Resign over abortion demo delay, minister

Pro-choice campaigner blasts Todd over protest outside hospital's maternity ward

- JON BRADY

WOMEN'S minister Maree Todd is facing calls to quit over claims she failed to stop an anti-abortion demo outside a maternity ward.

Protest group 40 Days For Life gathered near the baby unit at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital on Sunday.

About 100 demonstrators wore hi-vis gear and held placards yards from the site.

One pro-choice campaigner said Todd, minister for public health, women's health and sport, “needs to resign” for failing to prevent the protest taking place so close to the health hub.

And Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy, who has called for buffer zones to restrict antiabortion protests near medical institutions, said it was “completely unacceptable” that demos continue on hospital doorsteps.

She said: “The buck stops with Maree Todd and the Scottish Government.

"Women shouldn't be treated like this as they go through what could be one of the hardest points of their lives and make a decision that no doubt will have been difficult.

"The Scottish Government needs to step up, stop looking away and putting their fingers in their ears, and do something about it.