POLICE have confirmed a fringe political party that held an abortion protest in Aberdeen did break the buffer zone law.
The Scottish Family Party shared a video online of two women confronting protesters at its event on Saturday night, where a light display was set up on the ground to mark the numbers of abortions in Scotland last year.
One woman ended up on the floor after she took a placard.
After a cut in the video, she was seen on the ground surrounded by two men, one of whom snatched the placard out of her hands. She can then be heard to say "get your f****** hands off me now".
Another woman kicked the sign down later on after it was put back in place.
Police have since confirmed the protest in Mercat Cross was held within a buffer zone surrounding Aberdeen Community Health and Care Village.
Under the new Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act, anti-abortion protests are prohibited within 200m of a facility offering such treatment. The law remains in place all day, regardless of whether the centre is closed.
Despite this, officers told The National they opted not to take any action on this occasion.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 7.20pm on Saturday, 8 March, 2025, we were called to a report of a group of protesters within the Safe Access Zone in the Castle Street area of Aberdeen.
“Officers attended and engaged with those present.
“No complaints were made.
“Every incident is unique and officers will respond proportionately to reports of anyone breaching Safe Access Zone legislation by engaging with them, explaining the law and encouraging compliance before moving to enforcement if necessary.”
Gillian Mackay, the Green MSP who spearheaded the buffer zone legislation, said she is concerned the misinformation spread by US Vice President JD Vance has empowered "some of the most reactionary and misogynistic forces in our country".
Vance caused uproar last month when he falsely claimed Scots who pray in their homes in buffer zones could be prosecuted.
The Scottish Family Party described their protest as "peaceful and calm" but leader Richard Lucas said he was well aware he was in a buffer zone.
It comes after a woman confronted protesters from 40 Days for Life who gathered near to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital earlier this month, just outside the buffer zone. The protesters are due to be there until Easter Sunday on April 20.
El Johnstone, who lives nearby, saw the group from her bedroom window before she crossed the road and told the group: “You should be ashamed of yourselves.”
Johnstone added that the buffer zone should be expanded so campaigners cannot be in the vicinity of the hospital.
