Woman, 74, first in Scotland arrested under abortion protest law faces no further action
Police were called to respond to a group of protesters outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow at around 2pm on Wednesday, February 19.
A 74-year-old woman was arrested and charged in connection with a breach of the exclusion zone on Hardgate Road. Channel 4 A 74-year-old woman was arrested and charged in connection with breach of the exclusion zone on Hardgate Road
It was the first arrest and charge in Scotland under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act 2024.
However, on Thursday, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service confirmed no further action is to be taken.
A spokesperson said: 'The Procurator Fiscal received a report relating to a 75-year-old female and an incident said to have occurred on February 19, 2025.
'Professional prosecutors from COPFS considered the report. All Scotland's prosecutors operate independently of political influence.
'After careful consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case, including the available admissible evidence, it was decided that there should be no further action taken at this time. Getty Images US Vice President JD Vance.
'The Crown reserves the right to take proceedings in relation to this incident in the future.'
The legislation creating protected zones of 200 metres around abortion services came into force in September 2024.
The safe access zones, of buffer zones, stop anti-abortion protesters gathering, leafleting, holding vigils, or showing graphic images to people near the sites.
The Scottish Government said the law is designed to safeguard public health and protect the right of women to access healthcare without obstruction.
Those who break the law can be fined up to £10,000, or an unlimited amount if they go to trial before a judge and jury in more serious cases.
US Vice President JD Vance, who is holidaying in Scotland, has been critical of the law, accusing the Scottish Government of attacking free speech.
Gillian Mackay, who introduced the law in the Scottish Parliament, criticised said what Vance said was 'total nonsense and dangerous scaremongering'.
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