The growing trend of harassment against women attending abortion clinics is worrying and dangerous. Last year, religious activists were seen filming patients, with the two men targeting the Sandyford in Glasgow twice in the same month.
They held horrific signs and chanted through a loudspeaker system, all to intimidate those who attend the clinic. Last week, the Texas-based religious group 40 Days for Life held a vigil outside Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
And now the Scottish Family Party is planning to brick up the entrance to Sandyford. This extremist group may not have widespread popular support but its threats are alarming.
It clearly wants to abuse women and has no thoughts about their well-being. These inflammatory plans have no place in a progressive Scotland. It is important those behind the attack face the full force of the law.
Hopefully this will deter other extremists from doing the same. This case also emphasises how buffer zones are urgently required.
Protesters should not be allowed within 100m of any abortion clinic. There is no reason to be close to the facilities other than an attempt at coercion.
And bringing in buffer zones would help protect those using the services from abuse. As Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay put it, they are necessary “to ensure that everyone can access reproductive healthcare without fear of obstruction”.
Women should be able to attend clinics without intimidation. And those working there should be able to do their job in peace.
They need to be defended from harassment, so it is vital the Bill becomes law as soon as possible.
Lady of luxury
Tory peer Lady Mone wasn’t happy when she was confronted at a luxury villa in Portugal by our reporter. She is currently at the centre of a police probe over a £200million PPE deal.
The bra tycoon, known as Michelle Mone before being elevated to the Lords by former PM David Cameron, is also facing a Westminster investigation into her role in winning lucrative PPE contracts. But that hasn’t stopped her enjoying life at the £7million beachside property with her husband Doug Barrowman.
She called our reporter an “a***h***” and continued to deny any wrongdoing. To Scots facing a cost-of-living crisis, Mone is living a life of privilege few could dream of.
The Tory Party must be wishing they’d never put her in the Lords to represent them. This is a bad look for a party that claims to be on the side of ordinary voters.
But as always with the Tories, scratch the surface and they really only care about themselves.
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