AN MSP has been accused of a “shameful stunt" after lodging a motion saying “some people do not consider that a baby is a baby prior to 24 weeks” in response to the launch of a memorial book.
Last week, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the Scottish Government – in partnership with the National Records of Scotland – would be launching a baby loss memorial book for those who have experienced a pregnancy or baby loss prior to 24 weeks.
In response to this, SNP MSP John Mason – well known for his anti-abortion views – has lodged a written motion welcoming the book but has been blasted for the way in which the motion also appears to play down the pain women suffer when losing a baby in the early stages of pregnancy.
Many have accused him of using the launch of the book as a means to attack women’s reproductive rights.
Rosa Zambonini, who lost her child during pregnancy, said on Twitter she cried for “over an hour” after reading Mason’s motion, which has so far only been supported by Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour.
The motion states: “That the Parliament notes and welcomes the launch of a Baby Loss Memorial Book to mark a pregnancy or baby loss prior to 24 weeks; believes, however, that, in the case of abortion, some people do not consider that a baby is a baby prior to 24 weeks and use terms such as foetus, rather than baby; considers that it is a tragedy when any baby loses its life before birth, whether because of miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or abortion, and hopes for what it sees as more equality for all unborn babies in the future.”
Mason has been vocal about his opposition to Green MSP Gillian Mackay’s Safe Access Zones Bill, which would see so-called “buffer zones” established around abortion clinics to protect women seeking a termination from harassment or intimidation.
Last week I shared this photo of my wee baby and what the baby loss memorial book will do for women like me. I turned my work laptop on at 7am to see a motion from an MSP using this to point score for their extreme pro life agenda. I’ve cried for over an hour. 1/6 https://t.co/1OZQGrDDfS
— Rosa Zambonini (@RosaZambonini) March 22, 2023
Zambonini shared a scan of her baby on social media last week following the announcement of the book, thanking Sturgeon for giving women like her the chance to register their loss.
She then accused Mason of “point scoring” for his “extreme pro-life agenda”.
She tweeted: “Last week I shared this photo of my wee baby and what the baby loss memorial book will do for women like me. I turned my work laptop on at 7am to see a motion from an MSP using this to point score for their extreme pro life agenda. I’ve cried for over an hour.
“Women who chose to have a termination face extreme loss and are often supported through baby loss communities because as women we understand no woman faces that moment of termination without an agonising range of emotions.
“Any loss of pregnancy regardless of circumstance has a profound and lasting impact on every woman. It is a life-changing moment and should never ever be weaponised.
“I would like to apologise to the various groups, and women, who worked so hard to ensure the baby memorial book was launched and who may feel similarly saddened that it was somehow used as a weapon.”
Disgusting to see John Mason using the Baby Loss Memorial Book, something meant to bring a tiny amount of comfort to those who suffered through the loss & bereavement of miscarriage, as a means to attack women's access to reproductive rights and push his forced birth views.
— William G. Saraband :waving_black_flag::flag-pt::waving_white_flag::rainbow: (@wgsaraband) March 22, 2023
Zambonini added she would “not let this lie” and was considering her next steps.
Labour MSP Monica Lennon said it was a “shameful stunt” by Mason.
Renfrewshire SNP councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, meanwhile, branded the move an “absolute disgrace”.
She said: “I won’t post the motion, but John Mason’s attempt to use the very humane move of introducing a baby loss book to reinforce his (completely out of step with society) views on abortion is an absolute disgrace that will cause harm.”
When approached by The National for further comment, Mason said: "I absolutely welcome the Baby Loss Memorial Book and hope it is a comfort to those who have suffered such a tragic loss.
"However, when I was thinking about it, it struck me that from the baby’s perspective, the end of his or her life, whatever the reason is a tragedy.
"So I am just putting forward the thought that we should not distinguish between the loss of some babies over others. All baby losses are tragedies and all the parents deserve our respect and support."
