Gillian Mackay

Gillian Mackay MSP

Gillian Mackay launches bid to become co-leader of the Scottish Greens

Members of 40 Days for Life, which campaigns against abortion, take part in a "prayer vigil" outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow

Why are anti-abortion protests still happening in buffer zones?

Activists from the American-based anti-abortion group 40 Days For Life outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

Explainer What is the law on buffer zones in Scotland and are protests allowed?

Scottish Family Party hold anti-abortion protest within buffer zone

Ineos anounced the closure of the ethanol plant in Grangemouth last September. Pic: Michael Gillen

SNP 'teeing up' investors to fund a green future for Grangemouth

The BBC hopes to broadcast Scottish football matches

BBC Scotland would love to make Scotland football matches free-to-air

The Grangemouth oil refinery is to close with the loss of hundreds of jobs as the UK Government strives to achieve its net-zero goals (Picture: Jane Barlow)

Exclusive Petroineos poised for tax breaks despite refinery closure

Buffer zones would see anti-abortion protests moved further away from health clinics and hospitals. Picture: John Devlin

Holyrood passes ‘seismic’ legislation to bring in abortion buffer zones

Lothian Conservative MSP Jeremy Balfour expressed concerns over the proposed abortion buffer zone law

Tory fears buffer zone law could see him banned from silent prayer at bus stop

First Minister John Swinney and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes at the first meeting of their Scottish cabinet.

Swinney pledge to 'dedicate every fibre' to driving economic growth

SNP leader-in-waiting John Swinney. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Swinney urged to refuse to work with Scottish Greens when he becomes SNP leader

Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay. Photo: Jane Barlow/Press Association.

New first minister must recommit to progressive policies, say Greens

Buffer zones would see anti-abortion protests moved further away from health clinics and hospitals. Picture: John Devlin

MSPS overwhelmingly back new Bill to create buffer zones at abortion clinics

The Scottish Greens have been removed from Humza Yousaf's government (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Which Green policy priorities could now be ripped up?

Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay. Photo: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Green MSP bursts into tears on BBC radio at Yousaf ending Bute House agreement

Green Party co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater have been removed from the Scottish Government (Picture: Lesley Martin/PA Wire)

Why the Greens will not be nice about lending support to the SNP anymore

An anti-abortion protest takes place near the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. Photo: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Holyrood committee backs ‘necessary’ abortion buffer zones bill at stage one

SNP MSP John Mason looks on at First Minister Humza Yousaf as the campaign at the Lord Roberts Monument in Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow. Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Humza Yousaf shuts down SNP backbencher for defending anti-choice protestors

Professor Sharon Cameron, a consultant in sexual and reproductive health at Edinburgh’s Chalmers Centre, said patients feeling “intimidated” by anti-abortion protesters outside the healthcare clinic.

Concerns non-sexual health services are being impacted by anti-abortion protests

Keeping Grangemouth oil refinery in public ownership could make for a smoother just transition, says reader (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Readers' Letters: Let's take Grangemouth processing plant for Scotland

Workers picket during a past strike at the Grangemouth oil refinery. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Acorn Project's future in doubt if Grangemouth refinery shuts, academic warns

The Petroineos oil refinery at Grangemouth is the second biggest climate polluter in Scotland, responsible for more than one million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2022. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Oil refinery closure is bad for workers and the economy – is there an upside?

People who vape should choose reusable devices over disposable ones (Picture: Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images)

Disposable vapes are one of the most wasteful things you can buy. Time for a ban

Members of the 40 Days For Life group hold a vigil as women head for appointments.

Buffer zones Scotland: New law to restrict anti-choice protests explained

Members of the 40 Days For Life group hold a vigil as women head for appointments.

Scotland abortion protests: Christian group accused of harassment

Zero Waste Scotland estimates that up to 26 million disposable vapes were consumed and thrown away in Scotland in the last year

Scotland to explore ban on disposable vapes

Fans could face travel restrictions under the proposals.

SNP, Labour and Greens condemn new proposals for travelling football fans

Scottish Green Party MSP Gillian Mackay has proposed a Bill to introduce safe access zones around healthcare settings that provide abortion services (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Readers' Letters: Abortion is not a healthcare issue

A woman protests against anti-abortion group March for Life's demo in London last September. PIC: Thomas Krych/SOPA Images/Shutterstock.

Abortion is on the rise in Scotland and women need healthcare, not moral outrage

The proposals would see protests banned within 150 metres of abortion clinics. Image: John Devlin.

Scottish Government supports proposals to ban protests outside abortion clinics

High levels of lead exposure in children can affect the central nervous system and brain development, according to the World Health Organization.

Calls for ban on vaping products in supermarkets following lead findings

Last week, the First Minister said the Scottish Government’s expert group is currently considering a ban on the smoking alternative

Vaping ban: Proposed ban on alternative smoking products backed by charity

Buffer zones would see anti-abortion protests moved further away from health clinics and hospitals. Picture: John Devlin

Ambitions to introduce no-protest zones around abortion clinics before summer

Protesters pictured at the start of the '40 Days for Life' campaign in late February, outside the QEUH in Glasgow.

Government criticised as it scraps abortion buffer zones working group

22/02/2023. Glasgow. Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Dr Greg Irwin, in front of the vigil. 40 Days For Life start "Lent Vigil" Outside Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow Patients face 40 days and nights "prayer vigil" outside a Glasgow hospital as anti abortion group arrive for the duration of Lent. 40 Days For Life, potentially face a buffer zone ban around hospitals and clinics if a bill is passed in the Scottish parliament. Pro-choice campaigners have hit out against the “intimidation” and “harassment” women seeking to access abortions in Glasgow are set to face over the next month. Today, Wednesday, a consultant paediatric radiologist urged the anti-abortion protesters to move along from the hospital. Dr Greg Irwin, who has been a vocal advocate for buffer zones, said: “We have got protesters outside the hospital for the next 40 days, all through Lent, 12 hours a day, causing harassment and intimidation of women seeking abortion healthcare. "It is an incredibly unkind, unfriendly thing to be doing. The doctor stated that the group can have a “prayer vigil anywhere they like” but criticised the group for staging the campaign as the “gates of the hospital”.

Campaigners condemn 'complete lack of progress’ on buffer zones

Protesters pictured at the start of the '40 Days for Life' campaign in late February, outside the QEUH in Glasgow.

Healthcare workers "referred to as murderers" while awaiting buffer zones

Dr Greg Irwin, in front of the vigil.

Watch: Furious doctor slams abortion vigil outside Glasgow hospital

Ministers will give “consideration” to a potential ban on disposable vape devices in Scotland, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has said.

Ministers to consider banning disposable vapes

Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, speaks at the annual Conservative Party conference in October. Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images

Green MSP accuses Tories and Ross of ‘misogynistic behaviour’ in Holyrood

Sweet-tasting vapes could be banned to protect the health of children and young people under plans to be brought forward by the Scottish Greens in the new year. Picture: Getty Images

Call for ‘sweetshop’ vapes to be hidden amid child health concerns

Gillian Mackay, Green MSP. Pic: Michael Gillen.

MSP commits to implementing anti-abortion buffer zones 'as soon as possible'

NHS Grampian has said it does not want the automatic provision of buffer zones across its facilities (Photo: John Devlin).

Health board in Scotland does not want automatic provision of buffer zones

A health board in Scotland has rejected the automatic provision of buffer zones across its facilities as it fears attention will be drawn through the implementa...

A consultation on introducing buffer zones around abortion clinics has closed after receiving more than 12,000 responses.

Consultation on abortion clinic buffer zones receives 12,000 responses

40 Days For Life hold a Prayer Vigil outside Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. Picture: John Devlin/National World

Abortion clinic buffer zones backed by huge majority of Scots, poll finds

Nicola Sturgeon will host a summit on abortion care in Edinburgh today

Sturgeon: 'I'm confident we can find a way forward on buffer zones'

Campaigners call for women's experiences to be prioritised during a summit on abortion care after the Roe V Wade decision is announced (Photo: PA).

Calls for women’s experiences to be included at abortion summit as agenda leaked

Gillian Mackay MSP paused and asked her party's press officer, 'do I have to?' when asked about cuts to ScotRail's train services

MSPs should not display a sulky teenager’s attitude to democratic scrutiny

The Green MSP Gillian Mackay has launched her private member’s bill to implement anti-abortion buffer zones outside hospitals and clinics across Scotland to “protect women from harassment”.

Anti-abortion protest buffer zones bill launches

Denise Christie, a firefighter and member of the Fire Brigades Union, said reproductive rights are a trade union issue.

Abortion rights campaigners gather at US consulate in Edinburgh

Around 100 people attended the rally. Picture: Elsa Maishman

Abortion rights campaigners gather outside US consulate in Edinburgh

John Mason, who represents Glasgow Shettleston, has been criticised in recent weeks for his defence of anti-abortion “vigils” that have sprung up at Glasgow hospitals.

SNP MSP John Mason criticised for saying clinics ‘push abortion’

Campaigners who are against abortion protest outside Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth Hospital. They will be demonstrating at the hospital for the whole of Lent (Photo: John Devlin).

Majority support buffer zones at Scottish abortion clinics, poll shows

Members of the 40 Days For Life group, campaigners who are against abortion, protest outside Glasgow's QEUH.

Impact of abortion clinic protests to be examined by Scottish ministers

Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy has criticised attacks by a lobby group on a job advert.

Not allowing disabled people to self-id leads to 'ridicule and intrusion', says ...

Lucy Grieve co-founder and director of Back Off Scotland

Councils can't implement 'buffer zones' legal experts rule

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appointed Malcolm Offord as a minister in the Scotland Office.

Unelected millionaire given peerage and Scottish ministerial role by UK Gov

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Scotland has failed to meet its latest target for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the latest official figures show. Picture: John Giles/PA Wire

Fail: Scotland misses climate target

Pro-independence protesters with Scottish Saltire flags (top) march for Scottish independence. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Yousaf: Growing popular support for Yes the only way to Scottish independence

Nadine Dorries. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

SNP MP cleared of bullying Nadine Dorries

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