I am contacting you with the breaking news that this evening, the Scottish Parliament voted in favour of Gillian Mackay’s Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill 118 to 1 opposed, which will implement buffer zones near abortion facilities and criminalise pro-life vigils.

Despite repeated warnings from campaign groups such as SPUC, senior police officers and legal experts, MSPs have today decided to press on with this ideologically driven bill.

What does this mean?
 
Once this legislation is implemented, peaceful pro-life vigils near hospitals or abortion facilities will be outlawed, preventing women from being offered help outside clinics.
 
It will be an offence to pray, including silently, within the designated buffer zone.
 
Anyone taking part in a pro-life vigil in Scotland within a designated buffer zone would be subject to a fine of up to £10,000.

The legislation is deeply flawed. It seeks to police areas of our private lives, which the state has no right to interfere with, namely private thought and prayer.

By voting in favour of the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) bill, MSPs have trampled on at least four European Convention of Human Rights and have introduced thoughtcrime into Scottish society. 
 

Scotland has taken a colossal step backwards for civil liberties and has established itself as the most illiberal and anti-free speech nation in the Western world.

This is indeed a dark day in Scotland's history.

What happens next?
 

I would like to extend gratitude and thanks to all of our supporters who campaigned with SPUC to try and keep this draconian legislation out of Scotland.

SPUC will now be exploring every option available to remove the law from the statute books, including judicial review. We will ensure to keep you updated in due course.

This devasting situation in Scotland proves just how vital it is to value your vote, and elect pro-life representatives. With a General election fast approaching, SPUC has developed a parliamentary tool, which allows you to contact your parliamentary candidates and ask them how they intent to vote on abortion and assisted suicide.