A controversial SNP MSP has been slammed by colleagues and opponents for welcoming the historic US Supreme Court decision that ended the constitutional right to abortion.
The pro-life politician John Mason suggested that the end of US-wide rights to abortion opened the possibility of Scotland diverging from the rest of the UK when it came to the 24-week limit on terminations.
His intervention comes just hours ahead of Nicola Sturgeon’s Scottish summit on access to abortion clinics.
Mason has already been condemned for saying that he does not see “any great need” for buffer zones around abortion clinics in Scotland.
Mason, who represents Glasgow Shettleston, is a committed Christian who has defended the anti-abortion “vigils” that have sprung up at Glasgow hospitals in a copy of protests seen at US abortion clinics.
Now, in an e mail response to an inquiry, Mason said he was “pretty positive” about the US court ruling which overturned the 50-year-old Roe vs Wade case that guaranteed abortion rights across America.
He linked the return to individual US states ruling on abortion instead of federal law to the devolution of powers over the abortion process to the Scottish parliament.
He said: “In the first place it is good for democracy as decisions on abortion will be made at state level rather than United States wide."
"This brings the US into line with the UK with decisions on abortion are made at a Scotland or England level or not a UK level.”
Mason added: “However, I fully accept that the key issues here is abortion itself. I note points people are making about women’s rights. However others would argue that from the point of conception, there are two people with the rights both the woman and the baby. So I very much see my role as speaking out for the weaker party, namely the baby.”
The statement brought a stinging reaction from the Scottish Government Minister for Women's Health, Maree Todd MSP, to emphasise any suggest to change the law on abortion here is a non-starter.
She tweeted: “For the avoidance of doubt: There is nothing positive about the recent US court ruling. Abortion has been legal in Scotland for over 50 years."
"There will be no change to that. Abortion is legal up to 24 weeks in Scotland. There will be no change to that.”
Scottish Labour Women’s Health spokesperson, Carol Mochan, said: “It is sickening to see an SNP MSP gloating as millions of women losing access to vital healthcare.
“The SNP claim to stand up for women, but they look the other way every time John Mason launches another vile attack on human rights.
“Time and time again Mason reels off inflammatory, misleading and downright dangerous views without repercussions. "
“It is becoming more and more difficult for SNP politicians to justify sharing a party with him. It is time for the SNP to decide whether they care more about protect women’s rights or protecting their own party.”
Mason was approached to elaborate on his views on the Supreme Court ruling and responded: “I have said a fair bit on this already, I am not sure I have anything new to say on it.”
His comments create an embarrassing backdrop to the Abortion Care in Scotland summit which First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced in response to growing concerns over the rise in anti-abortion protests outside hospitals and clinics in Scotland.
Monday’s summit will include speeches from Sturgeon and Minister Maree Todd and NHS representatives.
Other speakers include Green MSP Gillian Mackay, who has brought forward a member’s bill to Holyrood on implementing buffer zones.
Ahead of the summit, Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole Hamilton restated calls for government action on the issue.
He said: “I am categorical about what must be achieved at this summit. The Government should commit to delivering buffer zones in government time and at pace so that women can access treatment without fear of intimidation or harassment.”
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