A Glasgow MSP has been lambasted for claiming clinics "push abortion with out laying out the professionals and cons".
Jason Mason's latest assist for anti-abortion vigils exterior hospitals has sparked fury amongst pro-choice campaigners.
The SNP member, who represents Glasgow Shettleston, mentioned abortion was "seldom important or important" after attending one of many controversial occasions.
Activists who've gathered on the vigils have been noticed with indicators that learn 'ladies do remorse abortion' and 'select life'.
On Saturday, Mason, whereas partaking on Twitter across the topic, mentioned: "Absolutely these indicators are very light and providing assist?
"I don't see something hateful or harassing about these indicators."
When requested if he believed the ladies searching for an abortion ought to be requested how they really feel, he added: "Sure completely. That's the key.
"However the concern is that the clinics usually are not at all times asking the ladies how they really feel. Some clinics appear to be pushing abortion with out laying out the professionals and cons."
The difficulty has come to the fore in latest months, leading to Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay searching for to legislate at Holyrood for buffer zones, in addition to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and girls's well being minister Maree Todd being urged to behave.
The First Minister has repeatedly condemned the vigils, urging protesters as an alternative to come back to parliament to voice their opposition to abortion, and has arrange a working group to evaluate the authorized viability of buffer zones.
Professional-choice campaigners are calling for 150 metre 'buffer zones' - or protest-free areas - round healthcare amenities that present abortion providers throughout Scotland.
They consider the transfer is critical to guard ladies from harassment by pro-life campaigners close to clinics.
Lucy Grieve, the co-founder and director of Again Off Scotland, mentioned: "John Mason's false claims are extremely harmful and ignorant.
"This is identical elected official that admitted attending anti-choice protests at Scottish hospitals.
"He clearly has no thought what goes on throughout an abortion, and his feedback are offensive to abortion suppliers and their sufferers."
Scottish Labour Deputy chief Jackie Baillie went on to explain the feedback from Mr Mason as "baseless".
"That is an insult to all the ladies who've needed to make this tough resolution and all of the hardworking NHS workers who've supported them by it," she mentioned.
"Ladies have a proper to entry abortion, and they need to have the ability to take action with out harassment and intimidation.
"Nicola Sturgeon has given loads of heat phrases on this however no motion, it's time for her to indicate the management wanted and introduce buffer zones, in addition to stopping her MSPs spreading damaging falsehoods."
Whereas, Labour MSP Monica Lennon urged Nicola Sturgeon to take motion over the difficulty.
She mentioned: "That is past the pale, even for John Mason MSP.
"For the sake of ladies and folks needing abortion healthcare and the professionals who look after them, @NicolaSturgeon and @theSNP should set the report straight and take motion."
Scottish Liberal Democrat chief Alex Cole-Hamilton mentioned: "John Mason's ridiculous assertions betray the truth that he does not actually have a clue what some persons are going by.
"Ladies ought to be capable to entry these providers with out harassment.
"The Scottish Authorities must get on with introducing buffer zones. The fitting place for protest is exterior parliament, not a medical facility."
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