Woman, 74, arrested under abortion protest law in Glasgow

A 74-year-old woman has become the first person to be arrested under a Scottish law establishing buffer zones outside abortion clinics.

The arrest was made close to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow in connection with breach of the exclusion zone.

Officers removed a sign from the area – which had been held by the woman who was arrested – that read “coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want”.

The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act came into force last year.

The legislation prevents any protests or vigils taking place within 200m (656ft) of 30 clinics offering abortion services in Scotland.

US Vice President JD Vance took aim at the bill last week, incorrectly claiming people who live within safe access zones had been sent letters by the Scottish government warning them about praying within their homes.

He was accused of “spreading misinformation” by Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay, who drew up the law.

The government said no letters had been sent out saying people couldn’t pray in their homes, and only “intentional or reckless behaviour” was covered by the act.

Police Scotland said it received a report of people protesting near the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital at about 14:00.

The force said officers remained at the scene and that inquiries were ongoing.

Mackay said: “The protests that have taken place outside Queen Elizabeth have been utterly shameful and I am grateful to Police Scotland for acting so quickly.

“This kind of intimidation has no place in a modern or progressive Scotland. Everybody deserves to have access to healthcare without harassment.”

Anti-abortion group 40 Days for Life has advertised a spring vigil near the hospital starting next month.

BBC Scotland News has asked the group to comment.

Mackay added: “I urge 40 Days For Life and anyone else who is planning to protest in a safe access zone to think again, as they will be stopped and there will be consequences.”

The abortion zones law aims to stop the harassment of patients.

Within the buffer zones, it is a criminal offence to behave in ways that could influence the decisions of women and staff to access services.

Stopping women and staff from entering the clinics or otherwise causing alarm, harassment or distress is also an offence.

Those who break the laws could be fined up to £10,000 or an unlimited amount in more serious cases.