No arrests made under buffer zone legislation amid JD Vance claims
The news comes amid false claims from US vice president JD Vance that Scots who pray in their homes could be prosecuted after the recent introduction of buffer zones around Scottish abortion clinics.
The buffer zone legislation passed the Scottish Parliament in a historic moment last year, and sees anti-abortion protests within 200m of abortion service providers banned.
READ MORE: Buffer zone campaigners warn of Trump's impact on Scotland's abortion rights
The law does not prohibit anyone from praying within their own homes, as Vance has claimed.
The claim has been debunked by Scottish abortion rights campaigners, with Lucy Grieve, co-founder of Back Off Scotland who launched the campaign to introduce no-protest zones outside of healthcare clinics, dubbing Vance's comments as "frightening" and "unbelievable".
Gillian Mackay (Image: PA) Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland's Drivetime show on Friday, Gillian Mackay MSP – who spearheaded the bill in Holyrood – described Vance's "misrepresentation of the law" as "wild".
On @BBCRadioScot discussing the shameless misinformation Vice President Vance is spreading about Safe Access Zones in Scotland. Every day I will stand with the millions of people across the US who oppose the misogynistic and anti-choice agenda of @realDonaldTrump and @JDVance🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Hh74Hpgk6e
— Gillian Mackay MSP (@GillianMacMSP) February 15, 2025
Reflecting on Vance's claims, Mackay said: "I never expected it but I don't think many people around the world would be particularly surprised given the misogynistic and anti-choice regime that is currently within the White House."
Mackay claimed there had been one breach of a buffer zone since the legislation took effect, referring to an incident which took place the day the zones came into force on September 23, 2024.
READ MORE: Scotland's abortion clinic buffer zones come into law – here's how it works
She added: "[This] means that hundreds of people who previously may have been intimidated or harassed going into appointments aren't anymore.
"There are far more people in Scotland who are pleased about that than will take any notice of JD Vance."
The National understands that no arrests have been made under the buffer zones legislation.
Police Scotland confirmed that on September 24 last year – the day the law came into effect – police were made aware of a small group of protesters at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
They added that officers attended and gave advice before the group left.
JD Vance Meanwhile, the Scottish Government said Vance's claim was "incorrect" and that people continue to have the right to protest and to free speech.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Vice President's claim is incorrect. Private prayer at home is not prohibited within Safe Access Zones and no letter has ever suggested it was.
'Safe Access Zones are designed to safeguard a woman's right to access healthcare and protect their right to dignity and respect when they need it most.
'People continue to have the right to protest and to free speech, however, no one has the right to harass women, or to try to influence without consent their decision to access healthcare, or to impede their access to it in any way.
'The Act, passed overwhelmingly by Parliament, has been carefully drafted to capture only intentional or reckless behaviour close to a small number of premises providing abortion services. It does not – and has never been intended to – criminalise any particular action, including silent prayer.'
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