right to protests and to be opposed to abortion, but they should not have the rights to target healthcare facilities."
Continuing to address the Scottish Government's perceived lack of action, Lennon told us:
"I do fear that the protesters are emboldened, the protests are getting bigger, they're becoming more frequent.
"And the fact that Scottish Government are saying it's complex, we can't bring in the buffer zones yet, I think that's given the protestors a sense of purpose."
On what's needed next Lennon said:
"I believe that the Women's Health Minister Maree Todd's got a letter from almost 80 clinicians at the Queen Elizabeth. She hasn't even responded.
"This is really serious. We need urgent action from Scottish Government and we need it now.
"So what needs to happen now is that an emergency summit should be called, led by the Scottish Government but get other MSPs around the table. Let's hear from patients and women directly affected. Let's hear from doctors."