Scotland – Abortion buffer zone legislation not enforceable when clinics closed, police say

Monday 28 April 2025

Abortion buffer zones cannot be enforced when clinics are closed, police have said in an email seen by the PA news agency.

The legislation – which started as a member’s Bill proposed by Green MSP Gillian Mackay – enforced 200-metre exclusion zones around 30 sites in Scotland in an attempt to limit protests held outside of clinics.

But in an email between a police inspector in Glasgow and an MSP – passed to PA by a third party – the officer says legal advice from Police Scotland lawyers and the Crown Office concluded the legislation cannot be enforced when clinics are not operating.

Continued: https://www.itv.com/news/2025-04-27/abortion-buffer-zone-legislation-not-enforceable-when-clinics-closed-police-say

28.04.2025

Scottish Family Party

More than 100 anti-abortion protesters target Glasgow hospital

Apr 14, 2025
By Gemma Clark

MORE than 100 anti-abortion protesters gathered near Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital on Sunday evening. The event was part of the Texas-based group 40 Days for Life’s efforts to "pray to end abortion" around the world.

… Sunday's protest demonstrates just how close anti-abortion activists can still get to hospitals, and serves as a reminder of how modest the original buffer zone proposals were.

Continued: https://www.thenational.scot/news/25088171.100-anti-abortion-protesters-target-glasgow-hospital/

14.04.2025

Queen Elizabeth University hospital

safe access zones

Scottish Family Party

Scotland – Police decline to intervene as anti-abortion group ignores buffer zone

March 23, 2025
By Xander Elliards

POLICE did not respond after being called to a fringe group of anti-abortion protesters who were breaching Scotland’s buffer zone regulations.

The Scottish Family Party – who, as well as wanting to see abortion rights rolled back, oppose same-sex marriage, sperm and egg donation, and the clause banning harassment in the Equality Act – held a small-scale protest outside the public entrance to the Chalmers Centre in Edinburgh on Saturday evening.

Continued: https://www.thenational.scot/news/25030333.police-decline-intervene-anti-abortion-group-ignores-buffer-zone/