Scottish Catholic Observer

Fears are growing that the devolution of abortion regulation to the Scottish Parliament may lead to further liberalisation of the law.

Within days of the Scottish Secretary David Mundell saying that an amendment would be made to the Scotland Bill devolving abortion law to Holyrood, pro-abortion activists were pushing for change.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she welcomed the devolution of abortion but did not want to make any changes to the existing regulations. Green Party Co-leader Patrick Harvie has, however, laid down a motion at the Scottish Parliament that insists parliament ‘recognises the fundamental importance of women’s sexual and reproductive rights, and commits to defend those rights against any attempt to undermine women’s access to safe and legal abortion in Scotland.’ It was supported by MSPs John Finnie, Malcolm Chisholm, Alison Johnstone, Jean Urquhart, Dennis Robertson, Colin Keir, Rhoda Grant, Cara Hilton and Drew Smith.

A counter motion by SNP MSP John Mason called on Holyrood to ‘recognise what it considers the fundamental rights of babies to be protected both before and after birth as well as the importance of women’s sexual and reproductive rights, and commits to achieving a proper balance between these respective rights.’

“Without taking away from the rights of the woman, I’m saying the baby has rights as well,” Mr Mason said. “These need to be balanced up. Now obviously all of us will balance these up in different ways.

“I have to say my own view is that the 24-week limit has been in there for quite some considerable time. Science has moved on incredibly and they’re doing remarkable things like keeping babies alive at a very young age. So even people who support abortion as such have a question over the 24-week limit.”

Mr Mason’s intervention lead to online activists launching a barrage of social media abuse at Mr Mason with some SNP members calling for him to be thrown out of the party.

John Deighan, director of pro-life group SPUC Scotland, said ‘by and large the political classes at Holyrood and Westminster are very liberal on abortion.’

He added that SPUC would always push for pro- life causes, but their focus was likely to be on educating politicians.

Gordon Macdonald, parliamentary officer of Christian group CARE, another protection of life group with which the Church works, said he did not see ‘any prospect’ of the law changing to restrict abortion after the issue was devolved.

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—This story ran in full in the October 23 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.